It is the policy of Raritan Valley Community College to provide employees and students with an environment free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is a violation of both state and federal law, and the College will not tolerate any employee or student, male or female, sexually harassing another individual in any way.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, by either a male or female toward either a man or female or group, when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or status in a course, program or activity; or

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment or educational decisions affecting an individual; or

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working/learning environment.

Sexual harassment refers to behavior that is not welcome, that is personally offensive, that fails to respect the rights of others and that, therefore, interferes with the individual’s work/learning effectiveness. Sexual harassment may take different forms. One specific form is the demand for sexual favors. Other forms of harassment include, but are not limited to:

Verbal Comments of a sexual nature, including innuendos,
suggestive comments, jokes, propositions, threats, and
degrading/discriminating/stereotypical words; comments
directed primarily at one’s sex.

Nonverbal Sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic
commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering,
whistling, obscene gestures.

Physical Unwanted physical contact, including touching,
pinching, brushing the body, or pushing.
Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures

Whatever form it takes, sexual harassment is insulting and demeaning to the recipient, and will not be tolerated at the College. All employees – administrators, faculty and staff alike – are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from sexual harassment. Students, as well, are expected to comply with this policy and to take appropriate measures to ensure that such conduct does not occur. Employees or students who violate this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion.

Any employee who believes that she/he has been sexually harassed by a supervisor or co-worker, or by anyone else associated with the College, or who believes that another employee is being subjected to sexual harassment, should report the matter immediately to the Executive Director of Human Resources so that appropriate corrective action may be taken. An employee who, because of her/his specific circumstances, does not feel that the Executive Director of Human Resources can properly investigate the matter, may report the situation, instead, to an alternate staff member designated by the President.

Any student who believes that she/he has been the subject of sexual harassment or who believes that another student is being sexually harassed, should report the situation immediately to the Dean of Academic Services and/or Director of Counseling so that appropriate corrective action may be taken. A student who, because of her/his specific circumstances, does not feel that the Dean of Academic Services and/or Director of Counseling can properly investigate the matter, may report the situation, instead, to an alternate staff member designated by the President.

Following a complaint of sexual harassment, an investigation will be undertaken by the College. The College will, to the maximum extent feasible, maintain the confidentiality of all complaints on a need-to-know basis. However, an adequate investigation of such complaints generally will require disclosure to the accused party and other witnesses in order to gather pertinent facts.

No retaliatory measures will be taken against any student or any employee who complains of sexual harassment. Likewise, no retaliatory actions will be taken against any individual who assists or cooperates with the College in its investigation of sexual harassment complaints.

Any employee or student who has reported a violation but does not feel that appropriate corrective action has been taken, should set forth in writing: 1) a description of the incident or incidents of sexual harassment, 2) the response, if any, taken by the Executive Director of Human Resources, Dean of Academic Services and/or Director of Counseling or their alternates, and 3) the response the employee or student believes would be appropriate. She/He should forward the information to the

Raritan Valley Community College
http://www.raritanval.edu/info/employment/SexualHarassment.html
Last updated 1/15/2009 by CDW