Student Handbook

Sexual Harassment is a form of sexual discrimination that violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, as clarified by the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988. Sexual harassment takes many forms, from constant joking to physical assault. It includes sexually oriented verbal kidding or abuse, including derogatory or dehumanizing gender references, such as whistling, catcalls or sexual remarks or jokes. It may be subtle overt pressure for sexual activity; physical contact such as patting, pinching or constant brushing against another’s body. Sexual violence refers to physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim ’s use of drugs or alcohol. A number of different acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery and sexual coercion. All such acts of sexual violence are forms of sexual harassment covered under Title IX. Hostile environment is unwelcoming and demeaning behavior that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment, or unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance. For Title IX purposes, the conduct must be sufficiently serious that it adversely affects (denies or limits) a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the school’s program based on sex. Pursuant to SUNY policy, the College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment and access to services, programs and activities, without regard to an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status or criminal conviction. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the College community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law, or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. The College’s policy is in accordance with federal and state laws and regulations prohi biting discrimination and harassment. These laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as Amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, and the New York State Human Rights Law. These laws prohibit discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and sexual violence. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and other laws, regulations and policies prohibiting discrimination may be directed to Title IX Coordinator:

Mrs. Guerda Fils, director of human resources and affirmative action Phone: (212) 938-5883 Email: gfils@sunyopt.edu

39