Campus Policy

William Rainey Harper College is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and other misconduct on the basis of sex, which includes sexual orientation and gender-related identity. The College prohibits all forms of sex-based misconduct, including but not limited to sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The College also prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender-related identity and expression, pregnancy, and parental status under its Equal Educational Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policies.

It is the policy of William Rainey Harper College to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (“VAWA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”), the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, and all other applicable laws and local ordinances regarding unlawful sex-based discrimination, harassment or other misconduct.

This Policy applies to students, employees, appointees, or third-parties, whenever the misconduct occurs:

On College property; or
Off College property if:

The conduct was in connection with a College or College-recognized program or activity; or
The conduct may have the effect of creating a hostile environment for a member of the College community.

Individuals found to have engaged in prohibited sex-based misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination and/or expulsion from the College.

Title IX Compliance

As required under Title IX, the College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates. This requirement not to discriminate extends to admission and employment.

The College has designated the Dean of Students and Employee Relations Manager as the Title IX Coordinators, responsible for coordinating the College’s efforts to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and 34 C.F.R. Part 106 may be directed to the College’s Title IX Coordinators, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Education, or both.

Retaliation Prohibited

Any form of retaliation, including intimidation, threats, harassment and other adverse action taken or threatened against any complainant or person reporting sex discrimination, sexual harassment or other sex-based misconduct, or against any person cooperating in the investigation of allegations of sex-based misconduct (including testifying, assisting or participating in any manner in an investigation), is strictly prohibited. Whistleblower protections are also be available under the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, the Whistleblower Act, and/or the Illinois Human Rights Act.

Implementing Procedures

The College will establish, maintain and publish procedures implementing this Policy, which set forth:

The scope and jurisdiction of the College’s prohibition on sex-based misconduct;
Definitions of prohibited conduct;
Responsibilities of and contact information for the College’s Title IX Coordinators identified as the Dean of Students and Employee Relations Manager;
Options for assistance following an incident of sex-based discrimination, harassment or other misconduct;
Procedures for reporting and confidentially disclosing alleged sex-based misconduct;
The College’s response to reports of alleged sex-based misconduct;
The College’s grievance process for complaints alleging Title IX sexual harassment and/or alleging sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking;
Prevention and education programming provided to College students; and
Training and education provided to the Title IX Coordinator(s), campus law enforcement, campus security, and anyone else involved in the receipt of reports of, responding to, investigating or adjudicating alleged incidents of sexual discrimination, harassment or other misconduct, or involved in the referral or provision of services to survivors.

Comprehensive information about the College’s disciplinary procedures can be found in the Student Code of Conduct and in the Human Resources Procedures, both of which can be found online. Additional information can be found at the following:

There may also be behaviors (such as an isolated inappropriate comment) that are offensive or cause discomfort but do not constitute a policy violation or warrant disciplinary action by the College; In these situations, the College can still provide supportive resources and avenues for feedback and education. For more information, visit the Title IX website.

Violations of this policy or knowingly making a false report may result in disciplinary action.

Any claim of sexual discrimination, harassment, and/or misconduct may be confidentially reported to one of the College’s designated Title IX Coordinators, or, in the case of an employee, his or her supervisor. The contact information for the College’s designated Title IX Coordinators is listed on the College’s website, under the page titled “Title IX/Sexual Misconduct”. Claims of sexual discrimination, harassment, and/or misconduct may also be made by e-mailing the designated Title IX Coordinators at titleIX@harpercollege.edu. In addition, individuals covered by this policy have a right to file claims of sexual discrimination and harassment with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.