Harper College offices will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.
Harper College prohibits all forms of gender-based and sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment) which unreasonably interfere with, deny, or limit someone’s ability to participate in or benefit from a Harper College educational program, activity, or employment. This policy applies to behavior exhibited by students, employees, visitors, and any other person affecting the campus community. Violations of the policy may occur between individuals or groups of individuals of any sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, gender, or sex. Where “gender/sex” is used below, the term is intended to be reflective of actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, gender, sexual orientation, and/or sex. Prohibited behaviors are defined as:
a. Sexual harassment: Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual assault and other acts of sexual violence. This includes:
b. Non-Consensual Sexual Contact: Any intentional sexual touching, however slight and with any object or body part, that is without consent and/or by force or coercion. This includes intentional contact with breasts, buttocks, groin, mouth, or genitals, as well as any other intentional bodily contact that occurs in a sexual manner.
c. Non-Consensual Sexual Intercourse: Any sexual penetration or copulation, however slight and with any object or body part that is without consent and/or by force or coercion. Intercourse includes anal or vaginal penetration by a penis, object, tongue, or finger, and oral copulation (mouth and genital/anal contact), no matter how slight the penetration or contact.
d. Sexual Exploitation: Taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of an individual to benefit anyone other than the person being exploited. Examples include: invading privacy, video or audio recording of sexual acts without consent, knowingly transmitting a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), sexually-based stalking or bullying, or exposing one’s genitals.
e. Intimate Relationship Violence: violence or the threat of violence between those in a sexual and/or comparably personal and private relationship, including:
f. Stalking: two or more acts directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to fear for her, his, or others’ safety, or to suffer substantial emotional distress. Examples include: repetitive and/or menacing pursuit, following, harassment, or other interference with the peace and/or safety of another person or that of his or her immediate family members.
g. Other Gender-Based Misconduct: Physical harm, extreme verbal abuse, or other conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on the basis gender/sex. This includes hazing and bullying, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.
(This information and the campus policy is adapted from the ATIXA Gender-Based and Sexual Misconduct Policy by the National Center for Higher Education Risk Management (NCHERM) and the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA), 2011).
Campus Policy