The free exchange of ideas is at the heart of the educational enterprise, and nothing in this policy should be construed as interfering with the free expression of opinion, in or out of the classroom, nor as narrowing the range of expression permitted in the performing arts. Definition Discrimination may be defined as the denial of equal opportunity to enjoy a full and productive life in the college community to individuals who are, or are perceived to be, different in some way that is unrelated to their ability to take advantage of those opportunities. Comments directed toward an individual, the purpose or reasonably foreseeable effect of which is to denigrate, demean, insult, threaten, intimidate, attack, embarrass, or otherwise injure the person who is the target or subject of those comments. Examples include name-calling and derogatory humor about supposed traits of the group to which that individual belongs. Suggestive or insulting sounds or gestures.
Intoxication is often a factor in incidents of harassment.
However, no form of intoxication shall be used as a defense against charges of harassment, nor shall any form of intoxication be seen as mitigating the seriousness of a charge. Sexual harassment, for example, is a form of illegal sex-based discrimination in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Supervisors are also responsible for preventing harassment among those they supervise. All discrimination and harassment cases will be handled by this Human Rights process. The College s objective is to assure a prompt and effective procedure for all members of the College community who believe they have been subject to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, or disability.