It is the intention of the University to take all necessary actions to prevent, correct, and, where indicated, discipline sexual harassment. Sexual harassment by any member of the University community is prohibited. This prohibition includes peer harassment among students, staff, or faculty. Sexual harassment by a faculty member, instructor, or teaching assistant of a student over whom he or she has authority, or by supervisors of a staff member is particularly serious. Such conduct may easily create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Sexual harassment can take many forms.
Some of these are overt and unambiguous while others may be more subtle and indirect. Direct forms of sexual harassment include sexual assault and sexual advances accompanied by an offer of reward or threats of reprisal. Such behavior constitutes serious misconduct, and a single incident establishes grounds for a complaint. Other forms of sexual harassment include sexual advances, physical or verbal, that are repeated and unwanted. Romantic relationships that might be appropriate in other contexts may, within a university, create the appearance or fact of an abuse of power or of undue advantage.