Because sexual harassment raises issues that are to some extent unique in comparison to other types of harassment, the University believes it warrants separate emphasis. In addition, all RVU employees are required to complete annual Title IX Sexual Misconduct Training.
The University strongly opposes sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual conduct. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:
- Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment.
- Submission to, objection to, or rejection of, such conduct or communication is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting an individual.
- Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
All employees are expected to always conduct themselves in a professional manner. Conduct which may violate this policy includes, but is not limited to, sexually implicit or explicit communications whether in:
- Written form, such as cartoons, posters, calendars, notes, letters, e-mails.
- Verbal form, such as comments, jokes, foul or obscene language of a sexual nature, gossiping or questions about another’s sex life, or repeated unwanted requests for dates.
- Physical gestures and other nonverbal behavior, such as unwelcome touching, grabbing, fondling, kissing, massaging, and brushing up against another’s body.
The full Sexual Harassment Policy can be found in the RVU policy repository - DynamicPolicy at https://policies.rvu.edu