What Is Sexual Harassment?
As defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:
Sexual Harassment Is Illegal
Simply put, sexual harassment is coerced, unethical and unwanted intimacy. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Policy Statement
Lawrence University strives to create a comfortable learning and working atmosphere for all students, faculty, and staff. The academic environment should be one in which students and faculty can expect to engage in the processes of learning and seeking truth within a tradition of mutual trust and respect. To ensure this environment, Lawrence University stresses civility, sensitivity to the feelings of others, and the maintenance of a caring community. Policies are only of limited value in the absence of a positive human relations climate.
Although we hope you never experience sexual harassment, we know it can occur in work and academic environments. Harassment often occurs in situations in which one person or group has power over another, but the University's policy also prohibits harassment by peers among students, staff, or faculty. Sexual harassment of students by faculty members or of staff members by supervisors is particularly serious. Such conduct may create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Sexual harassment by any member of the University community is prohibited. Because those who teach are entrusted with guiding students, giving grades, and writing recommendations, instructors are in a delicate relationship of trust and power. This relationship must not be jeopardized by possible doubts about intent, fairness of professional judgment, or the appearance of favoritism. Thus, the policy states that "... apparently consensual sexual relationships, particularly those between individuals of unequal status, may be or become a violation of this policy. Anyone who engages in a sexual relationship with a person over whom he or she has any degree of power or authority must understand that the degree to which such a relationship is truly mutually consensual can and may be questioned. The University particularly abhors the abuse of power and authority potentially inherent in sexual relationships between faculty members and students, and between staff supervisors and their student employees."
Some Types Of Sexual Harassment
Here are some examples of actions which could be sexual harassment when they are unwelcome and contribute to a hostile environment:
What To Do If You Feel You Have Been Harassed
If you have been or suspect that you have been sexually harassed, you may contact a member of the Sexual Assault and Harassment Resource Board or the following people:
| The Dean of Students | x6530 |
| The Dean of Faculty | x6528 |
| The Dean of the Conservatory | x6614 |
| The Dean of Admissions | x6506 |
| Security | x6999 |
| The Counseling Center | x6574 |
| Residence Hall Directors |
You may contact these people with the confidence that the discussion will lead to no further action; you may then choose whether to make a formal complaint. Student consultation with the staff of the Health and Counseling Center are held completely confidential.
These individuals can explain the University policy and complaint procedures and help you contact appropriate resources. They can give you information about contacting the University's consultants, pursuing informal and formal complaint resolution procedures, and obtaining safe housing, academic assistance, professional counseling, or legal advice.