What is Discrimination and Harassment?
Discrimination is conduct based on an individual’s Protected Status that is an unlawful or otherwise prohibited preference for, or detrimental treatment of, one individual compared to other individuals. Discriminatory Harassment is a type of Discrimination that occurs when unwelcome verbal, physical, electronic, or other conduct based on Protected Status is severe or pervasive enough to interfere with an individual’s: educational environment (e.g., admission, academic standing, grades, assignments); work environment (e.g., hiring, advancement, assignments); participation in a University program or activity (e.g., campus housing); or, receipt of legitimately-requested services (e.g., disability, pregnancy, religious accommodations), thereby creating Hostile Environment or Quid Pro Quo.
Examples
Discrimination
- Refusing to hire or promote someone because of their membership in a protected class.
- Denying someone a tangible employment benefit, such as a raise or a bonus, because of their membership in a protected class;
- Reducing someone’s job responsibilities because of their membership in a protected class;
- Denying someone access to an educational program based on their membership in a protected class;
- Denying someone access to a University facility based on their membership in a protected class.
Harassment
- Offensive jokes related to a protected class.
- Use of slurs and stereotypes related to a protected class.
- Intimidation, ridicule, or mockery connected to a protected class.
- Displaying or circulating offensive objects and pictures that are based on a protected class.
Reporting Obligations
All employees are required to report any information that may indicate the occurrence of Prohibited Conduct to The Office of Access and Opportunity: Equal Opportunity as promptly as possible, but in no event after forty-eight (48) hours (2 business days) with the exception of confidential employees acting in an official confidential role, such as University counseling services, Ombuds, Student Health Service, pastoral counselors, and Student Legal Services.
How to Report
Report Discrimination & Harassment