Non-Discrimination, Non-Harassment, and Title IX
Non-Discrimination Policy
Northeastern Seminary complies with all applicable non-discrimination and non-harassment laws. There shall be no discrimination against any student on any basis. This non-discrimination and non-harassment policy applies to all educational policies and programs.
Non-Harassment Policy
It is the Seminary’s policy that all employees and students should be able to enjoy and work in an educational environment free from harassment of any nature. Therefore, harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, or any basis prohibited by applicable laws violates this policy. Harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual and that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment, or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or academic performance.
Further, It is the policy of Northeastern Seminary to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and has adopted the guidelines outlined in the “Dear Colleague Letter” of 2011 addressing the issues surrounding Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence on college campuses.
Definitions and Examples of Discrimination and/or Harassment
Discrimination/Harassment
An intentional or unintentional act which adversely affects employment or academic opportunities because of race, color, age, sex, handicap, marital status, national origin, or any basis prohibited by applicable laws. Examples include verbal, non-verbal, written, and/or physical conduct which threatens, intimidates, or coerces another person. This includes taunting, degrading, threatening, or otherwise offensive or hostile remarks or behavior; including slurs, jokes, offensive stereotypes, or any kind of behavior which, in the individual’s opinion, impairs her or his ability to perform her or his responsibilities.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a specific form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Sexual harassment occurs when any of the following occur: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other physical or verbal conduct perceived to be of a sexual nature.
Sexual harassment does not refer to behavior or occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. An employee’s conduct will be considered inappropriate and in violation of this policy when the employee knew or should have known it was unwelcome to the person subjected to it. Sexual harassment may take different forms as noted below.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Verbal/Written: sexually suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, slurs, threats
Non-verbal: sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering, whistling, obscene gestures
Physical: unwanted physical contact, including touching, pinching, brushing the body, non-consensual sexual intercourse, or sexual assault
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual violence) on the basis of gender in any educational programs or activities. The law states that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” The amendment in 1987 expanded the definition of program or activity to include all the operations of an educational institution, government entity or private employer that receives federal funds. Therefore, while Title IX is often associated with athletics, it more broadly covers all aspects of education, including student admissions, activities, employment, discipline, etc.
Appointment of Sexual Harassment, Racial Harassment and Title IX Officers
The Seminary appoints a sexual/racial and ethnic harassment officer who will be directly accessible to members of the faculty, staff, and student body. In addition, the Seminary has a Title IX officer.
These individual’s name can be accessed by calling the office of human resources at 585-594-6260. The harassment officer will work closely with the vice president for administration or director of employee relations on all harassment inquiries and investigations. He/she will investigate allegations of harassment and together with the vice president for administration or director of employee relations determine if harassment occurred or if the accusation was made in bad faith. The harassment officer will also assist the office of human resources in the development of communications regarding harassment and educational efforts to prevent harassment.
Reporting Incidents of Harassment and/or Discrimination
Students who believe they are being subjected to harassment or discrimination should report the matter confidentially to the sexual/racial and ethnic harassment officer, associate vice president for student development, vice president for administration, or any member of the faculty or staff with whom they feel comfortable discussing the matter. If reported to a faculty or staff member, that member of the faculty or staff must report the harassment complaint to the harassment officer or the vice president for administration.
Investigating Harassment, Discrimination or Title IXAllegations
Every harassment complaint will be quickly and thoroughly investigated. Effort will be made to keep complaints as confidential as possible; however, in order to conduct an investigation, some disclosure of information is necessary. At the conclusion of the investigation, the complainant and the accused will be notified in writing of the results.
Dissatisfaction with Resolution of Complaint or Retribution for Reporting or Investigating an Incident
Consistent with the applicable provisions of Seminary policy, the Seminary will take prompt, appropriate disciplinary actions, including possible suspension or termination, against any faculty member, staff member, or student who is deemed to have engaged in harassment or to have made a false accusation of someone.
Northeastern Seminary will not engage in any type of retaliatory action against an individual who brings a harassment or discrimination complaint in good faith. Furthermore, members of the faculty, staff or student body should contact the sexual/racial and ethnic harassment officer or vice president for administration immediately if they believe there has been retaliation against any person who reported or investigated an allegation of harassment or discrimination. In addition, anyone who believes that a complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily should contact the sexual/racial and ethnic harassment officer or vice president for administration.