Sexual Harassment Policy
As an educational institution, the State University of New York at Fredonia is committed to maintaining a campus environment where all members of the academic community are able to work and pursue collegial study in an atmosphere of mutual respect, civility and trust. Any violation of this trust damages the institution’s educational mission by undermining the freedoms of inquiry and expression. We must make it unmistakably clear to every member of the faculty and academic staff, to every employee and every student that sexual harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated here on this campus.
As a form of discrimination, sexual harassment is a violation of both federal and New York State laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and New York Human Rights Act of 1982.
Scope:
This policy applies to all students, administrators, faculty, staff and guests of Fredonia.
All members of the community are encouraged to report any incidents of sexual discrimination or harassment of which they become aware that compromises the well-being of an individual or the campus community.
Defining Sexual Harassment:
Sexual Harassment in the Employment Setting is defined as:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when any of the following occurs:
- Submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of an individual's continued employment, promotion or other condition of employment.
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment decisions affecting an employee or job applicant.
- Such conduct is intended to interfere with an individual's work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
Sexual Harassment in the Educational setting is defined as:
Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment of a student denies or limits, on the basis of gender, the student's ability to participate in or to receive benefits, services, or opportunities in the educational institution's program.
Reporting and Addressing Complaints:
Sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment should be promptly reported to the Title IX Coordinator at the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, 143 Fenton Hall, (716) 673-3358. Any such information provided shall, to the extent possible, be handled in a manner to maintain the privacy of the reporting party(ies). Fredonia students and employees can choose to participate in a SUNY-wide grievance procedure to initiate investigation and potential resolution of a complaint. Detailed information regarding the process, including the complaint form is available on the discrimination complaint procedure website. Use of the internal grievance procedure does not deprive a complainant of the right to file with outside enforcement agencies, such as the New York State Division of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights of the United State Department of Education, and/or the Office of Federal Contract Compliance of the United States Department of Labor.
Harassment shall be found where, in aggregate, the incidents are sufficiently pervasive, or persistent, or severe that a reasonable person, of similar background would be adversely affected to a degree that interferes with their ability to participate in or to realize the intended benefits of an institutional activity, employment, or resource. Should disciplinary action be implemented, or campus judiciary proceedings invoked, it shall be done consistent with the terms and conditions of the governing collective bargaining agreement or campus judicial policy.
An employee or student who participates in the discrimination complaint process, or reports an incident of discrimination due to harassment, has the right to do so without fear of retaliation. If retaliation were to occur, appropriate sanctions or disciplinary action consistent with the terms and conditions of the governing collective bargaining agreement or campus judicial policy shall be followed.
Support Services:
Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – (716) 673-3358 (includes Title IX Coordinator)
University Police – (716) 673-3333
Student Affairs – (716) 673-3271
Judicial Affairs – (716) 673-3271
Counseling Center – (716) 673-3424
Human Resources – (716) 673-3434