POLICY STATEMENT ON HARASSMENT

            The University of Connecticut reaffirms that it does not condone harassment directed toward any person or group within its community - students, employees, or visitors.  Every member of the University shall refrain from actions that intimidate, humiliate or demean persons or groups, or that undermine their security or self-esteem.

            Harassment consists of abusive behavior directed toward an individual or group because of race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities (including learning disabilities, mental retardation, past/present history of a mental disorder), or prior conviction of a crime (or similar characteristic).  The University (a) strictly prohibits making submission to harassment either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, performance appraisal, or evaluation of academic performance; and (b) forbids harassment that has the effect of interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

            The University deplores behavior that denigrates others.  All members of the University community are responsible for the maintenance of a social environment in which people are free to work and learn without fear of discrimination and abuse.  The failure of managers at any level to remedy harassment violates this policy as seriously as that of the original discriminatory act.

            Sexual harassment is defined as any unsolicited and unwanted sexual advance, or any other conduct of a sexual nature whereby (a) submission to these actions is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, performance appraisal, or evaluation of academic performance; or (b) these actions have the effect of interfering with an individual's performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

            Examples of sexual harassment in the work place may include all activities that attempt to extort sexual favors, inappropriate touching, suggestive comments, and public display of pornographic or suggestive calendars, posters, or signs.  All forms of sexual harassment and discrimination are considered serious offenses by the University.  Such behavior is particularly offensive when power relationships are involved.

            The University strongly discourages romantic and sexual relationships between faculty and student or between supervisor and employee even when such relationships

appear, or are believed to be, consensual.  The lines of power and authority that exist between the parties may undermine freedom of choice.

Graduate students serving as teaching assistants are well advised to exercise special care in their relationships with students whom they instruct and evaluate as a

power differential clearly exists although teaching assistants do not hold faculty appointments.

            Any person who believes that she or he is being harassed or otherwise subjected to discrimination because of race, color, ethnicity, religious creed, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities (including learning disabilities, mental retardation, past/present history of a mental disorder), or prior conviction of a crime (or similar characteristic), is encouraged to consult the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE).  The office is located in Wood Hall, Unit 2175, 241 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2175; telephone, 860-486-2943.

            Complaints against students are governed by the provisions of the Student Conduct Code rather than this policy.  Any such complaints should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students, Wilbur Cross Building, Room 202, 233 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4062, Storrs, CT 06269-4062; telephone (860) 486-3426.  Any person who believes he or she is a victim of, or witness to, a crime motivated by bigotry or bias should report it to the University of Connecticut Police Department at (860) 486-4800, located at

126 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3070, Storrs, CT 06269-3070.

            Deans, directors, department heads, and supervisors receiving complaints must alert ODE as to the nature of the incident, and may refer the inquirer to the ODE, or seek information on the inquirer's behalf to resolve the complaint.  The anonymity of the complainant and accused may be maintained during the reporting and consultation process.  Other sources of information include the Women's Center, the Office of the Dean of Students, the Simons African-American Cultural Center, the International Center, the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, the Center for Students with Disabilities, the Asian-American Cultural Center, and the Rainbow Center.

            Each office and person involved in advising complainants of sources of assistance must avoid comments that might dissuade victims from pursuing their rights or constitute threats of reprisal.  Such behavior in itself is discriminatory and is a violation of this policy.

Michael Hogan

President