IU Sexual Harassment Policy

Policy Against Sexual Harassment

By Action of The Trustees of Indiana University

(for further clarity on what constitutes sexual harassment see our Preventing Sexual Harassment tutorial)

Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of federal and state law. Indiana University does not tolerate sexual harassment of its faculty, staff or students. Individuals who believe they are the victims of sexual harassment, as well as those who believe they have observed sexual harassment, are strongly urged to report such incidents promptly. Indiana University will investigate every sexual harassment complaint in a timely manner and, when there is a finding of sexual harassment, take corrective action to stop the harassment and prevent the misconduct from recurring. The severity of the corrective action, up to and including discharge or expulsion of the offender, will depend on the circumstances of the particular case.

Once a person in a position of authority at Indiana University has knowledge, or should have had knowledge, of conduct constituting sexual harassment, the university is exposed to liability. Therefore, any administrator, supervisor, manager or faculty member who is a ware of sexual harassment and condones it, by action or inaction, is subject to disciplinary action.

A. Definitions

Following federal guidelines, Indiana University defines sexual harassment as follows:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic advancement;
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis of for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment.

B. Application

This University policy is designed to protect all members of the University community. It applies to relationships among peers as well as to superior/subordinate relationships. It also applies to all individuals, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.

C. Provisions

1. Faculty, staff and students have the right to raise the issue of sexual harassment. Further harassment against complainants or retaliation against complainants or others who participate in the investigation of a complaint will not be tolerated. Appropriate and prompt disciplinary or remedial action will be taken against persons found to be engaging in such further harassment.
2. The university will deal with reports of sexual harassment in a fair and thorough manner, which includes protecting, to the extent possible and to the extent permitted by law, the privacy and reputational interests of the accusing and accused parties.
3. Education is the best tool for the prevention and elimination of sexual harassment. Each dean, director, department chair, and/or administrative officer is responsible within his/her area of jurisdiction for the implementation of this policy, including its dissemination and explanation.
4. It is the obligation and shared responsibility of all members of the University community to adhere to this policy.

D. Enforcement Principles

Enforcement and implementation of this sexual harassment policy will observe the following principles:

1. Each campus must have procedures–consistent with notions of due process–for implementing this policy including where complaints are made, who investigates complaints, how complaints are resolved, what procedures are available for appeal, and how records are kept.
2. The Campus Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity shall serve as a resource with regard to interpretation of sexual harassment guidelines.
3. Confidentiality of information relating to investigations of complaints of sexual harassment shall be maintained to the extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances and to the extent permitted by law. Individuals charged with implementing this policy shall share information with regard to given incidents of sexual harassment only with those who have a “need to know” in order to implement this policy.
4. Investigations must be conducted promptly and thoroughly.
5. Whether a particular actions constitute sexual harassment will be determined from the facts, on a case-by-case basis. The University will look at the record as a whole, as well as the context in which the alleged misconduct occurred.
6. Both the charging party and the respondent will be notified of the outcome of the investigation.
7. In the event it is found that sexual harassment has occurred, corrective action, up to and including discharge or expulsion of the offender, will be taken through the appropriate channels of the university. The corrective action will reflect the severity and persistence of the harassment, as well as the effectiveness of previous remedial action. In addition, the university will make follow-up inquiries to ensure the harassment has not resumed and the complainant has not suffered retaliation.