University Policies

Affirmative Action Home Page

• University Policy Statement



• Sexual Harassment Policy

University Policy Statement

      The following policy statement appears in all major publications and is published in the staff and student newspapers semi-annually:

      "It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island not to discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or discriminate against disabled and Vietnam era veterans in the recruitment, admission or treatment of students, the recruitment, hiring or treatment of faculty and staff, and in the operation of its activities and programs, as specified by State and Federal Laws, including the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments to the Higher Education Act, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Sections 503/504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other laws which pertain to access and equity.

      The University of Rhode Island is committed to the principles of Affirmative Action and the attainment of Equal Employment and Equal Educational opportunities for all qualified individuals. The Director of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Diversity has been designated by the President as the person who shall have overall responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of such programs. For further information, please contact the Affirmative Action Office at (401) 874-2442."

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Sexual Harassment Policy

      The University of Rhode Island prohibits all forms of sexual harassment.  Sexual harassment is sex discrimination and is unlawful according to Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Executive Order 11246, Rhode Island General Laws and University of Rhode Island Policy.  This prohibition applies equal to male and female staff, faculty, students, to all other persons on the premises subject to University control and to those engaged to further the interests of the University.  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 instruction, employment, or otherwise full participation in University life;

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for decisions related to employment or academic performance or progress; 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 work, residential or academic environment.

      Sexual harassment includes verbal and physical behaviors that range from sexual gestures or teasing to sexual assault.  Verbal sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, sexual remarks, comments, jokes and innuendoes, whistles and cat calls, crude and offensive language, comments on physical attributes, use of demeaning or inappropriate terms, discussion of sexual activities, the posing of personal questions, the spreading of stories about someone's social or sexual life, and propositions or pressure for social or sexual contact.  Physical sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, unwanted touching, patting, grabbing, pinching or hugging, stares, leers or sexual gestures, following someone or blocking their path, the display of sexually explicit or suggestive pictures, sexual assault and rape.

      Members of the campus community who believe they have been the victim of sexual harassment and wish further information, advice or assistance in the filing of a complaint, should contact:

      The University will investigate complaints of sexual harassment pursuant to the Non-Discrimination Complaint Procedures.  Those who are found to have engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action which may range from remedial education to suspension and termination.  Retaliatory action of any kind by any member of the University community against individuals who bring complaints of sexual harassment or individuals who are cooperating in the investigation of a complaint is prohibited and shall be regarded as a separate and distinct violation of community standards and the University's Nondiscrimination Policy.

      The University recognizes that some persons may, for a variety of reasons, be reluctant to file a complaint without the advice or counsel of a sympathetic party.  The following resources are available to provide assistance and information to anyone concerned about incident(s) of sexual harassment:

      Members of the University community who believe they are the victim of sexual harassment may also choose to seek redress through any of the following outside agencies:

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URL:  http://www.uri.edu/affirmative_action/univ_policies.html