Section 3.21
Date:    October, 1989 (revised)

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

I.            PURPOSE:

               To establish a procedure at the University of Rhode Island which affirms that women and men are to
               be treated by all (administrators, faculty, staff, and students) with respect and dignity.  Any form of
               sexual harassment contradicts this policy.

II.           DEFINITION:

                By sexual harassment, it is meant that any unsolicited non-reciprocal behavior which asserts a person 
               sex role over his/her function as an employee, student, or peer. It includes any unwanted sexual behavior,
               comments, suggestions, or physical contact imposed upon an individual or a group by any other(s).

III.          POLICY:

                1.    In addition to violating the University's Policy of Conduct, sexual harassment is a form of sex
                      discrimination and is prohibited by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as amended and Title IX
                      of the 1972 Amendments to the Higher Education Act.

                2.    The University will take prompt action to correct instances of sexual harassment, such as, 
                       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 evaluation in making academic or personnel decisions affecting an individual; or (3) such conduct
                       has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance or creating an
                       intimidating, hostile, or offensive University environment.

                3.    The incident should be reported to the Assistant Vice President for Human Resource Administration
                       or the Affirmative Action office within 10 days of the occurrence, who shall take prompt action to
                       investigate and redress sexual harassment, and any retaliation against persons who bring complaints of
                       sexual harassment is prohibited and will render a decision within 30 days.

                       All persons who feel that they may have been victims of or witness to sexual harassment are 
                       encouraged to seek redress through their collective bargaining agreement, through the grievance
                       procedure for non-union employees (as outlined in Section 3.11 of the University Human Resource
                       Administration Manual), through the University Student Judicial System, or by following the
                       the relative administrative process of the University. For appropriate reason(s) one may skip
                       any  level in the process. The University official to whom the report has been made shall
                       promptly attempt to resolve the complaint or, if formal action is necessary, shall obtain a written
                       complaint, arrange for a hearing(s) to be held and for a decision to be rendered.  This will be done,
                       under most circumstances, within 30 days of the receipt of the complaint.  All University Officials
                       receiving reports of sexual harassment shall report the same (in a manner so as not to identify the
                       complainant or alleged harasser if the complainant so requests) to the Special Assistant to the
                       President for Affirmative Action.

                        The University recognized that some person may, for a variety of reasons, be reluctant to follow
                        the procedures outlined above without the advice and counsel of a sympathetic disinterested party.
                        The following resources are available to provide assistance and information to anyone concerned
                        about an incident(s) of sexual harassment:

•          Office of the President (874-2444)

•         Director, Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity and Diversity (874-2442)

•         URI Counseling Center (874-2288)

•         Student Senate Affirmative Action Office (874-2261)

•         University Ombudsman (874-2863)

•         Office of Student Life  (874-2101)         

•           Women's Center (874-2097)

•          Director of Health Services (874-2246)

•          College of Continuing Education - Department of Student
          Services/Counseling (277-3820) Assistant Dean (277-3814)

        4.     If formal charges are brought against an employee, the complaint must be reduced to writing and
              signed by the complainant.