Federal law requires that all educational programs annually provide their students with certain information concerning sexual harassment. The following contains that information.
Sexual harassment is illegal. It is defined as “unwelcome” sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic standing;
- submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting such individual; or:
- such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning employment or educational environment.
It is important to remember that even if behavior is not intended to be offensive or harassing, if it is perceived as such, it may be considered sexual harassment.
If you believe you have been subjected to sexual harassment, you should notify the Title IX Coordinator at once. If the Title IX Coordinator is not available, or if the complaint involves the Title IX Coordinator, contact the President of the College.
Your complaint will be treated seriously and held in confidence. The individual investigating your complaint will speak only with those individuals who must be contacted in order to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.
Your complaint will be heard via the “Fair Treatment Policy & Procedure”. If any individual who has a role in any step of the Fair Treatment Policy & Procedure is the subject of the complaint, that step will be eliminated from the process for purposes of hearing the complaint. (See Student Fair Treatment Policy & Procedure.)
The Maine Human Rights Commission has a procedure for investigating and responding to complaints including charges of sexual harassment. The Maine Human Rights Commission can be contacted by calling 624-6290 or in writing at: State House, Station 51, Augusta, Maine 04333.
Any individual, who files a complaint of sexual harassment via the Maine Human Rights Commission, or through the Fair Treatment Policy & Procedure, will be protected from retaliation.
Approved:______________________________________________________________________
Monika Bissell, DBA
President