The College is committed to providing equal opportunity and an educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment and terms and conditions of employment of its faculty and staff. The College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. The College is dedicated to ensuring access, fairness and equity for all persons in its educational programs, related activities and employment, including those groups who have faced historical barriers to full and fair integration and participation. The College maintains a continuing commitment to identify and eliminate discriminatory practices in every phase of college operations.
This policy addresses all forms of sexual and gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender in its educational, extracurricular, or other programs or in the context of employment. Gender discrimination is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that provides that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX is enforced by the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Education, which has promulgated regulations explaining and implementing Title IX. Gender discrimination and sexual harassment are also prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Maine Human Rights Act, the regulations of both the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Maine Human Rights Commission, and other applicable statutes.
This policy prohibits sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence against College community members of any gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. This policy also prohibits gender-based harassment that does not involve conduct of a sexual nature. The College also recognizes that harassment related to an individual’s gender, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation can occur in conjunction with misconduct related to an individual’s race, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability or other statuses. Targeting individuals on the basis of these characteristics violates college policy and community principles. Under these circumstances, the college will coordinate the investigation and resolution efforts to address such harassment.
The College, as an educational community, will respond promptly and equitably to reports of sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and any other discriminatory actions in order to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on any individual or the community.
Approved:______________________________________________________________________
Monika Bissell, DBA
President