Page 70 - Illinois Tech Student Handbook 2022-23

sexual harassment.
2. Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct or communications as defined and otherwise prohibited by local, state and federal law. Sexual harassment can be overt and unambiguous or subtle and indirect. Sexual misconduct, as defined in Section N of this Article, and Title IX Sexual Harassment, as defined in Article III, Section, are forms of sexual harassment. (As a reminder, complaints of and the investigation, adjudication and sanction of Title IX Sexual Harassment are exclusively handled pursuant to the processes and procedures set forth in Article III.) In general, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or sexually-directed remarks constitute harassment when either:
1. The conduct directed against an individual persists despite its rejection; or
2. Submission to the conduct is used or threatened to be used as the basis for academic or employment decisions or is accompanied by an offer or reward or threats of reprisal.
Sexual harassment can take many forms. Some of these are overt and unambiguous, while others may be more subtle and indirect. Direct forms of sexual harassment include sexual assault and sexual advances accompanied by an offer or reward or threats of reprisal. Such behavior constitutes serious misconduct, and a single incident may well establish grounds for a complaint. Other forms of sexual harassment include sexual advances, physical or verbal, that are repeated and unwanted. Sexual harassment can also include behavior or a pattern of behavior that creates a hostile environment, which generally includes harassing conduct that is sufficiently severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it alters the conditions of employment or limits, interferes with or denies educational benefits or opportunities, from both the perspectives of the person reporting harassment and from a reasonable person’s standard.
Romantic relationships that might be appropriate in other contexts may, within a university, create the appearance or fact of an abuse of power or of undue advantage. Moreover, even when both parties have consented at the outset to a romantic involvement, such consent does not preclude a subsequent charge of sexual harassment against the instructor or supervisor.
3. Possible Individual Actions Other than Complaint
With respect to students, in circumstances where it would not jeopardize personal safety, job status or academic status, a student subjected to unwelcome attention may communicate clearly to the offender that the behavior is not welcomed and should cease immediately.
Questions regarding the Sexual Harassment policy can be directed to:
The Title IX Coordinator, 312.567.5725, foster@iit.edu;
The Director of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 312.567.3134; jdiemer@iit.edu
The Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, 312.567.3080, kstetz@iit.edu; or
The Assistant Dean for Academic Administration and Student Affairs at Chicago-Kent 312.906.5289, ssowle@kentlaw.iit.edu.
4. Making a Complaint; Investigatory Possibilities
A student who believes that they were subject to sexual harassment may file a complaint alleging violation(s) of this Policy with the Title IX Coordinator, or Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs (contact information for both is noted above), or online at www.iit.edu/incidentreport. The privacy of the student- reporting party and those accused of violating this Policy will be protected throughout proceedings to the extent possible, and proceedings, meetings and hearings concerning harassment will, consistent with the relevant policies pursuant to which they are conducted, be closed. All reasonable measures will be taken to assure that no one involved in any complaint, investigation, or remedy shall suffer retaliation as a result of the proceedings, as Illinois Tech policy expressly forbids any such retaliation. Action will generally not be initiated without the consent of the reporting party. However, Illinois Tech must retain, and hereby retains, the right to conduct an investigation without the consent of the reporting party if it determines that such investigation is necessary to protect the interests of others or Illinois Tech or to maintain the educational environment. A reporting party who wishes to proceed with their complaint has two options: informal
Student Planner 68