7. Implementation
a. North Idaho College will use both informal and/or formal procedures to investigate in a
prompt, timely, and confidential manner, each complaint of sexual harassment.
1. Because complaints of sexual harassment might be brought that have no merit,
procedures should be implemented so that students and employees are protected
against false and mischievous complaints.
2. North Idaho College requires that the rights and concerns of both complainant and
accused be fully assured. The college shall make every effort to assure and protect these
rights, and shall undertake no action that threatens or compromises them.
b. Prompt, appropriate, corrective action will be taken against any employee or student of North
Idaho College who violates this policy.
1. Violation of this policy will lead to disciplinary action which is appropriate to the
circumstances and which addresses the goal of prompt and effective action to stop
sexual harassment. Such disciplinary action shall follow the principles of progressive
discipline.
Depending on the circumstances, and following due process, the punishment may
include, but is not limited to, verbal and written reprimands, suspension with pay,
suspension without pay, demotion, expulsion, or dismissal.
2. Persons with supervisor’s responsibilities for employees/students are expected to report
and/or to take appropriate supervisory action when they know of sexual harassment.
STATEMENT ON HARASSMENT
Harassment is inconsistent with North Idaho College’s efforts to foster an environment of respect for
the dignity and worth of all members of the College community. Therefore, harassment of any kind is
unacceptable. Moreover, many forms of harassment have been recognized by the U.S. Office of Civil
Rights and by the courts as violations of the civil rights laws.
Harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct which has the intent or effect of (1) unreasonably
interfering with an individual’s or a group’s educational and/or work performance at NIC or (2) creating
an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational and work environment on or off campus. Harassment
includes discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, or national
origin. Harassment also includes discrimination against an individual because of a stereotyped group
characteristic or because of the person’s identification with a particular group.
With reference to sexual harassment, the definition also includes unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other physical conduct and expressive behavior of a sexual nature
where submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual’s employment or education. Sexual harassment, which is a form of sex discrimination, may
range from sexual innuendoes made at inappropriate times, perhaps in the guise of humor, to
coerced sexual relations. Sexual harassment may occur between equals: between students, between
faculty, between staff, between administrators. For example, repeated sexual advances or demeaning
verbal behavior between equals which affects a person’s ability to study or work in the academic
setting constitutes sexual harassment. Harassment at its extreme occurs between unequals; when a
person who is in a position to control, influence, or affects another person’s job, career, or grades
uses his or her authority and power to coerce that person into sexual relations, or to punish a refusal.
In an academic setting where the integrity of the educational process and the mutual respect of
faculty, students, and administrators are so important, the sexual harassment of a student by a
teacher or administrator is an especially serious problem.
Any member of the NIC community who believes that he /she has been harassed is encouraged to
raise the issue, or lodge a complaint, in accordance with the established grievance procedures of
NIC. This policy applies to all students enrolled at NIC, to all NIC employees, and to all individuals
using NIC facilities or equipment on and off of the Coeur d’Alene campus.
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