Harassment/Sexual Misconduct

Heidelberg University does not and will not tolerate harassment of our students on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disability. The University recognizes the adverse impact of harassment on academic and residential success, and recognizes that those being harassed may personally suffer adverse affects. All students are entitled to an environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. In order to properly educate students about harassment and sexual misconduct, programming is offered in university residence halls and through the office of the Dean of Students. This policy demonstrates the University’s commitment to addressing this important concern.

Harassment

Harassment is physical conduct, verbal conduct or other expressive behavior, including written, pictorial, or electronic expression, that explicitly demeans any person(s) and 1) interferes with education, employment or other University-authorized activity; or 2) creates an intimidating, hostile or demeaning environment for education, University-related work, or other University-authorized activity. It is a violation of University policy to engage in harassment, or to retaliate against anyone bringing forth an honestly perceived complaint of harassment.

Verbal harassment includes, but is not limited to, name calling, slurs, and epithets, jokes or other remarks that demean the victim and/or discourage the individual’s full participation in the University’s community. Physical harassment occurs when a person’s body, possessions, or residence are threatened or abused.

In addition to the preceding definition, harassment refers to behavior that is not welcome, which is particularly offensive, which debilitates morale and which therefore interferes with the work, academic effectiveness, or living environment of its victims, their co-workers or peers.

Harassment of students will not be tolerated. Students who have questions about harassment or who wish to discuss a complaint should contact the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students office. Students are also free to contact the Tiffin City Police Department to file appropriate charges. If the case cannot be resolved at this level, the appropriate grievance procedure will be employed. Students charged with harassment will be referred to the appropriate judicial body.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual misconduct, in a college setting, is “non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature,” such as acts using force, threat, intimidation, or advantage gained by the offended person’s mental or physical incapacity or impairment of which the offending person was aware or should have been aware.

Investigation Procedures

Sexual misconduct between students will be investigated by the office of the Dean of Students. Sexual misconduct between students and staff or students and faculty will be jointly investigated by the appropriate Vice Presidents. Students are also free to contact the Tiffin City Police Department to file appropriate charges.

All complaints will be investigated in a timely and responsible manner. Students charged with harassment or sexual misconduct will be referred to the appropriate judicial body. Confidentiality of all information obtained during the investigation will be protected, as much as possible, to the extent the investigation is not compromised. All witnesses and those interviewed during the investigation are expected to treat the matter as confidential. All students (and others) who are part of the investigation have the duty to answer all questions honestly and completely. Individual(s) alleged to have committed harassment have the right to be presented with the allegations and have a responsibility and a right to respond to the allegations. Both the person(s) claiming harassment and the accused have the right to a prompt and complete investigation of the claim as well as learning the result of the investigation.

Disciplinary Action

If evidence indicates that a student is responsible for harassment, the sanction may include suspension from Heidelberg University. If evidence supports a finding that a charge of harassment is false, the student responsible for bring the false charge may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

Confidentiality And Retaliation