School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS)
Elizabethtown College complies with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and all other applicable federal, state, and local statutes, ordinances, and regulations. Elizabethtown College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status in hiring and promotion, in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College administered programs, except as such conditions may constitute bona fide occupational or assignment qualifications. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden. In keeping with the historical values of Elizabethtown College, the College endeavors to treat everyone with dignity, justice, and fairness. The Director of Title IX/Compliance Programs and Intercultural Affairs at Elizabethtown College is Gabrielle Reed.
Harassment Policy
The College defines harassment as any behavior, verbal or physical, which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment, particularly if questionable behavior is repeated and/or if it continues after the offending party is informed of the objectionable and/or inappropriate nature of the behavior, and which is based on individual characteristics including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, marital status, ancestry, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Facilitators are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects, but should take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial matters, which have no relation to the subject.
The totality of the circumstances of any given harassment incident must be carefully investigated, but prohibited harassment may take many forms. The most common examples include:
- Verbal harassment such as jokes, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, and unwelcome or patronizing remarks about an individual's body, color, physical characteristics or appearance.
- Physical harassment such as physical interference with normal work, impeding or blocking movements, assault, unwelcome physical contact, staring at a person's body, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to a protected characteristic.
- Visual harassment such as offensive or obscene photographs, calendars, posters, e-mails, cards, cartoons, drawings and gestures, display of lewd objects, unwelcome notes or letters, or any written, electronic, or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual.
Violation and Complaint Procedure
Violations of the Ethics Statement, Pledge of Integrity, or Harassment Policy are serious matters and are treated as such by the School of Graduate and Professional Studies (sgps) and by Elizabethtown College. Any learner and/or facilitator who believes such a violation has occurred should inform the dean of the sgps. The dean will investigate the alleged violation and, based on the seriousness of the violation, may attempt to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the parties involved. If such a resolution cannot be achieved, the formal complaint procedure should be initiated. In any case, the formal complaint procedure may be initiated immediately by the dean if the alleged violation is of sufficient seriousness.
The formal complaint procedure begins when a complainant informs the sgps dean of the alleged violation in a formal, written complaint. The dean will notify all parties involved that a formal complaint has been submitted. The dean will solicit and collect written statements from all parties involved in the alleged violation.
The sgps dean will appoint a Review Committee from the membership of the School's Council on Academic Management. The Review Committee will review all written statements related to the alleged violation. The Review Committee may also hear the direct testimony of those involved. In any event, the Review Committee will render a recommendation in the case. Such recommendation may range from no action at all, in complaints found to be unwarranted, up to and including expulsion from the sgps and the College.