Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination
Savannah Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status (except in those circumstances permitted or mandated by law). This includes sexual harassment which is a form of gender discrimination and is a violation of State and Federal law.
Sexual harassment is defined to include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct is prohibited when the behavior is directed to an individual because of his or her gender and (1) when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of instruction, employment or otherwise full participation in department or college life; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is considered in evaluating a person’s academic work or job performance or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with a person’s academic or job performance; creating a sexually intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment; or interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity.
All employees of the college are expected to make every effort to ensure that students are not subjected to any form of sexual or other improper harassment or discriminatory behavior. (This effort may be formal or informal depending on the circumstances.) However, all students should report any sexual or other improper harassment that they experience, observe or believe may be occurring to the Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Compliance Coordinator at the College.
Students who believe that they are or may have been victims of improper harassment are encouraged to seek resolution promptly through the established procedures by contacting the designated Compliance Coordinator for the college.
Examples of Sexually Harassing Conduct or Behavior (regardless of the gender of the persons involved) include:
- Physical touching;
- Sexual comments of a provocative or suggestive nature;
- Suggestive looks or gestures;
- Jokes, printed material or innuendos; or
- Making acceptance of unwelcome sexual conduct, advances, or requests for sexual favors of any nature or condition for employment, employment decisions, or continued employment (pressure for sexual favors). This is a representative list of harassing conduct or behavior and is not intended to be exhaustive.
Other violations of this policy include (1) retaliating against a person who reports alleged harassment or participates as a witness in a harassment investigation; (2) disregarding, failing to investigate adequately or delaying investigations of harassment allegations when responsibility or report and/or investigation complaints comprises part of one’s supervisory responsibilities; or (3) deliberately making a false allegation of sexual or other improper harassment. However, failure to prove a claim of harassment does not constitute proof of a false accusation.
Students who engage in sexual or other improper harassment on college premises or off college premises at a college-sponsored activity will be subject to discipline in accordance with the college’s student disciplinary process. In most circumstances, it is best for all parties that complaints of harassment be resolved at the lowest possible organizational level with a minimum of formality. Sexual harassment complaints shall be handled in accordance with the grievance procedures. Confidentiality and privacy of those involved will be respected during all grievance procedures to the degree the procedure and the law will allow. If a student wishes to bring a complaint and remain anonymous, the ability of the College to respond will be limited. To the extent permitted by law, information shared in confidence shall be maintained as confidential.
For more information on reporting and investigations of unlawful harassment, discrimination, or unlawful retaliation please refer to the Savannah Technical College Course Catalog.
