What constitutes sexual harassment?
Policy
The University of Maryland is committed to maintaining a work and academic atmosphere which is free of intimidation, fear and coercion. Sexual harassment is demeaning, offensive and illegal; it will not be tolerated at the University of Maryland. Even the appearance of sexual harassment can permanently tarnish a professional career. As a member of the faculty, it is essential that you avoid any conduct that can be interpreted as sexual harassment.
Definition
Sexual harassment is defined as:
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Requests for sexual favors
- Any behavior of a sexual nature where:
- Submission to such conduct is either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or participation in a university-sponsored educational program or activity;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for an academic or employment decision;
- Such conduct interferes with an individual's academic or professional performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
In addition to this definition, faculty members are prohibited from engaging in intimate relationships with University of Maryland students.
Procedures
An incident of sexual harassment should be reported to the head of your academic unit and to the president's legal staff (5-4945) and/or the Office of Human Relations (5-2838). Faculty members who engage in such conduct will face disciplinary action which may include termination. Furthermore, claims of sexual harassment can be pursued with civil litigation outside of the university's disciplinary procedures.
