Discrimination and Harassment Policies
Policy Statement on Discrimination
Washington College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification in the administration of any of its educational programs and activities or with respect to admission and employment.
The designated coordinator to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Educational Act Amendments of 1972 is Greg Krikorian, Interim Dean of Students/Title IX Coordinator, Casey Academic Center, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland, 21620, phone number (410) 778-7761.
The designated coordinator to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are:
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Gregory H. Krikorian, Interim Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator, Casey Academic Center,
Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland, 21620, (410) 778-7752; and
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Kate Laking, Director of Human Resources, (410) 778-7799
For additional information and/or to file a complaint, contact the Director of Civil Rights, US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Suite 515, Philadelphia, PA 19107, or local fair employment practices agencies.
Policy Statement on Harassment
Harassment in any form, whether based on race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification, is unacceptable on the Washington College campus.
For purposes of this policy, harassment means unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct based on a protected classification (race, color, sex, disability, etc.) that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or education (including living conditions, extracurricular activities, and social life), creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, or constituting a threat to an individual’s personal safety.
Statement on Importance of Academic Freedom
The essential importance of academic freedom is recognized, and a standard of reasonableness will guide the College. Only when academic freedom is used to disguise, or as the vehicle for, prohibited conduct will it be questioned.
Washington College believes that ideas, creativity, and free expression thrive and, indeed, can only exist for students, faculty, and staff in an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment and assault.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
Federal Law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Law of l964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972) provides that sexual harassment shall be considered a form of gender discrimination. Maryland Law also prohibits gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of interfering with one’s academic or work performance or social world by creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or violent environment. Sexual violence/assault is also considered sexual harassment.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
- Action of an individual in a position of institutional power or authority who misuses that position to subject an individual to unwanted sexual attention of either a verbal or physical nature when that conduct is either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s employment or academic status.
- Demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats or promises concerning grades, recommendations, or evaluations.
- Inappropriate sexual conduct that interferes with an individual’s work performance or educational experience by creating an uncomfortable environment. This prohibition applies to all relationships at the institution between members of the College community.
- Inappropriate conduct against an individual that interferes with an individual’s work performance or educational experience by creating an uncomfortable environment that would not occur but for the sex of the individual.
Washington College policies prohibit unreciprocated and unwelcome relationships. However, persons in positions of power, authority, and control over others should be aware of and sensitive to problems that may arise from mutual relationships that are inherently unequal. Individuals in these situations are urged to examine such relationships before engaging in them, especially in terms of emotional health, self-esteem, and respect for the freedom of others.
Apparently consensual sexual relationships, particularly those between individuals of unequal status, may be or become a violation of this policy. Anyone who engages in a sexual relationship with a person over whom he or she has any degree of power or authority must understand that the validity of the consent involved can and may be questioned. The College particularly abhors the abuse potentially inherent in sexual relationships between faculty members and students and between staff supervisors and their student employees.