Harassment and Hate- or Bias-Motivated Conduct Policy

Policy Statement: Lewis & Clark College seeks to be an inclusive community that welcomes and respects all people. Every member of our community is expected to commit to maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming community. Acts that are an affront to the core values of the institution are not tolerated. Such actions destroy the sense of community we all share. Additionally, acts of intolerance do untold and unjust harm to the well-being, dignity and safety of those who are victimized by these acts.

We as a community recognize that not all conduct which may stir negative emotions or responses may or should be regulated through a conduct process. Certain conduct, however, will not be tolerated at Lewis & Clark and will result in a conduct process. The following policy describes such conduct.

Scope of Policy. The policy applies to all Lewis & Clark community members, including students, faculty, administrators, staff, volunteers, vendors, independent contractors, visitors, and any individuals regularly or temporarily employed, studying, living, visiting, conducting business or having any official capacity with the College or on College property.

Discrimination and Harassment in the workplace is governed by the College’s more specific Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Sexual Misconduct—including sexual harassment, sexual assault, exploitation, intimate partner violence, stalking, and prohibited relationships by persons in authority—is governed by the College’s more specific Sexual Misconduct policy.

Prohibited Conduct: Lewis & Clark College prohibits harassment of all kinds, as well as discrimination and hate- or bias-motivated conduct that is based on any of the protected characteristics set forth below, whether real or perceived.

Protected Characteristics:

  1. Color, race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry or citizenship status;
  2. Age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, socioeconomic status or veteran status;
  3. Sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression;
  4. Religious belief or practice, marital status or domestic partner status;
  5. Any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Definitions:

Discrimination occurs when a person unfairly deprives another of a right, benefit or privilege and/or unfairly treats another differently because of one of the actual or perceived characteristics outlined above.

Harassment occurs when a person engages in conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, campus living, athletic or academic environment. Conduct which has the purpose or effect of causing a hostile or offensive environment may constitute harassment even if it is not motivated by one of the characteristics outlined above.

Hate- or bias-motivated conduct occurs when a person intentionally humiliates or intimidates another because of one or more of the actual or perceived characteristics outlined above.

Retaliation Prohibited:

Lewis & Clark College prohibits anyone from retaliating against any employee or student for making a complaint.

Reporting and Resources: If you have encountered or observed any form of discrimination, harassment, or hate- or bias-motivated conduct and would like to report the incident please refer to the procedure below. If you are unsure about where to turn or whether there is a process to address it, there are resources available to help you. 

1. Complaints regarding sexual harassment should be made under the procedures described in the College’s Sexual Misconduct Resources and Support Policy.

2. COMPLAINTS AGAINST FACULTY OR STAFF

Complaint Procedure

Complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, hate- or bias-motivated incidents may be made in several ways:

  1. Complete this form. The form will be delivered to the chair of the BART who will make sure the complaint is received by the necessary offices; Or
  2. File a complaint directly with Human Resources. Call extension 6239 to make an appointment.
  3. If it is an emergency, contact Campus Safety at Extension: 7777

3. COMPLAINTS AGAINST STUDENTS

Complaints regarding discrimination, harassment, hate- or bias-motivated incidents may be made in several ways:

  1. Complete this form. The form will be delivered to the chair of the Bias Incident Assessment and Response Team who will make sure the complaint is received by the necessary offices; Or
  2. Contact one of the following offices:
    1. College of Arts and Sciences: Dean of Student’s Office: Extension 7145; or the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Extension 8181
    2. Graduate School of Education and Counseling: Associate Dean: Extension 6003
    3. Law School: Associate Dean: Extension 6610
  3. If it is an emergency, contact Campus Safety at Extension: 7777
Time Period for Filing a Complaint

Prompt reporting of a complaint is strongly encouraged, as it allows for rapid response to and resolution of objectionable behavior.

Approval Date

Approved by Executive Council: April 29, 2015. Updated: September 30, 2020