SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

Sexual harassment is sex discrimination and, therefore, a violation of federal and state law. It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts that no member of the University community may sexually harass another. For purposes of this policy and consistent with federal regulations, sexual harassment is defined as follows: 

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: 1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic work, 2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual or 3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment.

It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts to protect the rights of all persons within the University community by providing fair and impartial investigations of all complaints brought to the attention of appropriate officials. Any member of the University community found to have violated this sexual harassment policy will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Chancellors are directed to take appropriate measures to inform each member of the University community of this policy statement and to develop procedures, in conjunction with the President's Office, for filing, hearing and resolving complaints.