Human Resources

Harassment Policy

06:57:00 Harassment Policy

1. Sexual harassment and racial harassment have been held to constitute forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. An institution or technology center may be held liable pursuant to Title VI or Title VII and/or lose federal funds pursuant to Title IX for failure to properly investigate and remedy claims of sexual or racial harassment.
2. Sexual harassment shall be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
   1. Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or classroom evaluation.
   2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the status of the individual.
   3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or classroom performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.
3. Generally, racial harassment is defined as any person’s conduct which unreasonably interferes with an employee’s or student’s status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin, includes offensive or demeaning treatment of an individual, where such treatment is based typically on prejudiced stereotypes of a group to which that individual may belong. It includes, but is not limited to, objectionable epithets, threatened or actual physical harm or abuse, or other intimidating or insulting conduct directed against the individual because of his/her race, color, or national origin. Title VII requires employers to take prompt action to prevent the expression of their opinions which abuse or offend their peers.
4. The College seeks to encourage the prompt reporting of such harassment and its prompt resolution through either informal or formal procedures. In addition, the College takes steps and develops programs designed to inform students of their rights to be free from sexual harassment and the procedures available for reporting such actions. Programs have also been developed to educate members of the College staff about sexual harassment.
5. The final resolution of sexual or racial harassment complaints and the imposition of any appropriate sanctions will be governed by existing College procedures. The following set of procedures will be implemented for the reporting of sexual or racial harassment:
   1. Student complaints against a faculty member or employee of the College should be directed to the College’s Affirmative Action Officer who will provide the complainant with procedures.
   2. A complaint by an employee against another employee of the College should be directed to the College’s Affirmative Action Officer who will provide the complainant with a copy of TBR Guideline P-080 and the procedure to be followed. When the allegation of harassment is against the EEO/AA, Student Affairs Officer, Title VI or Title IX Officer, the President/Director will identify an individual who has been trained in investigating such complaints to investigate the complaint and carry out the responsibilities assigned pursuant to this guideline. When the allegation of harassment is against the President/TTC Director of the institution, the EEO/AA shall notify the Office of the General Counsel who will assign an investigator who will make his/her report to the Chancellor.
   3. Complaint by a student against another student; contact the Judicial Officer of the Office of Vice-President for Student Services. The Judicial Officer will provide the student with consultation and procedures.
6. Complaints of other forms of harassment on the basis of religion, disability, or other protected status are generally handled in the same manner as the procedures above.

Source: Tennessee Board of Regents Policy Nos. 5:01:02:00 and 2:02:10:01 and Guideline No. P-080.

Appendix A:  Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Form

Approved: Executive Staff, 05/20/09
Approved: President’s Cabinet, 05/20/09
Approved: President, 05/20/09
Reviewed: Affirmative Action, August 21, 2000

1. Appendix A

2. Discrimination/ Harassment Complaint Form

1. Date: __________________________________
2. Complainant:
3. Address:
4. Email address: _______________________________________________________
5. Phone: (home)_________________________ (work)__________________________
6. Name(s) of person(s) accused of wrongdoing: ________________________________
7. Alleged Discrimination / Harassment Factors:

8. Describe all actions of person(s) named above. Be as detailed as possible; include the date, time and place of each event(s) or conduct involved. Attach additional pages, if needed.
9. What effect has this had on you? __________________________________________
10. Names of witnesses to the above-described events. Include phone number(s), if known.
11. Names of anyone with whom you discussed the above-described events. Include phone number, if known.
12. How would you like this matter resolved? ___________________________________
13. Complainant Signature: _________________________________________________