Section 3.9.4.1

Faculty Policies and Information

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY/SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICY

STATEMENT
The University of Oklahoma explicitly condemns sexual harassment of students, staff, and faculty.  Sexual Harassment is unlawful and may subject those who engage in it to University sanctions as well as civil and criminal penalties.

When criminal action is pursued in addition to an administrative grievance under this policy, the EO/AA Office will coordinate its investigative actions with the University or local law enforcement authorities to ensure that criminal prosecution is not jeopardized.  The EO/AA Officer may defer administrative action at the request of University or local law enforcement authorities pending completion of the criminal investigation.  Where review by the EO/AA Officer or other university executive officer determines that immediate administrative action is necessary for the safety, health and wellbeing of the campus community, such action may be taken in advance of resolution of criminal charges.

Since some members of the University community hold positions of authority that may involve the legitimate exercise of power over others, it is their responsibility to be sensitive to that power.  Faculty and supervisors in particular, in their relationships with students and subordinates, need to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and the possible compromise of their evaluative capacity.  Because there is an inherent power difference in these relationships, the potential exists for the less powerful person to perceive a coercive element in suggestions regarding activities outside those appropriate to the professional relationship.  It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to behave in such a manner that their words or actions cannot reasonably be perceived as sexually coercive, abusive, or expletive.  Sexual harassment also can involve relationships among equals as when repeated advances, demeaning verbal behavior, or offensive physical contact interfere with an individual's ability to work and study productively.

The University is committed to providing an environment of study and work free from sexual harassment and to insuring the accessibility of appropriate grievance procedures for addressing all complaints regarding sexual harassment.  The University reserves the right, however, to deal administratively with sexual harassment issues whenever becoming aware of their existence.  Records of all complaints, except for hearings before the Faculty Appeals Board, shall be transmitted to and maintained by the University Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Officer as confidential records.

The University encourages victims to report instances of sexual assault or other sex offenses, either forcible or nonforcible.  In addition to internal grievance procedures, victims are encouraged to file complaints or report with campus policy or local law enforcement agencies  by telephoning 911, as soon as possible after the offense occurs in order to preserve evidence necessary to the proof of criminal offenses.  The campus policy department is available to assist victims in filing reports with other area law enforcement agencies.
 
 
 

Faculty Handbook

Section 3.9.4.2

Faculty Policies and Information

DEFINITION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment shall be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the following context:

1.  when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing, or

2.  when 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. when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.