Harassment & Discrimination Policies
SHU Harassment & Discrimination Policies Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity and University Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of Sacred Heart University to comply with the law regarding equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons so as to prohibit unlawful discrimination against persons because of race, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, color, marital status, veteran status, religion, age, disability, handicap, national origin or ancestry in its employment policies and its education and admissions programs.
Sacred Heart University promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity throughout the University. Admissions and employment practices and activities are conducted on a non-discriminatory basis as required by law. This policy is also supplemented with a strong commitment to and policy against harassment or retaliation of any kind.
While Sacred Heart University is committed to complying with applicable federal and state statutes, the pursuit of diversity and fairness is, more importantly, grounded in the mission and educational goals of our institution.
Student Code of Conduct Non-Discrimination Policy
SHU does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national/ethnic origin, age, or handicap in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, athletic programs, or administered programs. Any behavior or action that excludes, harasses, or embarrasses someone based on any of the above characteristics is unacceptable and subject to disciplinary action.
SHU Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy Statement
Sacred Heart University is firmly committed to maintaining a learning, living, and working environment for members of the University community, guests and visitors, free from all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (hereinafter referred to as “harassment”), including acts of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and stalking.
This Formal Grievance Policy will apply to “sexual harassment” in a SHU “education program or activity” against a person in the United States, per USDOE Regulations, effective August 14, 2020.
“Sexual harassment” is defined in the Regulations (§ 106.30) to be conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:
- A SHU employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (“quid pro quo”);
- Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to SHU’s education program or activity; or
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
If alleged sexual misconduct does not satisfy the USDOE’s definitional or jurisdictional requirements, such as off-campus sexual misconduct alleged to have an on-campus effect, then SHU has discretion to address it outside of this Policy.
Anyone looking to file a complaint may submit a report to the University's Title IX Coordinator (westendorpm@sacredheart.edu)
Links to Relevant Policies, Procedures and More Information:
SHU Employee Policy Handbook: Includes relevant policies and procedures specific to employees such as - Equal Opportunity Employment Policy, Non-Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, Harassment Policy, and other relevant information
SHU Title IX Policy: Includes the Title IX Sexual Harassment policy and procedure.
SHU Student Handbook: Includes relevant policies and procedures specific to students, such as – Code of Conduct and Community Standards, and other relevant information