Cottey College's policy is to maintain an environment for all employees and students that is free of harassment, illegal discrimination, and unprofessional conduct. In keeping with that policy, the College prohibits any form of harassment by or against any employee, an applicant for employment, customer, supplier, student, or any other person whether such harassment is lawful or unlawful. It is never justifiable to harass an employee or admitted student because of their race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, spirituality, sex*, gender presentation, or any other status protected by law.
Harassment of any form is counterproductive and does not serve the principles on which Cottey College operates. The College respects the dignity and worth of each student and employee and believes each student and employee should be free to develop fully their potential, neither hindered by artificial barriers nor aided by factors that are not related to merit. Cottey College also prohibits unprofessional conduct and comments even if the conduct or comments do not rise to the level of unlawful harassment. All employees are expected to use good judgment and to avoid even the appearance of impropriety in all their dealings with students and with other employees. Supervisory employees especially must always exhibit the highest degree of personal integrity, refraining from any behavior that might be harmful to their subordinates or the College. Similarly, faculty members must demonstrate the utmost professionalism when interacting with students.
Harassment is expressly prohibited including any verbal, written, electronic, or physical act in which race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, spirituality, sex*, gender presentation, or any other status protected by law is used or implied in a manner that would make another person uncomfortable in the educational or work environment or that would interfere with another person’s ability to participate in an educational program or activity or to perform their job. Examples of harassment include jokes that include reference to any protected status; the display or use of objects or pictures that adversely reflect on a person’s protected status; or the use of language that is offensive due to a person’s protected status.
*As a women’s institution, Cottey College considers for admission those applicants who indicate a legally-assigned sex of female on their application.
Harassment on the basis of sex is subject to the Cottey College Title IX Grievance Procedure for Students. All other forms of harassment are Major Violations, subject to the Major Violations Grievance Procedure.