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Sexual Harassment

Read the Policy On Discrimination and Harassment

Calvin College prohibits sexual harassment of any kind. Sexual harassment by any member of Calvin's faculty, staff or student body is an assault on personal dignity and a violation of federal and state law. Calvin affirms its commitment to maintaining a learning and working environment which is fair, respectful, and free from sexual harassment. No one at the college may retaliate against a person who makes a bona fide claim of sexual harassment.

What is sexual harassment?

Simply put, sexual harassment is unwanted attention of a sexual nature. Remarks may not be intended to harm, but if they have that effect, they constitute harassment. Sexual harassment creates an offensive, intimidating, or hostile learning or living environment. Sexual harassment may involve abuse of power or privilege. It may involve coercion or threat of detriment to the individual if refused or stopped, for example if sexual advances are refused and the student's grade is lowered or is not given a good job or graduate school recommendation. It can be verbal, non-verbal or physical.

Sexual Harassment May Include:

• explicit or implicit propositions to engage in sexual activity.
• sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, anecdotes, or gestures.
• inappropriate or unwelcome touching, patting, pinching, or brushing against   a person's body or clothing.
• display of sexually offensive material (e.g., pictures, cartoons, posters,   graffiti) objects, or sounds.
• unwelcome inquiries or comments about a person's sex life, clothing, or   body.
• sexual looks such as leering and ogling.
• sexual explicit cards, notes, emails or other written.
• derogatory gender specific comments.
• adverse evaluation or grading as the consequence of refusing or stopping   sexual demands from another person.

What To Do If You Are Being Sexually Harassed:

1. Say NO! Say it firmly without smiling or apologizing. You may also wish to write a letter to the harasser clearly communicating your objections.

2. Keep a record of what has occurred and how you responded. Include direct quotes, dates, places, times, and witnesses to the harassment. Save all harassing cards, letters, voice mail or answering machine messages.

3. Talk to someone, perhaps an RD or Broene Counseling Center counselor. For further information call Todd Hubers, Director of Human Resources, x66495 (thubers@calvin.edu), or Anamarie Joosse, Broene Counseling Center, x66123 (ajoosse@calvin.edu).

4. Report the problem. Calvin encourages you to report incidences of sexual harassment. Students may file a complaint with the Dean of Students for Judicial Affair, Jane Hendriksma, x66116 (jhendrik@calvin.edu). Going first to someone at the Broene Counseling Center gives you opportunity for confidential discussion about procedure and options. Also you may ask a Committee member or another college faculty or administrator to be your advocate throughout the process.