Harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or veteran status (fn) is conduct that interferes with an individual's work or academic performance or participation in University programs or activities, and creates a working or learning environment that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or hostile.
Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention that unreasonably interferes with an individual's working or learning environment. It may involve intimidation, threats, coercion, sexual advances, request for sexual favors or other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Harassment may occur between individuals of the same or opposite gender and between students, faculty, staff, and administrators. It may occur when one individual holds a position of real or perceived authority over the other or between individuals of equal status. Harassment can occur anywhere on campus, including the classroom, workplace, residence hall or within any University sponsored program or activity.
To constitute harassment, the behavior must be severe or pervasive. Harassment can take many forms, and deciding whether harassment has occurred means examining each situation and all of the circumstances.
Harassment based upon protected classes may involve:
physically assaulting behavior
repeatedly intimidating, teasing, mocking or joking based on an individual's race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or veteran status
repeatedly directing racial or ethnic slurs at an individual
repeatedly telling an individual that he/she is too old to understand new technology
repeatedly pressuring an individual for dates or sexual favors
repeatedly displaying sexually explicit visual material (calendars, posters, cards, software, and web sites)
repeatedly giving or sending inappropriate gifts, calls, letters or e-mails
promises or rewards (a better grade, or a promotion) in return for sexual favors
unwelcome physical contact
sexual assault*
*While all sexual harassment is against the law, sexual assault is a criminal act and must be reported to the UCCS Department of Public Safety (ext. 3111) or city police.
Examples of protected-class harassment:
Julie, a supervisor, repeatedly makes ethnically disparaging comments to Juan, such as, "If you don't do your job correctly, I'm going to send you back south of the border."
Thomas acts and behaves in a more feminine manner and as a result, his classmates frequently tease him and call him a "queer" and a "girlie man."
Professor Jones is in her office when her student Steve comes in, closes the door and suggestively says, "I'd do anything for an A in your class."
If you are experiencing discrimination and/or harassment, you may:
have feelings of confusion, fearfulness, powerlessness, guilt, or shame
lose motivation
experience a loss of self-esteem
feel inclined to drop a class or quit your job
feel inclined to change majors, change careers or even leave the University
What should I do if I think I have experienced or witnessed harassment?
Tell the harasser or discriminator to stop
If you feel comfortable doing so, directly and succinctly tell the individual to stop the offensive behavior. The individual may be unaware that you find the behavior to be offensive or unwelcome.
Say it in writing
In many cases, stating your feelings in writing to the individual, whether via a letter, email or text, may clear up any misunderstandings and cause the behavior to stop. The writing should include a statement such as: "When you (stare at me, put your hand on my shoulder, make sexual, racial, or religious comments/jokes), I feel uncomfortable. I want you to stop that behavior immediately."
Tell someone
Discussing the situation with someone will help you sort out your feelings and decide what to do. You may want to talk to someone you trust, such as a friend, or a resource on campus. (See Resources tab.)
Keep a record
What happened? When? Where? Who were the other people present? How did you feel? Save written notes/correspondence, voice mail, e-mail and text messages, as well as any social media interaction.
Report the incident promptly
Incidents of discrimination and harassment should be reported to the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (719-255-4324, odh@uccs.edu) as soon as possible.
Professional staff will work with you to determine the most appropriate means of addressing your concerns. Additionally, all supervisors are required to report possible discrimination or harassment to the ODH whenever they experience, witness or are told about it. However, anyone who is aware of discrimination, harassment or related retaliation should promptly report such behavior to ODH.
What if I am a victim of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based harassment?
Sexual assault is a crime and must be immediately reported to the police. Additionally, reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault or gender-based harassment should be reported promptly to the Office of Discrimination and Harassment. The information found in the Process tab provides a useful summary of the rights and options of victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based harassment.
Footnotes: Note, the term veteran status includes a person who serves or has served in any branch of the U.S. military, including ROTC.
Joanne McDevitt, J.D. Discrimination and Harassment Officer Title IX Coordinator jmcdevit@uccs.edu
Julia Neville, J.D. Discrimination and Harassment Officer jneville@uccs.edu
Office of Discrimination & Harrassment odh@uccs.edu 3107 Keystone Hall, UCCS (719) 255-4324, on campus: x4324
