HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

The Ohio Valley University community believes that each individual is created in the image of God, and should be respected and treated with dignity. The university respects and encourages the dignity and professionalism of its employees and students and is firmly committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from any form of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct.

In keeping with this commitment, the university will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct among employees or students at the university by anyone, including any faculty member, staff member, student, visitor, vendor, contractor, or any other individuals supplying services at the university. Harassment that interferes with an individual’s work, or academic performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment, will not be tolerated. All members of the university community are expected to follow and enforce the university’s policies of this nature.

DISCRIMINATION:

Unlawful discrimination occurs when an individual is treated less favorably with respect to the administration of the University’s educational programs and activities, admissions, financial aid, or on-campus housing, based upon that individual’s membership in a class protected by applicable law.

HARASSMENT:

Harassment is defined as conduct that is so severe and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive, that its effect, whether or not intended, impairs a person’s ability to participate in the University’s educational programs and activities or their living environments. Harassment in any form based on gender, race, color, age, national origin, disability, religion, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal laws is prohibited, as are all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

The definition of sexual misconduct includes:

  • Sexual violence

    • Physical sexual acts perpetrated against a person’s will or where a person is incapable of giving consent due to the victim’s age, or use of drugs or alcohol; or because of an intellectual or other disability.

  • Sex discrimination

    • Discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities is prohibited

  • Sexual harassment

    • Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.  It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct or other disability.

  • Domestic violence

    • Includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by:

      • A current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim,

      • A person with whom the victim shares a child in common,

      • A person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner,

      • A person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies,

      • By any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from the person’s acts under the domestic or family laws of the jurisdiction

  • Dating violence

    • Violence committed to a person

      • Who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic nature with the victim; and

      • Where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

        • The length of the relationship

        • The type of the relationship

        • The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship

        • Stalking

    • Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to

      • Fear for his or her safety or the safety of others, or

      • Suffer substantial emotional distress

Commitment of any of these offenses may result in a variety of disciplinary responses including, but not limited to, suspension or immediate dismissal.  Due to the criminal nature of sexual violence, domestic violence and dating violence, appropriate authorities will be notified when allegations arise.

Report incidences to:

Title IX Coordinator

Cecelia Goff

304.865.6132 (office)

304.483.5158 (cell)

cecelia.goff@ovu.edu

Deputy Title IX Coordinator

Lindsay Cole

304.865.6077

lindsay.cole@ovu.edu

Security

Shawn Collins

304.865.6015

shawn.collins@ovu.edu