Suffolk University does not tolerate any behavior of administrators, faculty, staff or students which constitutes harassment of students or employees on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, veterans’ status, age, sexual orientation or disability. Such forms of harassment are discriminatory and unlawful. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and as such violates university policy as well as state and federal statutes.

Sexual harassment is legally defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct or written communication of a sexual nature when:

• submission to, or rejection of, such advances, requests or conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or educational status or as a basis for employment or educational decisions;
• such advances, requests or conduct have the purpose or effect of reasonably interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or sexually offensive work or educational environment.

Under these definitions, direct or implied requests by a supervisor for sexual favors in exchange for actual or promised job benefits such as favorable reviews, salary increases, promotions, increased benefits, or continued employment constitutes sexual harassment. Direct or implied requests by a faculty member of a student for sexual favors in exchange for improved grades or favorable recommendations also constitutes sexual harassment. Sexual harassment incidents can involve a male harasser and a female victim, a female harasser and a male victim and also same sex harassment. Some examples of sexual harassment may include: unwelcome sexual advances – whether or not they involve physical touching; sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral reference to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life; comment on an individual’s body, comment about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess; displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons; unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, suggestive or insulting comments; inquiries into one’s sexual experiences; and discussion of one’s sexual activities.

All faculty, administrators and staff are held accountable for compliance with this policy. All members of the Suffolk community should take special note that retaliation against an individual who has complained about sexual harassment, and retaliation against individuals for cooperating with investigation of a sexual harassment complaint is unlawful and will not be tolerated by the University.

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* Notice: The Law School policies relating to Sexual Harassment and Other Forms of Unlawful Harassment and the Sexual Harassment Complaint and Resolution Procedures are currently under review. Accordingly, updates to these policies may be forthcoming during the academic year. Please visit the Dean of Students Office page on the Law School’s web site for the most current policies.