BP 3433: Prohibition of Sexual Harassment

All forms of sexual harassment are contrary to basic standards of conduct between individuals. State and federal law and this policy prohibit sexual harassment and Mt. Hood Community College will not tolerate sexual harassment. Mt. Hood Community College is committed to providing an academic and work environment that respects the dignity of individuals and groups. Mt. Hood Community College (further referred to as the College) shall be free of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation including acts of sexual violence.

The College seeks to foster an environment in which all employees, students, applicants for employment, and applicants for admission feel free to report incidents of sexual harassment in violation of this policy and Title IX, without fear of retaliation or reprisal. Therefore, the College also strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual for filing a complaint of sexual harassment in violation of this policy and Title IX or for participating, or refusing to participate, in a sexual harassment investigation. The College will investigate all allegations of Title IX retaliation swiftly and thoroughly. If the College determines that someone has retaliated, it will take all reasonable steps within its power to stop such conduct. Individuals who engage in Title IX retaliatory conduct are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.

Any employee, student, applicant for employment, or applicant for admission who believes that they have been harassed or retaliated against in violation of this policy should immediately report such incidents by following the regulations described in AR 3434 Responding to Harassment Based on Sex under Title IX. Mt. Hood Community College requires supervisors to report all incidents of harassment and retaliation that come to their attention.

This policy applies to all aspects of the academic environment, including but not limited to classroom conditions, grades, academic standing, employment opportunities, scholarships, recommendations, disciplinary actions, and participation in any community college activity. In addition, this policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, disciplinary action, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, training opportunities, and compensation.

To this end, the President shall ensure that the institution undertakes education and training activities to counter sexual harassment and to prevent, minimize, or eliminate any hostile environment that impairs access to equal education opportunity or impacts the terms and conditions of employment.

The President shall establish regulations that define sexual harassment on campus. The President shall further establish regulations for employees, students, and other members of the campus community that provide for the investigation and resolution of complaints regarding sexual harassment in violation of this policy, and regulations to resolve complaints of sexual harassment in violation of this policy. State and federal law and this policy prohibit retaliatory acts against all participants by the Mt. Hood Community College, its employees, students, and agents.

Mt. Hood Community College will publish and publicize this policy and related written regulations (including the procedure for making complaints) to administrators, faculty, staff, students, applicants for employment, and applicants for admission, particularly when they are new to the institution. The College will make this policy and related written regulations (including the procedures for making complaints) available in all administrative offices and will post them on the College’s website.

Employees who violate the policy and regulations may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. Students who violate this policy and related regulations may be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including expulsion. Volunteers or unpaid interns who violate this policy and related regulations may be subject to disciplinary measures up to and including termination from the volunteer assignment, internship, or other unpaid work experience program.

Adopted: 8/19/20

Revised:  2/16/22

References: Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972;
34 Code of Federal Regulations Part 106