Northwest Suburban College believes we are all responsible for creating an environment where we are treated with respect and dignity. Sometimes behavior that seems acceptable to one may be offensive to others. Any harassment or false accusations of harassment of or by employees or students is not acceptable. The College prohibits harassment on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or membership in any other group protected by law.

Harassment

Harassment is verbal or physical conduct or conduct using technology that is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or educational program participation, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment. A person’s subjective belief that behavior is offensive, intimidating, or hostile does not make that behavior harassment. The behavior must be objectively unreasonable. Expression occurring in an academic, educational, or research context is considered as a special case and is broadly protected by academic freedom. Such expression will not constitute harassment unless (in addition to satisfying the above definition) it is targeted at a specific person or persons, is abusive, and serves no bona fide academic purpose. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following behaviors:

• Unsolicited remarks, gestures, or physical contact;
• Display or circulation of written material or pictures that are negative or offensive to gender or
  to racial, ethnic, religious, or other groups protected by law;
• Conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an employee’s work or academic
  performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.

Sexual harassment also encompasses unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a basis for an
  academic or employment decision, or a term or condition of either; or
• Such conduct directed against an individual persists despite its rejection.

Sexual Misconduct

One of the College’s goals is to maintain an environment that is healthy and safe. Acts of sexual misconduct and assault will not be tolerated. Sexual misconduct includes sexual assault and abuse (criminal acts that the U.S. Department of Education defines as sexual harassment), non-consensual sexual activity, and sexual harassment. The College will take prompt and appropriate corrective action, up to and including termination of employment, expulsion, and/or other sanctions against anyone who
engages in harassment or sexual misconduct.

Persons accused of sexual misconduct will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Northwest Suburban College’s policies and procedures for student conduct. At the discretion of the College, persons accused of sexual misconduct may be immediately suspended or restricted from campus pending final disposition of any disciplinary proceedings. Individuals found to have committed sexual misconduct will be subject to sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the College.

In addition to student disciplinary action, persons accused of sexual misconduct may be subject to criminal prosecution by the law enforcement agency with appropriate jurisdiction in that case. In the course of a criminal investigation or prosecution, NWSC may choose or may be required to provide information and records related to its disciplinary proceedings involving the same act. However, NWSC’s student disciplinary process is independent of and not dependent upon any criminal process. The decision to prosecute or not prosecute and the ultimate outcome of any criminal proceedings do
not affect or influence the College’s student conduct proceedings.

The College considers sexual violence and sexual harassment, whether verbal, physical, or visual, to be a form of sexual discrimination, prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. A person who has been a victim of sexual assault may report the crime to the Northwest Suburban College student advisor, the Dean of Academic & Student Affairs, or an outside community agency. NWSC staff will serve in an advocacy role and help refer individuals for appropriate medical, law enforcement, judicial, and counseling assistance. Upon request, assistance will be provided in changing academic schedules.

Even if a victim decides not to file criminal charges with the police, it is recommended that the individual contact a College or community resource for support. Victims are entitled to confidential services either on or off campus, whether or not charges are pressed.