Article 1—Student Rights and Responsibilities

Part 1. Student Rights

§ 1-109 Sexual Harassment Policy

(a) Sexual harassment is defined by law and includes requests for sexual favors, sexual advances or other sexual conduct when (a) submission is either explicitly or implicitly a condition affecting academic or employment decisions; or (b) the behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to create an intimidating, hostile, or repugnant environment; or (c) the behavior persists despite objection by the person to whom the conduct is directed. The University considers such behavior, whether physical or verbal, to be a breach of its standards of conduct. It will seek to prevent such incidents and will investigate and take corrective actions for violations of this policy. Further, retaliation against those who seek remedies under this policy is prohibited.

(b) The University will not tolerate sexual harassment of students or employees and will take action to provide remedies when such harassment is discovered. The University environment must be free of sexual harassment in work and study.

(1) In order to ensure that the University is free of sexual harassment, appropriate sanctions will be imposed on offenders in a case-by-case manner.

(2) The University will respond to every case of sexual harassment reported. Reporting and grievance procedures are published on the Web sites of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at www.eoa.uiuc.edu and the Office of the Dean of Students at www.odos.uiuc.edu.

(3) Incidents of alleged sexual abuse or sexual assault are included under § 1-302(b).

(c) Statement on Consenting Sexual Relationships

University guidelines on responsible professional conduct (in the Academic Staff Handbook) state that individuals assessing the work of others should base their assessments on appropriate professional criteria. Due to the inherent conflicts of interest, no individual should initiate or participate in institutional or educational decisions involving a direct benefit or penalty to a person with whom that individual has or has had a sexual relationship. Where supervisory or student-teacher relationships exist between husband and wife, or members of a couple, whether married or not, it is the responsibility of the teacher or supervisor to alert his/her supervisor so that appropriate arrangements can be made.