Discrimination and Harassment Policy
Purpose
色片软件免费 affirms that all members of our community are created in the image of God and therefore should be treated with dignity and respect. Our University Code of Ethics states that we do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. Further, we respect the inherent worth of each member of the community and do not engage in any forms of harassment. We follow the profound truth found in the Golden Rule, "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12).
Prohibited Conduct
Disparate treatment discrimination occurs in a University education program or activity or employment when: the complainant was subjected to an adverse action and was harmed; the complainant鈥檚 protected status was the respondent鈥檚 substantial motivating reason for the adverse action; and the respondent鈥檚 conduct was a substantial factor in causing the harm.
Disparate impact discrimination occurs in a University education program or activity or employment when: the University has a policy or practice that does not reference a protected status that has an unlawful disproportionate adverse effect on a specific protected status or results in an unlawful adverse action; a complainant identifies as having the specific protected status and was harmed by the policy or practice; the University鈥檚 policy or practice was a substantial factor in causing the harm; and for cases involving employment discrimination, the policy or practice is not job-related nor consistent with business necessity.
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 environment. Objectively offensive conduct means that it must be offensive both to the recipient of the conduct and to a "reasonable person" in the recipient's circumstances.
Retaliation is any materially adverse action against a person because that person has asserted a good faith complaint of discrimination or harassment, or assists in providing information regarding a complaint of discrimination or harassment. Retaliation includes threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, discrimination, violence, or any other conduct by the University, a student, or an employee or other person authorized by the University to provide aid, benefit, or service under the University鈥檚 education program or activity, for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege secured by this Policy or by law. Adverse action does not include perceived or petty slights, or trivial annoyances.
Because of our commitment to honoring the dignity and respect of every individual, unlawful discrimination and harassment (and any related retaliation) is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University. The University鈥檚 commitment to non-discrimination applies to conduct by all University members, including students, faculty, and staff, when engaged in activities sponsored by the University or otherwise related to the University or its business, whether on or off campus.
This Policy is also enforced to maintain compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which specifically prohibits discrimination and retaliation on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics (e.g., Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, Hindu, Palestinian, Israeli, and South Asian identities). Protection from race, color, or national origin discrimination extends to discrimination, including harassment, based on an individual鈥檚 actual or perceived (i) shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics or (ii) citizenship or residency in a country with a dominant religion or distinct religious identity. Conduct that violates Title VI is expressly prohibited by this Policy.
To be considered a violation of Title VI, the conduct must be based upon an individual鈥檚 actual or perceived protected characteristic (e.g., race, color, national origin, shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics) and, considering the totality of the circumstances, creates a hostile environment, which is defined as conduct that is subjectively and objectively offensive and so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person鈥檚 ability to participate in or benefit from a university education program or activity.
How to Report a Concern
The University encourages all community members to immediately report Title VI concerns as well as any other conduct prohibited by this Policy to the University Title VI Coordinator, identified below.
Community members can expect the University to take appropriate steps to assess the situation and, as necessary and allowed by law, cause any harassing activity to cease, prevent its recurrence, and remedy any effects of the harassing activity.
Title VI concerns should be reported directly to the University Title VI Coordinator, whether experienced firsthand or not. In partnership and consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Title VI Coordinator will seek to:
- Provide appropriate and reasonable supportive measures to the person(s) who experienced the potential discrimination or harassment;
- Assess, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, if the action, individually or in conjunction with other actions, creates a hostile environment under Title VI;
- Assess, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, if the reported action is protected by the First Amendment;
- Determine the appropriate grievance options and procedure, referring to another University department, as needed;
- Recommend actions, if needed, to address the effects of the misconduct and prevent future occurrences; and
- Maintain a record of the report.
| Title VI Coordinator |
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Dawn Emrich Assistant Dean 310.506.4937 |
Pursuant to University policy, allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation perpetrated against an employee or by an employee are managed by Human Resources in coordination with the Title VI Coordinator, and complaints of sex-based discrimination for all community members are handled under the University鈥檚 Sexual Misconduct Policy. Complaints under this Policy received by the Title VI Coordinator or another resource may be routed to another department to be processed under another University policy as appropriate.
For further support and dialogue, community members are also invited to discuss reported concerns with the Office of Community Belonging.
The University reserves the right to independently investigate incidents when necessary for safety reasons, to maintain the educational environment, or when University policies may be implicated. The University also reserves the right to address hostile climate claims under this Policy in cases where an individual respondent cannot be identified.
Students may request to speak to a confidential resource at the Student Counseling Center located at TCC 270 or at (310) 506-4210 or by contacting the University Chaplain at TCC 106A or at (310) 506-8558.
Anonymous reports may be made on the anonymous Wave Tip line by calling voicemail at (310) 506-7634 or on the LiveSafe app. In the event of an emergency, call 911, followed by the Department of Public Safety at 310-506-4441, if it is safe to do so.
Application of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (sometimes called the Buckley Amendment). The purpose of FERPA is to afford certain rights to students concerning their education records. Community members can read more about FERPA in the University鈥檚 Student Records Policies.
Information related to a report made under this Policy may be shared with school officials who 鈥渘eed to know鈥 to assist in the assessment, investigation, and resolution of the report. Reporting a Title VI concern or otherwise reporting discrimination or harassment does not automatically entitle the reporter, the victim, or any other members of the community to access or receive another student鈥檚 educational records.
Training and Prevention Education
The University community is provided important training information annually that covers:
- The importance of upholding the University's values of respect and inclusion;
- The University's obligations under Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national or ethnic origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics);
- Identification and reporting procedures for incidents of discrimination or harassment; and
- The reporting process and the provision of supportive measures.
Last Updated: July 20, 2026 Policy Contact: Community Standards