Policy on Harassment
Chemeketa is committed to providing everyone with an environment focused on learning and growth, free of discrimination or harassment. Such behaviors will not be tolerated and are against college policies.
Every member of the college community, students and employees, is expected to keep Chemeketa's work and educational environment free of any conduct that causes intimidation, hostility or discrimination.
Given these goals, the college is making every effort to notify students and employees of their rights and responsibilities under the college's Harassment/Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Respectful Workplace, and Consensual Relationships Policies and Procedures.
What is Harassment?
Harassment is any verbal, visual or physical behavior reasonably perceived by the receiver as unwelcome or offensive and refers in a demeaning way to a person's race, religion, color, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and related conditions, family relationship, veterans status, or cigarette usage; creates a hostile or adverse work or educational environment; and subjects employees or students to different terms or conditions based on the characteristics listed above.
Examples of harassment may include, but are not limited to, comments, slurs, jokes, symbols, innuendoes, cartoons, pranks, touch or other forms of physical harassment. An occurrence does not have to be considered "derogatory" for harassment to have happened.
Most Common Types of Harassment
Sexual Harassment: sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal
or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The courts have defined two principle
types of sexual harassment:
(1) when a person in a position of power misuses
his or her authority, and
(2) when a hostile environment is created.
Gender and Gender Identity Based Harassment: behavior that degrades, denigrates, ridicules, or is verbally or physically abusive to an employee or student because of his or her gender.
Racial Harassment: behavior that degrades, denigrates, ridicules or is verbally or physically abusive to an employee or student because of his or her perceived race.
Harassment Based on National Origin: behavior that degrades, denigrates, ridicules or is verbally or physically abusive to an employee or student because of his or her perceived ancestry, heritage or cultural identification.
Sexual Orientation Harassment: behavior that degrades, denigrates, ridicules, or is verbally or physically abusive to an employee or student because of his or her sexual orientation.
Consensual Relationships Statement
The college has a responsibility to promote an atmosphere of professionalism, respect, and trust and to prevent any appearance of impropriety. The decision-making processes must be seen by employees and students as fair and without favoritism.
A consensual relationship is a close personal relationship of a romantic or sexual nature between willing participants who both are of legal age and possess legal capacity.
College Policy and Procedure 1753 addresses consensual relationships between students and college employees and supervisors and employees. Employees involved in a consensual relationship with another employee or student are prohibited from supervising or making grading decisions related to that person.
In consensual relationships involving employees, or employees and students, it is the responsibility of the person with the most power to make explicit arrangements to assure that the decision-making processes will be fair and without favoritism.
Employees will work with their supervisor in making arrangements to comply with this policy.
Nonretaliation Statement
It is critical that everyone feel free to come forward with complaints or concerns regarding inappropriate conduct. Retaliation against any person for making a complaint or for providing information concerning a complaint is prohibited. Examples of retaliation may include, but are not limited to, such actions as expulsion, suspension or termination.
Complaint Procedure
Step 1: Informal Complaint Procedure
If appropriate and safe, anyone alleging a violation should meet with the person and ask them to stop the offensive behavior. You might also write to the person, stating that you view the behavior as unlawful harassment and that you will report these actions if they continue. Be sure to keep a copy.
OR
Consult with a member of the Harassment Network to explore your options and begin to keep a record of the harassment: track dates, times, places and statements.
OR
Conflict Resolution: Employees contact the college's Human Resources Director/Affirmative
Action Officer. Students contact the Dean of Students.
(1) Students: See #5 in Students Rights &
Responsibilities.
(2) Employees: See College Policy and Procedures,
#1750, 1751, 1752, 1753.
Step 2: Formal Complaint Procedure
You may file a complaint with:
- Human Resources Director/Affirmative Action Officer;
- The Executive Dean;
- The Dean of Students;
- The Director of College Safety & Risk Management.
Formal complaints should be made within 180 days of the action, but you may file a complaint at any time.
If warranted, the Human Resources Director/Affirmative Action Officer or their designee will conduct an investigation or may use an outside investigator to do so.
Please Note: If you feel your personal safety is at risk or a crime is being committed, contact Public Safety immediately, 503.399.5023.
Who Can Assist You
Make an appointment to see one of the following individuals to discuss the situation with you, and advise you of the available options.
Harassment Network
Cassie Belmodis 503.399.5159
Coordinator, Health & Physical Education, Athletic DirectorAndrew Bone 503.399.6529
Executive DeanCandy Brummond 503.399.2381
Counselor, Counseling and Career ServicesJim Eustrom 503.399.6148
Dean of StudentsLaney Furr 503.399.6163
FacultyTed Gross 503.316.3290
Advising Specialist, McMinnvilleIrma Guzman* 503.316.3255
Office Assistant, WoodburnRebecca Hillyer 503.399.8677
Director, Campus Safety & Risk ManagementJulie Huckestein 503.399.6575
Asst. CFO, Business Services and Human ResourcesJames McNicholas* 503.589.7644
Student Recruitment Coord., Marketing and Student RecruitmentRebecca Bolante 503.399.5276
Coordinator, Disability Services
*Se habla espanol
Updated August 5, 2008 by Web Services