Sexual Harassment Policy

It is the policy of Chicago State University that the sexual harassment of one member of the academic community by another will not be tolerated. This policy applies to all members of the campus community: students, employees, and visitors. It applies to incidents which occur on University property, as well as off campus functions sponsored or supervised by the University. One of Chicago State University's goals is to foster an open learning and working environment free from sexual harassment and from the fear that it may occur.

Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the State of Illinois Human Rights Act. Sexual harassment has been defined as:

"unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment."

There are two categories of behaviors which may constitute sexual harassment. "quid pro quo" refers to situations in which a tangible benefit (a grade, a job, a promotion) is contingent upon the performance of sexual favors. This occurs in situations of unequal power such as supervisor/subordinate in the workplace or faculty/student in the classroom. The second category, "hostile environment," refers to patterns of behavior or incidents (including verbal, non verbal, physical, or other) which may seem harmless as individual events, but which may be considered intimidating, hostile, or offensive when taken together.

Intimate relationships between faculty and students, as well as between supervisors and subordinates raise serious professional concerns. When one party has power over the other, the relationship is inherently unequal. The faculty member or supervisor cannot be certain that the relationship is truly welcome or consensual. If the relationship deteriorates, possible allegations of "quid pro quo" harassment may arise. Furthermore, others who perceive preferential treatment between the parties to the relationship may feel themselves in an offensive environment.

All University employees in a supervisory role have the duty to report to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office any alleged sexual harassment and/or behavior that creates a hostile environment, as soon as they become aware of the allegation, even in the absence of a complaint.

To report sexual harassment contact the
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
Phone: (773) 995-2462
Administration Building
Room 318.