Sexual Harassment can devastate psychological health, well being and vocational development. People who have been harassed often change their jobs, career goals, job assignments, educational programs or academic majors. Additionally, some people have reported psychological and physical reaction to being harassed that are similar to other forms of stress.
No student or employee of the district shall engage in sexual harassment, which is a form of discrimination on the basis of sex. For general policy and procedure purposes, sexual harassment may be described as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other physical and expressive behavior of a sexual nature.
Generally, sexual harassment includes any sexual attention that is unwelcome. Harassment means conduct amounting to more than an occasional, isolated or trivial act or remark.
Consensual romantic or sexual relationships between a supervisor and employee or a faculty member and a student in the faculty member’s class can create significant problems and, therefore, the district strongly discourages such relationships and any conduct (such as dating) that might reasonably be expected to lead to a romantic or sexual relationship.
A complaint alleging a violation of one or more of the foregoing provisions in this procedure may be filed by any employee or student affected by the conduct or action, i.e., the complainant.
Any person may report an alleged violation of this procedure whether or not the person is affected by the conduct or action.
Any administrator who becomes aware that a student or employee is being sexually harassed by a district employee or student is required to report the alleged violation. Alleged violations concerning an employee should be reported to the campus human resources director at 972-860-4825. Alleged violations concerning a student should be reported to the vice president of learning and student success at 972-860-4802. Any supervisor who becomes aware that one of the supervised employees is being sexually harassed by a district employee is required to report the alleged violation to the appropriate party referenced in above paragraph.
Any faculty member who becomes aware that one of the faculty member’s students is being sexually harassed by a district employee is required to report the alleged violation to the appropriate party referenced in above paragraph.
A person who is malicious or intentionally dishonest in reporting a violation is subject to disciplinary action.
At the complainant’s option, an informal complaint may be made to the campus human resources director, the vice president of student development, or both.
A complainant wishing to make a formal complaint shall file it, in writing, with the district director of human resources, if the complainant is an employee, or with the vice chancellor of educational affairs, if a student. The district person receiving a complaint shall send a copy of the complaint to the highest level administrator at the campus.
The decision to take formal action in cases in which an employee is charged will be made by the next to highest level administrator at the campus.
The decision to take formal action in cases in which a student is charged will be made by the vice president of student development or equivalent position.
Investigations of complaints will be initiated only with the complainant's consent unless the conduct reported is sufficiently severe or pervasive that the district believes it must investigate the complaint. The complainant will be informed fully of steps taken during the investigation.
At the time the investigation begins, the accused will be informed of the written allegations.
To the extent possible, the proceedings will be conducted in a confidential manner calculated to protect the interests of both parties.
Copies of the DCCCD Sexual Harassment Policy in its entirety may be obtained from Human Resources in Building A, Room A235.
For more information, see your campus human resources director or vice president of student development.