Explanations and Definitions of Discriminatory Misconduct Harassment
Harassment is unwelcome or uncomfortable conduct that is based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or genetic information. It is offensive to a reasonable person and has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work or educational performance. Harassment creates an abusive, hostile, or intimidating environment for work or learning. Hate Speech Hate Speech is any form of communication expressing hate or encouraging violence toward a person or group, often based on any of the identifiers above. Bias Bias is disproportionate treatment of a person, group, concept, or object based on any of the identifiers above. It can be for or against an entity, and is often based on prejudice, close-mindedness, or unfair opinions. Bias can be overt or covert; and may be innate or learned. Sexual Identity, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Discrimination Sexual Identity, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Discrimination is when a person treats another person unfairly or disrespectfully because of their sexual identity, gender identity or gender expression. Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records), and the behavior does not have to be intentional or severe to violate this policy. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents, conflicts, or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying. While the following behaviors are certainly examples of serious misconduct and will be subject to disciplinary action, they are not categorized as bullying: o single episodes of social rejection or dislike o single episode acts of nastiness or spite o random acts of aggression or intimidation o mutual arguments, disagreements or fights. These actions can cause great distress. However, they do not fit the definition of bullying and they’re not examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately and repeatedly doing them. The school’s administrative team, including its counselors and deans, will determine whether a student’s misconduct constitutes bullying. Relational Aggression Relational aggression is behavior intended to harm, or threatens to harm, others through deliberate manipulation of their social standing and relationships. Relational aggression may be direct or covert; and it may be either planned or in response to, another person or group’s actions. It may be directed at a peer, peer group or a potential or actual romantic partner.
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