Definitions (specific to this Policy)

Discrimination:

Unjust unequal treatment of an individual or a group based on a personal characteristic or status that is protected under the local laws of the country where the educational programme is being provided.

Discriminatory Harassment:

Unjust and unwelcome conduct directed at an individual or a group based on a personal characteristic or status that is protected under the local laws of the country where the educational programme is being provided when one or more of the following are present:

  • Submission to such conduct is unreasonably used as the basis of decisions affecting the individual with regard to employment, education or University activities or opportunities and/or becomes a condition of continued employment, education, or access to University activities or opportunities; or
  • Such conduct is so severe and/or pervasive that a reasonable person would consider it to be so intimidating, hostile and/or abusive that it would have the effect of interfering with a reasonable person’s educational or job performance or access to University activities or opportunities.

Discrimination and Discriminatory harassment are not limited to face-to-face occurrence and can be verbal, physical, written, or electronic.

Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless repeated/severe/persistent/extreme) may not rise to the level to constitute discriminatory harassment.

In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes discrimination or discriminatory harassment, the record as a whole, will be considered, as well as the totality of the circumstances, such as the nature of the alleged conduct, the power differential between the parties, and the context in which the alleged conduct occurred, whether the alleged conduct is severe and pervasive and will be judged using a reasonable person standard, not the subjective feelings of the individual(s) allegedly subjected to the conduct. Any assessment or investigation will be guided by the principles of fairness.

Inquiries by students regarding this policy may be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students at dos@sgu.edu.

A person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment in violation of this policy may make a report of the incident to the contacts listed below. Incidents should be reported as soon as possible after the time of occurrence. Upon receipt of a report, the University will review the report in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures.