Sexual Harassment Policy Term Definition


Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Any criminal offense under the Texas Penal Code of a sexual nature, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual coercion, or other acts of sexual violence; and
  2. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
  1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or student status or participation in University activities; or
  2. such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it substantially interferes with an individual's education, employment, or participation in University activities, or creates an objectively hostile environment; or
  3. such conduct is intentionally directed towards a specific individual and has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that individual's education, employment, or participation in University activities, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Examples of inappropriate behavior that may constitute sexual misconduct and/or sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: 

  1. Intentional touching;
  2. Explicit or implicit propositions to engage in sexual activity;
  3. Gratuitous comments of a sexual nature such as explicit statements, questions, jokes or anecdotes;
  4. Remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body;
  5. Remarks about sexual activities or speculation about sexual experiences;
  6. Exposure to gratuitous sexually suggestive visual displays such as photographs, graffiti, posters, calendars or other materials;
  7. Deliberate physical interference with or restriction of an individual's movements;
  8. Persistent, unwanted sexual/romantic attention;
  9. Subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors; and/or
  10. Deliberate, repeated humiliation or intimidation based upon the sex of the individual.
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