Howard Community College

POLICIES 79 • harassing another person, either in person or through a third party; • using threatening gestures; • trespassing or breaking into a person's vehicle or residence; or • vandalism or destruction of a person's personal property. This applies to all students, employees, and visitors equally. The college reserves the right to administer additional sanctions to an offender if the incident affects the academic or work environment of the college. College disciplinary procedures are independent of any and all criminal procedures. A substantiated charge against a student of the college will subject that person to disciplinary action. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT Howard Community College (the "college") recognizes that sexual misconduct damages the integrity of the educational institution, destroys the institution's positive work and educational atmosphere, and causes psychological and physiological damage to the victim. The college condemns such illegal activity and is strongly committed to providing a learning and working environment free from any form of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is an umbrella term that includes sexual and gender-based harassment or discrimination, sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, sexual intimidation, and stalking. Howard Community College prohibits and will not tolerate sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by state and federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as amended ("Title IX") and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and also may constitute criminal activity. Howard Community College will promote a climate that is free from sexual misconduct through training, education and prevention programs. The college will also promote prompt reporting, prohibit retaliation, and promote timely, fair, and impartial investigation and resolution of reported sexual misconduct. Any employee, student, vendor, or affiliated person who engages in sexual misconduct in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to dismissal from a class, suspension from the college, termination of a contract or debarment in the case of vendors, or permanent expulsion or termination in the case of employees. All college community members are subject to this policy, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. This includes all college students, faculty, and staff, as well as third parties and contractors under the college's control. Violations of the policy may occur between individuals or groups of individuals of any sexual orientation or actual or perceived gender identity. This policy applies to sexual misconduct in connection with any college program or activity, including sexual misconduct: (1) in any college facility or on college owned or controlled property; (2) in connection with any college sponsored, recognized or approved program, visit or activity, regardless of location; (3) that impedes equal access to any college education program or activity or adversely impacts the employment of a member of the college community; or (4) that otherwise threatens the health or

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