Policy

Chestnut Hill College’s Sexual Discrimination Policy

Please Note: This policy was originally modified in April 2011 to ensure that Chestnut Hill College procedures are in compliance with the guidance issued by the Office for Civil Rights on April 4, 2011 relating to college and universities’ obligations under Title IX to respond appropriately to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Sexual harassment and sexual violence are forms of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. In addition to sexual violence, this policy addresses any discrimination or harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This policy was subsequently modified in August 2014 and August 2015 to ensure that Chestnut Hill College is in compliance with the VAWA amendments, Campus SaVE Act, the April 2014 Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence from the Office for Civil Rights, and guidance issued under The White House Document, Not Alone.

While this policy speaks specifically to harassment based on sexual discrimination, all incidents involving harassment under protected classifications as outlined in the College’s Non-Discrimination Policy, will follow the same procedures for investigation, hearing and appeal.

Policy Statement

It is the policy of Chestnut Hill College that while employed or enrolled at Chestnut Hill College no administrator, faculty member, staff member or student shall be subject to discrimination based upon sex, which can include acts of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking, by another member of the College community. Chestnut Hill College expects all members of the campus community to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others; the College believes in a zero tolerance policy for gender-based or sexual misconduct.

Included within this Policy is the College’s commitment to protect the individuals who are involved in an investigation of a potential violation of this Policy against retaliation from any member of the College community. Such retaliation will be deemed a separate basis for violating the College’s Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. For the purposes of this policy, sex discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence all fall under the category of sexual misconduct.

Policy Rationale

Chestnut Hill College values appropriate relationships, respect for all, and shared responsibility. Therefore, Chestnut Hill College is committed to fostering an educational and working environment that is free from sexual harassment and sexual violence. In recognition of and respect for the dignity of all at Chestnut Hill College, sexual misconduct in any form, cannot, and will not, be tolerated. This policy directly supports our mission in the areas of shared responsibility, social justice, and communal respect. The last decade has witnessed a heightened awareness in our society of the various forms of sexual misconduct, and a deep and sincere concern for the entire College Community prompts us to form a Policy on Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence.

The purpose of this policy is:

• To educate the community on the definitions of sexual misconduct,
• To outline the steps necessary to deal most effectively with cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, and
• To define the rights and responsibilities for members of the Chestnut Hill College community.

Scope of Policy

• This policy and the procedures set forth herein apply to and cover all members of the College community in all three Schools without exception. The College community includes all administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Title IX protects students from sexual harassment in a school’s educational programs and activities.
• The College also contracts a number of vendors on campus.  These individuals are also protected from all forms of discrimination and are held accountable to policies and procedures outlined by their respective employers.  If a vendor is accused of misconduct against a member of the College community, the College will work collaboratively with the individual’s employer.  At the request of the College these individuals may also be subject to interim measures (outlined below) while an incident is investigated and resolved.
• Employees are protected from sexual discrimination in all phases of their employment including applications, job performance, salary, and promotions.
• Members of the College community, who are traveling abroad on College business or due to a College course, are expected to comply with this Policy regardless of local laws and/or customs.
• Title IX also prohibits harassment based upon sex or sex-stereotyping.
• Members of the College community are protected from being retaliated against for filing a claim or for cooperating in an investigation
• This policy and the procedures cover all members of the College community in all three Schools for claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation under any other protected category as outlined in the College’s Non-Discrimination Policy.

Legal Definition

Discrimination or harassment on the bias of sex is a violation of Section 703 of Title VII of the l964 Civil Rights Action and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Unwelcome sexual advancements, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or a condition of an individual’s employment or academic advancement;
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the individual; or
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational, living or working environment. immediate assistance .

Title IX Coordinator

Chestnut Hill College designates Krista Bailey Murphy, Ph.D., Dean of Student Life, as the Title IX Coordinator.  Dr. Murphy can be reached at 215-248-7142 or via email at murphyk@chc.edu.  Dr. Murphy’s office is located in Fournier, Room 144.

The Title IX Coordinator oversees the College’s centralized review, investigation, and resolution
of reports of sexual misconduct. The coordinator also coordinates the College’s compliance with Title IX. The Title IX coordinator is:

• responsible for oversight of the investigation and resolution of all reports of sexual misconduct;
• knowledgeable and trained in relevant state and federal laws and College policy and procedure;
• available to advise any individual, including a complainant, a respondent, or a third party, about the courses of action available at the College, both informally and formally;
• available to provide assistance to any College community member regarding how to respond appropriately to reports of sexual misconduct;
• responsible for monitoring full compliance with all requirements and timelines specified in the complaint procedures; and
• responsible for compiling annual and semi-annual reports.

For more information on the Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harrassment and Sexual Violence Policy please see our Student Handbook.