Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct
Policy Number: OAE-1100-001
Effective Date: August 14, 2020
Policy Title: Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct
Vice Chancellor/Associate Chancellor: Office of the Chancellor
Unit Responsible for Policy: Office for Access and Equity
Contact: Title IX Coordinator
Policy Statement: UIC is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, sexual violence, and sexual and gender-based harassment (collectively referred to as “Sexual Misconduct”). UIC prohibits and will not tolerate Sexual Misconduct of or by students, employees, patients, or visitors. UIC will take prompt and fair action to eliminate such conduct, prevent its recurrence, and remedy its effects through interim protective measures and accommodations, equitable investigations, and disciplinary processes. Employees and students in violation of this policy may face sanctions up to and including termination or expulsion. The Office for Access and Equity, through its Title IX Coordinator, has the authority to conduct investigations, to determine when there have been violations of this policy based on the standard of preponderance of evidence, and then make recommendations in accordance with the relevant University policies for students, employees, patients, or visitors.
UIC encourages good faith reports of Sexual Misconduct and prohibits retaliation against any person who reports Sexual Misconduct and/or who participates in a Title IX investigation or resultant disciplinary process.
All employees are considered to be “Responsible Employees” with the authority and responsibility to report Sexual Misconduct to University Officials. Employees who are exempted from this reporting requirement are professional or pastoral counselors who provide work-related mental-health counseling, campus advocates who provide confidential victim assistance, and employees who are otherwise prohibited by law from disclosing information received in the course of providing professional care and treatment.
Reason for Policy: To ensure that UIC is compliant with federal and state laws related to sex discrimination, which includes sexual violence, Sexual Misconduct, and sexual and gender-based harassment. This policy updates the existing policy to mandate that the University’s faculty and staff report incidents involving Sexual Misconduct to the Title IX coordinator.
Minority Impact Statement: The policy does not have any disproportionate or unique impact on UIC’s minority students, staff, or faculty.
Who Should Read the Policy: All students, faculty, staff, and administrators at UIC.
Definitions:
- Sexual Misconduct: Discrimination on the basis of sex may include sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and other sexual misconduct (including, but not sexual assault, sexual violence, and sexual abuse). Sexual misconduct is the term used in this policy to encompass unwanted or unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is committed without valid consent. Also included in this term is any abusive behavior that arises out of an actual or perceived intimate relationship (e.g. domestic or dating violence and stalking). Sexual misconduct may occur between people of the same gender or different gender identifications.
- University: Refers to UIC.
Procedures: Procedures, reporting options, and resources are outlined on the UIC Sexual Misconduct website.
Related Laws, Regulations, Statutes, and Policies: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 106; Section 304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), 20 U.S.C. 1092(f), and its implementing regulations, 34 C.F.R. Part 668.46; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”); the Illinois Human Rights Act; the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act, 105 ILCS 155/1 et seq.; and related UIC and University of Illinois System policies.
Revised: August 14, 2020
Document History: July 27, 2016 - Prohibition of Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct