Campus Notice

University policy on discrimination and harassment

Virginia Tech does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of the following characteristics:

age
color
disability
gender (including pregnancy)
national origin
political affiliation
race
religion
sexual orientation
veteran status

Discrimination takes place when a person's work, education, or participation in university activities is based on one of these protected characteristics. There are a very few legal exceptions.

Harassment can occur any of these situations:

1. When conduct based on one of the protected characteristics unreasonably interferes with the person's work, academics, or participation in University activities. Or when conduct based on one of these characteristics creates an environment that a reasonable person would find hostile, threatening or intimidating.

2. When a person\'s employment or education depends on submitting to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or related conduct.

BUT. . .

Harassment does not need to be sexual.
Harassment can occur even if one person does not have power over another.

Some people violate the harassment policy without meaning to. What is important is the impact of the conduct on the other person, and whether that person finds it welcome. The question is not the intent of the person engaged in the behavior, or whether this person means well.

Some Examples of Possible Discriminatory Harassment:

Mistreating someone due to their race, religion, or sexual orientation
Making fun of a person\'s disability
Unwelcome jokes
Denigrating people who are older, who are pregnant, or who come from other countries
Urging religious beliefs on someone who finds it unwelcome
Sexual harassment, including unwelcome repeated, severe or pervasive:
* unwanted touching
* sexually suggestive notes, letters, posters, or pictures
* comments about a person\'s clothing, body or personal appearance
* sexual advances or propositions, repeated requests for dates, pressure for sexual activity.

Response to Discrimination or Harassment:
Everyone is expected to keep the campus community and its programs free of discrimination and harassment. Anyone with questions is always welcome to call the Virginia Tech Office for Equal Opportunity (OEO).

Individuals who have been subject to possible discrimination or harassment usually may choose either informal or formal approaches. Many people prefer using informal approaches first, but in some cases a formal process is more appropriate:

Informal Approaches:

Speaking directly to the other person
Seeking assistance from
* Administrator
* Employee Assistance Program or Cook Counseling
* Faculty member
* Human Resources
* Supervisor
* Women\'s Center
* Office for Equal Opportunity

Formal Processes:

Students:
* Office of Judicial Affairs (for student conduct issues)
* Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education

Faculty and staff:
* Formal complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),
or the Virginia Council on Human Rights.

Staff:
* Office of Equal Employment Services of the Commonwealth Department of Human
Resource Management.

Grievance Procedures for State Employees/Anyone:

Formal complaint to OEO (using OEO\'s Formal Complaint form.) Must be made within
300 days of the offense.
Going to the police
Filing a lawsuit

Responsibilities of Administrators, Supervisors and Faculty:
Virginia Tech has an obligation to act whenever it becomes aware of possible discrimination or harassment in its community. This obligation exists even if the complainant requests that no action be taken.

It is not the responsibility of the complainant to correct the situation. If a responsible party such as a supervisor or faculty member becomes aware of possible discrimination or harassment, he or she should contact OEO immediately for guidance.

Office for Equal Opportunity
336 Burruss (0216)
Blacksburg, Va. 24061
Voice: (540) 231-7500
Text telephone: (540) 231-9460

The complete text of the Virginia Tech Antidiscrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy may be obtained from the Office for Equal Opportunity.

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