SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

from COURSE OF STUDY FOR LICENSED AND ORDAINED MINISTRY AND ADVANCED COURSE OF STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Division of Ordained Ministry The United Methodist Church  - January 17, 2007

Students, faculty and employees of the Course of Study come under the jurisdiction of their own annual conference policies on sexual harassment. However, while the person is at the Course of Study School the following policy shall also apply.

The Course of Study School is committed by Christian faith to justice for all persons and does not tolerate any behavior, verbal or physical, by any person associated with the school, which constitutes sexual harassment against any other person associated with the school. Any person of the Course of Study School community who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment should immediately report the situation to the Director of the Course of Study School. When reporting a complaint, the individual should be prepared to furnish accurate information (i.e., date, name and facts). All such complaints will be treated in a confidential manner to the extent feasible, while permitting the school to investigate the complaint thoroughly and to take appropriate action.

The school expects the cooperation of all members of the school community with respect to avoiding such harassment.

The school will investigate all complaints. If it is determined after an investigation, that a member of the school community has violated this policy, he or she will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including suspension or termination from the school. In addition, a full report will be made to that person’s annual conference or judicatory body.

Definition of sexual harassment¹:
“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when

1. submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term of condition of an individual’s employment or academic standing; or

2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic standing decisions affecting such an individual; or

3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or study performance or creating an intimidating hostile, or offensive working or studying environment.”

¹The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Section 1604.11 of Title 29. Italicized words are added for the academic environment at the Course of Study School.

Procedures
The Course of Study School is committed to using the process outlined below to deal with allegations of sexual harassment within the school community. A sexual harassment allegation may be resolved on an informal basis.

Any member of the school community who wishes to make a formal complaint, must submit a written description of the incident to the Director.

Allegations are thoroughly investigated by the Sexual Harassment Committee which is composed of the Director and two members of the faculty chosen by the faculty. The investigation shall include a meeting with the person alleged to have engaged in harassment. The accused and/or the complainant may bring a trusted colleague (other than an attorney), committed to maintaining confidentiality, with him/her to such a meeting.

If the Sexual Harassment Committee decides inappropriate behavior has occurred, after completing the investigation, the Director takes appropriate disciplinary and/or other action related to the accused person’s participation in the Course of Study School on that campus. In addition, the Director will inform the accused person’s annual conference or judicatory body of the action taken.

Those called to investigate the allegations take appropriate steps to ensure that a person who in good faith brings forth a complaint of sexual harassment will not be subjected to retaliation. The Course of Study School also takes steps to ensure that a person against whom such a complaint is brought is treated appropriately and has adequate opportunity to respond to such accusations.

The complainant and the person complained against are notified of the disposition of the complaint. If the disposition involves any ongoing process, the Director keeps the complainant informed until the process is completed.

Appeal Process
If the accuser or the accused is not satisfied with the action taken by the Course of Study School, s/he may express such dissatisfaction in writing to the Director of Board of Ordained Ministry Relations, Division of Ordained Ministry, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry within 15 days after receiving the notification of the disposition of the complaint.