Harassment & Discrimination Policy
Policy Statement
In order to promote a respectful and productive work environment, harassment of any kind is not acceptable at Duke. Duke also prohibits harassment and discrimination based upon an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Harassment occurs when unwelcome verbal or physical conduct, because of its severity and/or persistence, interferes significantly with an individual's work or education, or adversely affects an individual's living conditions. Harassment also occurs when a person uses a position of authority to engage in unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
The conduct alleged to constitute harassment is evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable person similarly situated to the individual complaining and in consideration of the surrounding circumstances and facts. It is important to know that harassment is distinguished from behavior that, even though unpleasant or disconcerting, is appropriate to the responsibilities of certain instructional, advisory, or supervisory roles.
Policy Details
Administrative responsibility for implementing the Duke’s policies prohibiting harassment and discrimination rests with the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE). The Assistant Vice President and Director, Title IX Compliance is the University's designated Title IX Coordinator and responsible for implementing Title IX. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment. View OIE's website for more information about Duke’s harassment and discrimination policies, OIE and Title IX. The website also provides contact information for the Vice President for Institutional Equity and the Director of Title IX Compliance.
| Policy Number: 03.04 |
Related Links
Diversity & Institutional Equity Policy