The College of Wooster (the “College”) is committed to a work and educational environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work and study in an atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits all discriminatory practices, including harassment. The College affirms its commitment to promote the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise. This commitment extends to all rights, privileges, programs and activities, including housing, employment, admissions, financial assistance, and educational and athletic programs at the College.
To that end, the College will not tolerate and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any employee, student, supervisor, vendor, customer or volunteer on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender, gender expression and/or identity, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, domestic violence victim status, or any other reason prohibited by federal, state or local law.
The conduct prohibited by this Policy includes any verbal or physical conduct that may reasonably be perceived as denigrating or showing hostility toward an individual based on any of classifications listed in the preceding paragraph. Among the types of conduct prohibited by this Policy are epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, or intimidating acts based on an individual’s protected status and/or the circulation (including by e-mail) or posting of written or graphic materials that show hostility toward an individual because of their protected status. Petty slights, annoyances, offensive utterances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) typically do not qualify as harassment.
The College of Wooster will not request or require the disclosure of genetic information except as may be permitted under the Genetic Information Nondisclosure Act. This non-discrimination policy applies to all personnel actions, including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, placement, training, advancement, transfers, demotions, or layoffs, and all matters involving compensation. The College prohibits discrimination which denies full and equal employment of, and opportunity to participate in and benefit from, the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations offered by the College, including, but not limited to, educational opportunities and access to facilities and other services by otherwise qualified individuals. The College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
This policy covers nondiscrimination in employment and in access to educational opportunities. Therefore, any member of the campus community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, and/or social access, benefits, and/or opportunities of any member of the campus community on the basis of their actual or perceived membership in the protected classes listed above is in violation of The College of Wooster’s policy on nondiscrimination. When brought to the attention of the College, any such discrimination will be appropriately remedied by the College.
All employees, supervisors and administrators are responsible to immediately bring forth any complaint of harassment and discrimination made by anyone associated with the College, as well as any situation which they observe and believe may violate this Policy. All harassment and discrimination, as prohibited by this Policy, is unacceptable on-campus, in the workplace itself, and in other related settings such as meetings with collaborators or other third parties, on business trips, and during social events. This Policy applies to faculty, staff, students and any third-party involved in or on the College’s premises and the College does not tolerate harassment by or against any of these individuals.
See the complete Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment Policy, which includes more information about nondiscrimination.
Sexual Harassment, Discrimination & Sexual Misconduct
The College has implemented a comprehensive anti-sexual harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct policy in compliance with federal laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (Title IX), which is applicable to all members of the campus community including students, faculty, administrators, staff, and visitors. Please consult the Anti-Sexual Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct Policy for details of its scope, procedures, and policies.
Other Related Policies
Some conduct that may not rise to the legal definition of discrimination and harassment may be addressed by the College’s Policy on Bullying, Hazing, and Bias-related conduct. Please note that while this Policy sets forth our goals of promoting a workplace that is free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, the Policy is not designed or intended to limit our authority to discipline or take remedial action for conduct that the Colleges deems unacceptable, regardless of whether that conduct satisfies the definition of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies:
- Civil Rights and Title IX Coordinator, Longbrake Student Wellness Center, 330-263-2385
- Director of Prevention and Advocacy, Longbrake Student Wellness Center, 330-263-2017
- Academic Resource Center (ADA), Gault Library (APEX), 330-287-1919
- Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, Lowry Center, 330-263-2356