Equal Opportunity, Discrimination and Harassment

The College for Creative Studies subscribes to the principle of equal opportunity in its employment, admissions, and educational programs and activities and strives to provide an educational environment and workplace free from unlawful harassment or discrimination. The College is committed to an inclusive community that respects and values all its members, including students, faculty, and staff. This Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct (including Title IX) (“Policy”) prohibits discrimination, including harassment, because of age, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. This prohibition includes discrimination and harassment based on the perception of an individual’s protected status, even if that perception is incorrect. It also prohibits misconduct related to protected status discrimination and harassment specifically, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. The Policy applies to the administration of employment and educational policies, practices, programs, and activities.

The Policy also prohibits retaliation against an individual: (1) who files a complaint or report of discrimination, harassment, or related misconduct; (2) against whom a complaint is filed; (3) who participates in the reporting, investigation, or adjudication of possible violations of this Policy; or (4) who engages in good faith opposition to what the individual reasonably believes to be discrimination, harassment, or related misconduct under this Policy. The Policy should be read in a way consistent with all applicable federal and state laws addressing discrimination, harassment, and related misconduct.

This Policy specifically prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender- based harassment, sexual exploitation, stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence. In some cases, this conduct is also prohibited by or included in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and/or the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Sexual misconduct represents a serious breach of the College’s commitment to fostering a positive educational and working environment. An individual who violates this Policy may also be subject to criminal prosecution and civil litigation in addition to College disciplinary procedures. As described in the annual security report (see “Sexual Assault/Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Programs”), with the intent of ending sexual misconduct, the College conducts primary prevention and awareness programs for all incoming students and new employees and ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns for students and employees.

The Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion is responsible for administering this Policy and its implementing procedures. The Title IX Coordinator is the College’s designated Coordinator for Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Dean of Students is the Coordinator for Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for educational matters and for the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; and the Human Resources Director is the Section 504 Coordinator for employment matters.