Sexual Misconduct

status, sexual orientation, disability, status as special disabled veterans or qualified veterans of the Vietnam era, or status in any group protected by federal or state or local law (i.e., Protected Categories). This policy applies to all incidents of alleged harassment, including those that occur off-premises or off-hours, where the alleged offender is a supervisor, coworker, student, or even a non-employee with whom the employee or student is involved, directly or indirectly, in a professional, academic, or business relationship or in a potential professional, academic, or business relationship. The Seminary does not tolerate sexual or other unlawful harassment by any employee, student, volunteer, vendor, contractor, consultant, customer, or visitor. Harassment is a breach of Seminary policy and a violation of state and/or federal law. In addition to any disciplinary action that the Seminary may take, up to and including termination of employment (employee) or dismissal (student), offenders may also be personally liable for any legal and monetary damages.

The president of the Seminary has the overall responsibility to maintain effective enforcement of nondiscrimination and anti-harassment policies.

The Seminary’s full policy statement on nondiscrimination and antiharassment, including prohibited harassment and complaint procedure, is published in the Student Handbook and the Employee Handbook.

Persons with a disability who have questions about the admissions process should contact the Office of Admissions. An employee who believes they have been discriminated against should consult the Employee Handbook for procedures on reporting the incident. Students should follow the procedures outlined in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Handbook.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY Sexual misconduct constitutes behavior that is unacceptable and will not be tolerated at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The following is a brief summary of the Seminary’s Sexual Misconduct Policy statement, which is published in full in the Seminary’s Student Handbook and in the Employee Handbook. Sexual misconduct is defined as the threat or the commission of behavior used to obtain sexual gratification against another’s will or at the expense of another such as inducing fear, shame, or mental suffering. Sexual misconduct includes unwanted sexual acts or actions, whether by an acquaintance, a person in the position of authority, or a stranger, that occur without indication of consent of both individuals or under threat or coercion. Sexual misconduct can occur either forcibly and/or against a person’s will, or when a person is incapable of giving consent. Silence does not in and of itself constitute consent. The victim of sexual misconduct may be anyone, including but not limited to, adults, adolescents, minors, the developmentally disabled, and vulnerable individuals regardless of age. All members of the Austin Seminary community, including, but not limited to students, faculty (including adjunct faculty), field supervisors, staff, other employees, trustees, volunteers, and independent contractors are subject to the Seminary’s Sexual Misconduct Policy.

A person who is the victim of sexual misconduct, has knowledge of another person being the victim of sexual misconduct, or believes in good faith that thay have witnessed signs of sexual abuse of a child or other protected person as defined in the Seminary’s Sexual Misconduct Policy