Hostile Environment and Harassment A work or learning environment is “hostile” when unwelcome verbal, non-verbal or physical behavior of a prohibited nature is severe and pervasive enough to unreasonably interfere with an employee’s work or a student’s learning, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment to a “reasonable person.” The hostile environment standard focuses on the “poisoning” of a work or learning environment rather than on tangible actions directed against a person. An employer, teacher, co-worker, vendor, or fellow student can create a hostile environment. Individuals holding positions of authority are responsible for ensuring that employees or students do not create a hostile environment. A single incident or a few incidents may not necessarily rise to the level of illegal harassment; however, a single extreme incident could constitute prohibited discrimination or harassment. Each matter needs to be evaluated individually. If severe and pervasive enough to interfere with work or learning, the following types of conduct may create a hostile environment: • • • • • • •
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Jokes or insults. Flirting. Comments about a person’s body or sex life. Sexually degrading comments. Repeated invitations for dates. Abusive language directed at a person because of his or her belonging to a protected class. Sexually crude hand gestures, leering at the body, sexually suggestive winking, standing too close.
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Display of posters, cartoons, etc. regarding sexually suggestive themes, race, religion, etc. Pornography. Sexually suggestive “gifts.” Stalking behavior. Touching, hugging, kissing, or patting. Intentional and repeated brushing or bumping against a person’s body. Restraining or blocking a person’s movement.
Some behaviors, which may be acceptable in certain contexts, are inappropriate in the workplace or classroom, particularly if an objection is expressed. Whether or not the behavior is contrary to law or university policy depends upon the circumstances of each case. Taken from http://www.ohsu.edu/aaeo/investigation/hostile_environment.html • •
For Campus Public Safety Office Information, go to: http://www.pdx.edu/cpso/safety-security For policies, go to: http://www.pdx.edu/fadm/internal-management-directives
Alcohol Policy • The PSU campus has been designated “Drug free” and only under certain circumstances is the consumption of alcohol permitted. The possession, sale, manufacture or distribution of any controlled substance is illegal under both state and federal laws. Such laws are strictly enforced by the Campus Public Safety Office. • Violators are subject to University disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, fine and imprisonment. It is unlawful to sell, furnish or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The possession of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age in a public place or a place open to the public is illegal. It is also a violation of the PSU Alcohol Policy for anyone to consume or possess alcohol in any public or private area of campus without prior University approval. Organizations or groups 20