Policy and Procedures on Discrimination and Harassment

Resources and Support for Students

If you or someone you know has beenthe victim of any of the above-mentioned violations, you should FIRST get to safety. Dialing 911will alert the Hamilton Police Department and GCTS Campus Safety. The Student Life Services staff is available to assist in these matters as well.Click herefor a list of other available resources.

LEAD TITLE IX COORDINATOR Jana Holiday

Dean of Students Kerr Building, Room 318 130 Essex Street, South Hamilton, MA 01982 Phone: 978-646-4052 Email: mailto:jholiday@gordonconwell.eduor titleixcoordinator@gordonconwell.edu

Questions about Title IX can be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)of the U.S. Department of Education.

The purpose of this policy to help insure all members of the Gordon-Conwell Community understand the prohibition against harassment. All members of the Seminarycommunity are encouraged to reflect upon the issue of discrimination and harassment as it might affect the lives and conduct of others. Further, anyone who may be the victim of harassment should be aware of the procedure for reporting such incidents.

BehaviorthatconstitutesdiscriminationorharassmentisprohibitedbyTitleVIIofthe1964 CivilRightsAct,includes,butisnotlimitedto,slurs,coarsejestingwithracial/ethnic/gender overtones,andotherformsofcommunicationresultingindisparagementorintimidation.

Gordon-Conwellwelcomeswomentoallitsdegreeprograms,seekingtobuildacommunityin whichallofChrist'speople,regardlessofgender,findwarmacceptance.SincetheSeminary acceptswomenwhoaretrainingforthispurpose,theresponsibilityofstudents,faculty,staff, andadministrationistorelatetooneanothersothatChrist'scallcanbepursuedfreely withouttheimpedimentofexclusiveorinsensitivewordsandactions.Womenpreparingfor ministry,therefore,shouldreceivepersonalencouragementfromallmembersofthe community.Tothatend,theSeminaryiscommittedtothefullinclusionofwomen,their contributionsandconcerns,inrecruitmentandadmissionofstudents,forteaching,for administeringandplanningcurriculum,chapels,andconvocations,andforfillingfaculty, administrative,andotherappointments.

Gordon-ConwellTheologicalSeminarydoesnotdiscriminateonthebasisofrace,gender, color,nationalorethnicorigin,age,handicap,orveteranstatus.Thisstatementappliesto everymemberofourcampuscommunityandisadheredtostrictly.

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Reporting Procedure

A reporting form can be found online.Once the form is completed,it may be submitted to Campus Safety, the Dean of Students, Dorm/Apartment RLC, or the Dean oftheHamilton campus. Reports also may be made via email or in person to the appropriate office or person.

Grievance Procedure on Harassment

The grievance procedure is available to any Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminarycommunity resident or student who thinks he or shehas been subjected to or affected by discrimination in the form of harassment within the Seminarycommunity as defined in the policy statement.

Informal Procedure:

The informal procedure consists of arequest for advice or counsel to evaluate perceptions or clarify issues. Students might seek out their faculty mentor, Residence Life Coordinator, the Dean of Students,or the Dean of the campus. Non-students, living in on-campus housing, might talk with their Residence Life Coordinator. If resolution is not achieved by the informal procedure and the person wishes to pursue the matter, formal recourse shall follow.

Formal Procedure:

Students: The student shall present in writing a description of the problem to the Dean of Students and make an appointment to meet with the Dean or designated person. Written complaints shall be submitted as near in time to the actual incident(s) as possible. An investigation will be initiatedincluding discussion with all parties involved. The Pastoral Guidance Committee (see Policy and Procedures for Disciplinary Action) may be convened to investigate the case and make recommendation for action. Complaints shall be handled quickly, fairly,and thoroughly.

Non-Student Community Resident: Non-student community residents will follow the same procedure as that described for students.

Appeals:

In the event of a response, decision,or action being unacceptable to any partydue to additional information or procedural inconsistencies, formal complaints can be appealed to the President’s Office. Exceptions can apply where the Campus Safety Department advises other action be taken by necessity of law.

Confidentiality:

In all cases of harassment complaints, confidentiality will be observed as far as possible by processing complaints discreetly. Given that discussions and investigations may involve several people, however, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Be assured that discretion and respect shall be observed.

Student Grievance against a Faculty Member

While conflict may be inevitable, our hope is that any differences can be resolved in such a way that growth occurs. We are a learning community, and as such,our posture ought to be in readiness to experience the formation that God intends. We will live according to biblical

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