The University is committed to preventing, correcting, and disciplining incidents of unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. In 2006, the Council of the University Senate adopted a Policy on Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment. The excerpt from the policy below defines sexual harassment. The complete policy is available at www.uchicago.edu/docs/policies/provostoffice/unlawdiscrimharass2006.pdf.

Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually-directed remarks or behavior constitute sexual harassment when:

1. submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a basis for an academic or employment decision, or a term or condition of either; or
2. such conduct directed against an individual persists despite its rejection.

Unlawful harassment based on [...sex] is verbal or physical conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or educational program participation, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

Expression occurring in an academic, educational, or research context is broadly protected by academic freedom. Such expression will not constitute sexual harassment unless (in addition to satisfying the above definition) it is targeted at a specific person or persons, is abusive, and serves no bona fide academic purpose.

Sexual harassment can take many forms and can occur between individuals of the same or opposite sex. Without feeling constrained by specific definitions, any person who believes that his or her educational or work experience is compromised by sexual harassment should feel free to discuss the problem with a Complaint Advisor.

The University’s prohibition of sexual harassment includes peer harassment among students, faculty, and staff. Sexual harassment of a student by a faculty member or teaching assistant, or of a staff member by a supervisor, is considered particularly serious: it constitutes an abuse of power and authority entrusted by the University.

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