Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment of any member of the Dartmouth community constitutes a violation of the College's equal opportunity policy and in some instances, the Student Standards of Conduct.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is antithetical to the College mission and to the values that guide our work. Thus, it is critical that student staff applicants understand the definition of sexual harassment and the expectation to abide by these policies if appointed to a staff position.

Dartmouth College defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

  • Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or status as a student
  • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting him or her, or for the awarding or withholding of favorable employment or academic opportunities, evaluations, or assistance
  • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment

Your Role as a UGA

Your potential role as a UGA places you in a position of responsibility and power over residents. The inherent authority of staff members can imply intimidation and/or coercion. Engaging in behaviors that can be construed as (or which truly are) abuses of power for the purposes of personal gain, awarding or withholding favors, opportunities or services, or which can result in claims of favoritism, can severely compromise your integrity and effectiveness.

Examples of how undergraduate staff may abuse the power of their position include:

  • coercion for sexual favors
  • "hooking up" with residents
  • sexual advances
  • inappropriate or unwanted touching
  • dating residents
  • offensive jokes

Please consider these expectations carefully before you enter the UGA selection process. If offered a position, you will be asked to sign a contract that acknowledges your understanding of and agreement to comply with this and other College policies. Violation of this policy or engaging in behavior that compromises your ability to serve effectively as a staff member will be grounds for employment discipline, possibly including employment termination.

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