Sexual Harrassment Policy

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender. Sexual harassment is a form of gender-based discrimination. Great Falls College Montana State University prohibits and will not tolerate sexual harassment on its premises, within any of its programs, services or other College-sponsored activities, or by anyone acting as an agent of the College.

Great Falls College Montana State University uses the definition of sexual harassment set forth by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which states:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual’s employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.

Title IX extends these protections to include students. Other consumers and members of the general public who come into contact with the College or its agents are covered by this policy as well.

Any employee who believes he or she is experiencing sexual harassment should immediately contact the College’s Director of Human Resources to discuss options for resolving the issue. Students should contact the Executive Director of Student Services, and anyone else should contact the College’s Dean. Individuals are generally encouraged to attempt to resolve the issue informally by discussing their concerns with the alleged harasser, his or her supervisor, or both. However, the College recognizes that sexual harassment is a sensitive and potentially volatile issue, and if it is not feasible for the harassed individual to follow this recommended procedure, the appropriate agent should be contacted initially to begin an investigation. All complaints will be handled with discretion, and information provided in the initial complaint and during the course of the investigation will remain as confidential as possible. The identity of both the complainant and the alleged harasser will be protected.

Any individual found to be guilty of violating the College’s sexual harassment policy will be subject to discipline commensurate with the nature of the offense. Disciplinary action up to and including termination (or dismissal in the case of a student, termination of a contract in the case of a contractual relationship, or restricted access to the College in the case of a member of the general public) may be implemented.

Individuals who submit complaints and/or participate in the investigation process are protected from retaliation due to their participation. Anyone engaging in retaliatory behavior will be in violation of the College’s sexual harassment policy, and therefore subject to appropriate disciplinary action as outlined above.

Great Falls College Montana State University is committed to providing and ensuring a safe, positive learning environment that is free from harassment. A complete version of this policy may be obtained from Human Resources, Student Central, or online in the Great Falls College MSU Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct.