UH-Victoria

Administration and Finance

Office of the Vice President for
Administration and Finance

SECTION: HUMAN RESOURCES INDEX: C-12

SUBJECT: SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

POLICY

The University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) is committed to providing a professional working and learning environment free from sexual discrimination of any kind.

Sexual misconduct is a form of sex discrimination and will not be tolerated in any form by the University. Complaints and allegations of sexual misconduct will be taken seriously.

“Sexual misconduct” is a broad term encompassing a range of non-consensual sexual activity or unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. The term includes sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual intimidation and sexual harassment. Sexual misconduct can be committed by men or women, strangers or acquaintances, and can occur between people of the same or opposite sex. This Policy applies regardless of the complainant’s or the respondent’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or gender expression. All persons will be given appropriate support and fair treatment.

All members of the University are expected to adhere to this policy, to cooperate with the UH System procedures for responding to complaints of sexual misconduct and to report conduct or behavior that they believe to be in violation of this Policy. The University is committed to the elimination of sexual misconduct through communication, clear policy, on-going education and training for its staff, faculty and students.

Consistent with its commitment to addressing sex discrimination and harassment, the University complies with Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits sex discrimination in employment. Sexual misconduct, as defined in this Policy, constitutes a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and Title VII.

PROCEDURES

General definitions and the procedural recourse for responding to complaints of sexual misconduct are set forth in UHS Administrative Policy 01.D.08, Sexual Misconduct, which provides the exclusive mechanism for handling the non-criminal investigation of any alleged sexual misconduct. The Title IX Coordinator is responsible for conducting the administrative investigation of reports of sexual misconduct and is available to discuss options, provide support, explain University policies and procedures and provide education on relevant issues.

Contact information for the UHV Title IX Coordinator:

Director, Human Resources/Affirmative Action or Laura Smith, HR/AA

(361) 570-4800, smithL@uhv.edu

Note: Please refer to the University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy, C-22, for procedural recourse for responding to unlawful discrimination and harassment incidents that do not constitute sexual misconduct.