Section 132E-120-380. Equal opportunity—Title IX.

(1) Everett Community College is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, employees, and patrons.

(2) The college provides equal opportunity in program activities and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, or status as a veteran of war as required by law.

(3) Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment.

(4) Harassment is defined, for the purpose of this policy, as unwelcome and unauthorized incidents and/or patterns of conduct and/or speech that are severe, persistent, or pervasive. When such conduct or action is based on a person's or persons'

(a) race,

(b) color,

(c) religious belief,

(d) sex,

(e) marital status,

(f) sexual orientation,

(g) gender identity or expression,

(h) national or ethnic origin,

(i) disability,

(j) genetic information,

(k) veteran status, or

(l) age,

and which:

(i) The harasser either knows, or should know, will have the effect of making the college environment hostile, intimidating, or demeaning to the victim; and

(ii) In fact renders the college environment (including the environment for employees, students, and patrons) hostile, intimidating, or demeaning for the victim.

(5) Sexual harassment is defined, for the purposes of this policy, as unwelcome sexual advances, requests, and other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature where:

(a) Submission to such conduct is made, either expressly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual's employment or education; or

(b) Submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or educational decisions affecting such individual; or

(c) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's academic or professional performance; or

(d) The conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning employment or educational environment.

(6) Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It occurs in a variety of situations which share a common element: The inappropriate introduction of sexual activities or comments into the work or learning situation, the creation of relationships of unequal power and/or elements of coercion, and sexual assault. In addition, third parties may submit claims if a sexual relationship unfairly confers preferential treatment to participant(s) in the relationship.

(7) The college is committed to responding to complaints and will take immediate and appropriate steps to investigate what occurred and take prompt and effective action to end the harassment, remedy the effects, and prevent it from occurring again.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. WSR 14-04-048, § 132E-120-380, filed 1/27/14, effective 2/27/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 28B.50 and 28B.10 RCW. WSR 07-11-165, § 132E-120-380, filed 5/23/07, effective 6/23/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. WSR 00-17-015, § 132E-120-380, filed 8/3/00, effective 9/3/00.]

RCW 28B.50.140. WSR 14-04-048, § 132E-120-380, filed 1/27/14, effective 2/27/14. Statutory Authority: Chapters 28B.50 and 28B.10 RCW. WSR 07-11-165, § 132E-120-380, filed 5/23/07, effective 6/23/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140. WSR 00-17-015, § 132E-120-380, filed 8/3/00, effective 9/3/00.