It is the policy of Villanova University to maintain an employment and educational atmosphere free of any pressures on employees and students relating to sexual harassment. Consistent with applicable federal and state laws, the University endorses the objective that employees and students be free of situations where sexual considerations form the basis for business or educational decisions.

Sexual harassment may be described as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other physical, visual, or verbal behavior of a sexual nature where:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or education;
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the individual; or,
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic or professional performance or creating an intimidating hostile, or demeaning employment or educational environment.

Sexual harassment will not be tolerated at Villanova University, and employees or students who engage in such conduct are subject to the full range of the University's disciplinary policies.

Resolution of Complaints - Informal Procedure

The University encourages its members to attempt informal resolution of complaints of sexual harassment. The University has many offices and individuals who may be able to provide counseling on a confidential basis for a person who believes that he or she is the victim of sexual harassment. The departments of Multicultural Affairs, Dean of Students, Counseling Center, Campus Ministry, Human Resources, and the like are staffed with caring and experienced human resource and development specialists who may be able to help resolve concerns on an ad hoc and confidential basis.

Resolution of Complaints - Formal Procedure

Where a person is unable to resolve a problem of sexual harassment informally, the following procedure may be invoked for the formal examination of the allegation.
In such a case, a formal, written complaint, utilizing the University's standard form, shall be submitted to the University complaint officer. The purpose of the complaint form is to assist the complainant in formulating a concise statement of his/her concern and to assist the complaint officer to see the basic facts of the allegation, along with the complainants requested remedy. The complaint must be filed no later than six months from the date on which the subject conduct allegedly occurred.
In any event, confidentiality is essential in any effort to investigate and resolve allegations of sexual harassment. The interests of both the complainant and the respondent must be protected as information is gathered and evaluated. Therefore, only persons who have a 'need to know' within the investigation and resolution of complaints and appropriate senior administrative officials are entitled to information in the application of this procedure. University employees or students who disclose to persons not in the 'need to know' chain of information which is obtained within the informal or formal steps of this procedure will be subject to disciplinary action.

The President has appointed Kathy Byrnes, Associate Vice President for Student Life, to serve as the University's complaint officer for sexual harassment issues. Additional details and complete copies of relevant policies and procedures are available from her office, 202 Dougherty Hall, (610) 519-4550.

This Page Was Last Updated January 26, 2007