Sexual Discrimination & Harassment Policy & Complaint Procedure

Sexual Discrimination/Harassment Complaints

Eastern Arizona College does not discriminate against potential or existing employees or students on the basis of their gender or sexual preference(s).  In concert with this policy, the College enforces a no-tolerance rule regarding evidence of sexual harassment by any of its employees, any of its students and/or any third parties contracted by the College that might otherwise engage in sexual harassment against any other employee, any applicant for employment, and/or any student applying to or in attendance at the College.  Furthermore, the College considers sexual harassment to be a major infraction of the professional integrity of its employees and/or students, or whosoever engages in such practice, and will take steps to the furthest extent of the law to suspend or otherwise discharge the perpetrator from employment or continued enrollment at the College, and will cooperate with legal authorities in pursuit of appropriate legal action.

Any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when:

1. Submission to the conduct is made either an explicit or implicit condition of employment or academic standing;

2. Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as the basis for an employment decision affecting an employee or applicant for employment; or is used as the basis for an academic decision affecting a student; and/or,

3. The harassment substantially interferes with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment; or interferes with a student’s academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive academic environment.

Bringing a Complaint

Any employee, applicant for employment or student who believes that he/she or another employee, applicant for employment, or student, (1) has been discriminated against on the basis of gender and/or sexual preference(s), or (2) has been sexually harassed, should promptly report the matter to any academic administrator at the College (i.e., college dean or vice president). Any academic officer or other administrator of the College who receives a report of sexual harassment must present the allegations to the College President as soon as reasonably possible. The College President or personnel designated by the College President shall investigate any and all complaints of sexual harassment. A complaint arising from a Graham County site may be reported to the Chief Student Officer at (928) 428-8261, in the Thatcher Campus Student Services Building. A complaint arising from a Greenlee County site may be reported to the Chief Campus Officer at (928) 428-8509, Room 217 in the Thatcher Campus Student Services Building.

Resolution of a Complaint

The College is committed to investigating each complaint thoroughly and taking immediate and appropriate corrective action on all confirmed violations of this policy. In determining whether or not any particular alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment, the totality of the circumstances, the nature of the alleged  incident(s) and the context in which the alleged incident(s) occurred will be reviewed and considered. The College prohibits reprisals by any of its employees or students against any complaining employee(s), student(s) or corroborating witness(es). Confidentiality shall be maintained to the maximum extent that is reasonably possible.

Sexual Assault Complaints

A charge of sexual assault against a College student shall be handled in a manner similar to that described for a complaint of sexual harassment by the Chief Student Officer of the Thatcher Campus or Chief Officer for Greenlee County Eastern Arizona College sites. When a complainant of sexual assault gives information to the Officer that a sexual assault has taken place and accuses a College student of the offense, the Officer will have the discretion to suspend the accused student pending a hearing. When any necessary investigation is complete, the Officer will formally notify the accused student of the charges and shall set a hearing date within five (5) work days.  Arizona State Law requires that any crime or act, that constitutes a felony, must be reported to Law Enforcement.