Sexual Harassment

Seattle Pacific University is committed to maintaining an academic and social environment free of sexual harassment and assault. Members of our community have the right to work, study, and communicate with each other in an atmosphere free from unsolicited and unwelcome communication of a sexual nature.

Sexual harassment is a form of misconduct that violates the integrity and trust in human relationships. Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional appropriate compliments.

Rather, it is behavior that is personally intrusive, offensive, debilitating to morale, and insulting to human worth and dignity. Sexual harassment of students is marked by inappropriate sexually oriented attention by anyone (faculty member, staff member, or student) who is in a position to determine a student's grade or to adversely affect the student's academic performance, job performance, professional future, participation in campus activities, use of campus services and facilities, or ability to function comfortably in the SPU community.

Students who believe they have been sexually harassed or who have concerns about the appropriateness of faculty, staff, or student behavior may seek support and counsel from among a variety of helpful campus resources and people trained in the prevention of sexual harassment. The consultation will remain confidential if the student wishes. Formal complaints of sexual harassment may be addressed to the dean of student life (206-281-2481), the director of human resources (206-281-2809) or the Office of Academic Affairs (on campus, 206-281-2125).

Further information and SPU's complete statement concerning sexual harassment is available from the Office of Student Life (206-281-2481), Human Resources (206-281-2809), or Safety and Security (206-281-2922).