Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Misconduct

Relevant Excerpt

B. Discriminatory Harassment

Discriminatory Harassment includes all of the following:

• unwelcome conduct on the basis of actual or perceived Protected Characteristic(s), that
• based on the totality of the circumstances,
• is subjectively and objectively offensive, and
• is so severe or pervasive,
• that it objectively limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from GVSU’s education programs or activities

C. Sex-based Harassment

Sex-based Harassment is a form of sex discrimination and means sexual harassment and other harassment on the basis of sex, (2) including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, and Pregnancy or Related conditions. ...

2. Hostile Environment Harassment:

• unwelcome sex-based conduct, that
• based on the totality of the circumstances,
• is objectively offensive, and
• is so severe and pervasive,
• that it effectively denies a person equal access to participate in or benefit from GVSU’s education program or activity

...

D. Gender-Identity or Sexual Orientation-based Harassment

Gender Identity-based Harassment and Sexual Orientation-based Harassment are forms of discrimination and include harassment on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation (6), including related stereotypes or characteristics. ...

2) Hostile Environment Harassment:

• unwelcome gender identity or sexual orientation- based conduct, that
• based on the totality of the circumstances,
• is objectively offensive, and
• is so severe and pervasive,
• that it effectively denies a person equal access to participate in or benefit from GVSU’s education program or activity

GVSU reserves the right to address offensive conduct and/or harassment on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation that (1) does not rise to the level of creating a hostile environment, or (2) that is of a generic nature and not based on a Protected Characteristic. Addressing such conduct will not result in the imposition of discipline under GVSU Policy, but may be addressed through respectful conversation, remedial actions for the affected persons, community education, and/or effective Informal Resolution mechanisms.