Policy on Equal Opportunity/Anti-Discrimination

Relevant Excerpt

The scope of this policy’s coverage is broad. This policy applies to visitors, applicants for admission to or employment with the University, students, and employees of the University who allege discrimination by university employees, students, visitors, contractors, or third parties under circumstances within Tulane’s control.  

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8.1 Prohibited Conduct 

This policy also prohibits harassment. Harassment based on an individual’s protected status (age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, shared ancestry, or veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic) is any act of verbal or non-verbal physical aggression, intimidation, hostility, aversion, detriment, or preference based on the person’s protected status, when the following conditions are present:  ...

• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with or limiting that individual’s: (1) educational environment (e.g., admission, academic standing, grades, assignment); (2) work environment (e.g., hiring, advancement, assignment); (3) participation in a Tulane program or activity; (4) living environment (e.g., campus housing); or (5) receipt of legitimately- requested services (e.g., disability or religious accommodations), under both an objective and subjective standard. 

A hostile environment can be created by anyone involved in a Tulane program or activity (e.g., students, employees, or even campus guests) where the unwelcome conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits, or deprives an individual from participating in or benefiting from Tulane’s education or employment programs and/or activities. ...

Depending on the seriousness, frequency, and/or pervasiveness, harassment may include: conduct or material (physical, oral, written, graphic, electronic messages or media posted or circulated in the community) involving epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts that serve no scholarly purpose appropriate to the academic context and gratuitously denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group because of age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, shared ancestry, or veteran status. 

Examples of Prohibited Conduct 

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• Antisemitism is a form of discrimination or harassment that is based on one’s religion (Judaism) and/or national origin (e.g., an individual from a Jewish-majority country). Antisemitic conduct is prohibited by the Policy and can manifest in the Tulane environment in many ways. Examples of antisemitic conduct that is prohibited by the Policy include:
  • Repeated instances of antisemitic slurs directed toward an individual, regardless of whether that individual is Jewish.
  • Refusing to allow an individual to participate in any program sponsored or hosted by Tulane because they are perceived to be from Israel, are associated with a Jewish organization, wear religious attire, like a kippah, or display a religious symbol associated with Judaism, like a Star of David.
  • Defacing a Jewish employee’s or student’s property with a hateful symbol such as a swastika.
  • Using force or intimidation to obstruct the path of an employee or student because they are Jewish, perceived to be Jewish, or supportive of Jewish institutions or organizations.
  • Refusing to grant a student some expected benefit, such as a letter of recommendation, based on the perception that the student is Jewish, is associated with a Jewish organization, or because that student is perceived to be from Israel and/or is Zionist.
  • Making dehumanizing and/or stereotypical comments about Jewish employees or students. • Islamophobia is a form of discrimination or harassment that is based on one’s religion (Islam) and/or national origin (e.g., an individual from a Muslim majority country).
• Islamophobic conduct is prohibited by the Policy and can manifest in the Tulane environment in several ways. Examples of Islamophobic conduct that is prohibited by the Policy include: 
  • Repeatedly referring to a Muslim individual or someone perceived to be a Muslim as a “terrorist.”
  • Refusing to allow an individual to participate in any program sponsored or hosted by Tulane because they are perceived to be Muslim - like a Sikh person wearing a turban - or from a Muslim-majority country and are associated with a Muslim organization, wears religious attire, like a hijab, or displays a religious symbol associated with Islam, like the Crescent and Star. 
  • Removing a student from a Tulane program or activity based on the perception that the student is Muslim or perceived to be Muslim or is associated with a Muslim organization.
  • Refusing professional or learning opportunities because an individual wears a hijab to work or in the classroom.
  • Physically threatening an individual for wearing a religious symbol associated with Islam or a national symbol like a keffiyeh.