Sexual Harassment, Hazing, & Bullying

Sexual Harassment: Definition

Sexual harassment is unwanted and often persistent sexual attention and any other behavior with sexual overtones that creates a hostile work or training environment.  Verbal harassment may be directed toward an individual or be comments about an individual that are intended to be or are actually overheard. Specifically, sexual harassment may include written or verbal abuse or threats with sexual overtones, physical contact, sexually graphic literature, sexual advances, demands for sexual favors, sexually oriented comments, jokes, lewd comments or sexual innuendoes, taunts about body, dress, marital status or sexuality, singling out members of one sex or those with a particular sexual orientation for ridicule or devaluing athletic performance or self-respect, sexual or homophobic graffiti, practical jokes based on sex, intimidating sexual remarks, invitations or familiarity, dismissing the contributions of members of one sex or sexual orientation in meetings or training sessions, or other condescending or patronizing behavior, physical contact such as fondling, pinching or kissing, sex-related vandalism, offensive phone calls or photos, and/or bullying on the basis of sex.  Sexual harassment also includes all forms of sexual violence such as sexual assault, sexual battery, rape and sexual coercion, which will be referred to authorities as criminal matters.

Sexual Harassment: Zero Tolerance

In compliance with Title IX and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Clery Act, and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”), Vincennes University is committed to maintaining an educational and working environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex or gender, including sexual harassment, misconduct, and violence.

Vincennes University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission.

The person responsible for implementing this Policy is the Title IX Coordinator. If you or anyone you know have experience sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination on the basis of sex or gender please contact the Title IX Coordinator immediately.

Reece Sorley, Title IX Coordinator
Email: reece.sorley@vinu.edu
Phone: 812-888-4102 

Sexual Harassment: Confidentiality

Vincennes University is committed to treating all individuals who come upon its campuses with dignity, care, and respect. Any individual who experiences or is affected by discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct, whether as a complainant or a respondent, may benefit from access to care and support resources through the University and the local community.

The University encourages all individuals to seek the support of and use all available internal and external resources, regardless of when or where the incident occurred. When a complaint alleging a violation of this policy is received by the Title IX Coordinator, the coordinator shall promptly contact the complainant directly to discuss the availability of supportive measures. These supportive measures are available to a complainant or respondent regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed. Supportive measures include, but are not limited to: (i) counseling; (ii) extensions of deadlines or other course-related adjustments; (iii) modifications of work or class schedules; (iv) campus escort services; (v) mutual restrictions on contact between the parties; (vi) changes in work or housing locations; (vii) leaves of absence; and (viii) increased security and monitoring of certain areas of the campus. All supportive measures shall be implemented in a manner that preserves the confidentiality of the complainant and respondent to the extent maintaining such confidentiality does not impair the University’s ability to provide the supportive measures.

For Vincennes University’s full Sexual Misconduct Policy visit, VU Sexual Misconduct Page.

Hazing: Definition

“Hazing” and inappropriate team initiation or bonding activities are defined as any actions, whether physical, verbal, mental, emotional or psychological, which subject another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to any outcome that has the intended or unintended effect of abusing, mistreating, degrading, humiliating, harassing, or intimidating the person, or which may in any fashion compromise the inherent dignity of the person, for the purpose of association with, or induction to, a particular group or team or to control someone younger, weaker or with less power with the intent of harm.

Hazing: Prohibited Behaviors

What follows are examples of prohibited actions and behaviors constituting hazing, initiation rituals, or physical punishment. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to engage, endure or participate in any of the following activities is explicitly prohibited:

• Consumption of alcohol or other drugs
• Ingestion of any substance
• Shaving any part of the body
• Any activity that is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent or contrary to the individual’s genuine moral beliefs
• Tampering with or damaging property
• Enforcing dietary restrictions of any kind unrelated to healthy nutrition
• Deprivation of sleep and waking up/disturbing individuals during normal sleep hours
• Creation of excessive fatigue unrelated to normal training expectations and activities
• Calisthenics or any type of physically abusive exercise unrelated to normal training
• Paddling, whipping, beating or physical abuse of any kind
• Forced performance of public stunts or buffoonery
• Forced tattooing or branding
• Road trips, kidnapping, drop-offs, or any other such unplanned activities
• Work projects without the participation of the full team membership as planned community service or club service activity
• Assigned or endorsed pranks, such as borrowing or stealing items, painting property or objects, or harassing other individuals or groups
• Subjecting a member to cruel and unusual psychological conditions
• Wearing of apparel in public which is conspicuous, not normally in good taste, or designed to humiliate the individual(s) wearing it
• Morally degrading or humiliating games or activities
• Verbal or cruel harassment, including yelling and screaming
• Line-ups, kangaroo courts or any interrogation not consistent with the legitimate testing for information about the purposes and history of the team
• Sexual rituals, assaults and/or required nudity
• Collective behavior such as marching that has no relationship to sport training or performance
• Activities that promote or encourage the violation of state laws or Vincennes University policies
• Requiring new members to “greet” initiated members
• Requiring the answering of phones or doors with songs, chants, or riddles
• Requiring yelling or screaming upon entering or leaving a facility
• Deception or threat contrived to convince the new member that he/she will not be permitted to join
• Mentally abusive or demeaning behavior

Hazing: Zero Tolerance

Vincennes University is committed to keeping our campus safe and supportive for all students. Hazing has no place here - no matter the group, no matter the reason. Athletes should only be asked to engage in activities that are constructive, educational, inspirational, and contributory to intellectual and personal development. If it feels wrong, it probably is. Bystanders have power. If you see something, say something.

Report It to the Dean of Students

Email: deanofstudents@vinu.edu

Phone: 812-888-4142 

In an Emergency, Call

VU Police: 812-888-5555 (if on Vincennes campus)

Local Law Enforcement (all other campuses and sites): 911

Bullying: Definition

Bullying occurs when there is an imbalance of power and the person who is older, larger, stronger, or more aggressive uses his or her power to control or harm someone in a weaker position.  The person bullying has the intent or goal to cause harm (i.e., the act is not accidental) and the action is usually repetitious.

Bullying: Prohibited Behaviors

Bullying can take many forms. Examples include, but are not limited to: name-calling, teasing, socially spreading rumors, purposely leaving people out of groups by telling them or others they are unwanted, breaking up friendships by threatening others or spreading rumors about a friend, or physically hitting, punching, or shoving a person. Using the Internet, email, texting, mobile phones, social media or other digital technologies to do harm to others is bullying and is also prohibited.

I certify, under penalty of perjury of the laws of the State of Indiana, that I have read the contents and warning of this acknowledgement; that I fully understand this acknowledgment; that I am in agreement with the terms of this acknowledgment; that I am signing this acknowledgement voluntarily, under no compulsion; that I have had an opportunity to ask questions and seek advice regarding this acknowledgement; that I am age 18 or over or, if not, that my parents/guardians hereby make these promises on my behalf; and that I choose to participate (or to permit my child or ward to participate) in the Vincennes University activity listed below of my own accord.