ECCCCatalog202223WEB

EAST CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

to go directly to the formal grievance resolution process. If informal efforts are not successful in resolving the grievance, the student should refer to Policy 822.1, STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, to file a formal grievance. Upon receipt of a sexual harassment grievance, the Dean of Student Services will report the griev- ance to the Title IX Coordinator. 2. Employees and students should report alleged acts of sexual harassment involving College employees to the Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator will counsel the employee who reported the alleged act(s) and will attempt to resolve the matter informally, as appropriate. Please note that there are cases when it is appropriate to go directly to the formal grievance resolution process. If informal efforts are not successful in resolving the grievance, the employee should refer to Policy 713, EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE & COMPLAINT PROCEDURES, to file a formal grievance. 3. Students and employees who wish to file a sexual harassment grievance have the right to follow the due process procedures outlined in the Policies and Procedures Manual in Policy 822.1, STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, and Policy 713, EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCE & COMPLAINT PROCEDURES. D. Penalties Penalties will be determined on the basis of facts of each case and the extent of harm to the College’s interest, as well as any College record indicating previous similar wrongdoing by the accused person. Penalties will be set according to regulations governing student conduct and employment relationships. These regulations are described in the ECCC Policies and Procedures Manual and the ECCC Student Handbook. E. Anti-retaliation Assurance This policy seeks to encourage students and employees to express freely, responsibly, and in an orderly man- ner, opinions and feelings about any problem or grievance of sexual harassment. Any act of reprisal, including internal interference, coercion, and restraint, by a College employee or by one acting on behalf of the College, violates this policy and will promptly result in appropriate disciplinary action. F. Improper Grievances This policy shall not be used to bring frivolous or malicious grievances against students or employees. If a grievance has been made in bad faith, disciplinary action may be taken against the person bringing the grievance. G. Confidentiality Information generated in the course of informal reviews and formal investigations necessary to enforce this policy will be given the full extent of confidentiality accorded by law to employee personnel records and student educational records. Any person who, without authorization, reveals such information will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. The sharing of the content of the grievance(s) will be on a “need to know” basis and will depend on the type of review and response required by the grievance. In any case, when a grievance is being mediated and or investigated, the accused will be informed of the specific details of the grievance. H. Responsibility for Implementation An employee in a supervisory position who has knowledge of conduct involving sexual harassment that may have occurred in his or her unit must take action to address the matter immediately. Not to do so may result in serious consequences for the College and will be considered a breach of supervisory responsibility. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT East Central Community College (ECCC) is committed to providing and promoting an institutional environ- ment where all employees and students may pursue their studies, careers, duties, and activities in an atmo- sphere free of the threat of unwelcome and unwanted sexual actions. The College strongly condemns sexual offenses, will not tolerate sexual offenders, and supports those who have been victimized. In response to any reported sexual misconduct, the College will take all appropriate steps to eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. Any behavior that constitutes sexual misconduct under this policy will sub-

69