The International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture is committed to a collegial work and study environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work and learn in a professional atmosphere which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices, including sexual harassment. At the International School, sexual harassment, whether verbal, physical or environmental, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome or unwanted advances, requests for sexual favors and any other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to or rejection of this conduct by an individual is used as a factor in or out of class or studio, in decisions affecting critiques, evaluation, hiring, retention, promotion or other aspects of education or employment; or (2) this conduct substantially interferes with an individual's work in or out of class or studio or employment, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive classroom, studio or work environment.
Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not
limited to:
This behavior is unacceptable in the school and the workplace and in other school-related settings such as art-study trips, gallery openings, lectures and school-related social events.
Students and staff are expected to act with consideration and respect for other students, staff and their property. School personnel are responsible for creating a safe, civil and respectful learning environment where students can gain the knowledge and interpersonal skills they need to succeed. Bullying creates a climate of fear and hostility, disrupts the educational process, inhibits the ability to learn, adversely affects student participation in educational programs and activities, has as negative effect on a school’s social environment and leads to antisocial behavior.
Bullying behaviors may focus on an actual or perceived characteristic such as race, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity/expression (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) students), or other reasons related to a student’s distinguishing characteristic. Bullying may also occur with the intent to force gang involvement.
The International School prohibits any and all forms of bullying by students and staff, will not tolerate acts of retaliation for making a report of bullying.
School staff shall identify and stop bullying behavior and refer perpetrators for appropriate discipline in accordance with this Student Code of Conduct.
"Harassment or bullying" is any gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts – i.e. internet, cell phone, personal digital assistant (pda), or wireless hand held device) that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; or a mental, physical, or sensory disability or impairment; or by any other distinguishing characteristic. Such behavior is considered harassment or bullying whether it takes place on or off school property, at any school-sponsored function, or in a school vehicle.
“Harassment” is conduct that meets all of the following criteria:
“Bullying” is conduct that meets all of the following criteria:
Consequences and appropriate remedial actions for a student or staff member who commits one or more acts of harassment or bullying may range from positive behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, in the case of a student, or suspension or termination in the case of an employee.
This policy will be disseminated to all participants, and its existence will be displayed prominently at the school. All staff and faculty members are responsible for knowing of its existence and substance, and of their responsibility for its implementation. The Directors will be available to answer all questions about the policy, or its implementation.
This policy covers all individuals in the school or workplace (including students, residents, faculty, staff and directors). The International School of Art will not tolerate, condone or allow sexual harassment or bullying, whether engaged in by fellow students, residents, faculty, staff or directors. The International School encourages reporting of all incidents of sexual harassment or bullying, regardless of who the offender may be, or of the offender's relationship to the school.
While the International School encourages individuals who believe they are being harassed to firmly and promptly notify the offender that his or her behavior is unwelcome, the International School also recognizes that power and status disparities between an alleged harasser and a target may make such a confrontation impossible. In the event that such informal, direct communication between individuals is either ineffective or impossible, the following steps should be followed in reporting a sexual harassment complaint.
Individuals who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment should report the incident to any member of the school staff listed below:
An accurate record of objectionable behavior or misconduct is needed to resolve a formal complain of sexual harassment.
Verbal reports of sexual harassment or bullying must be reduced to writing by either the complainant or the individual(s) designated to receive complaints, and must be signed by the complainant. Individuals who believe that they have been or are currently being harassed, should maintain a record of objectionable conduct in order to prepare effectively and substantiate their allegations.
While the International School encourages individuals to keep written notes in order to accurately record offensive conduct or behavior, the International School hereby notifies all International School participants that, in the event that a lawsuit develops from the reported incident, the complainant's written notes might not be considered privileged or confidential information.
The International School encourages a prompt reporting of complaints so that rapid response and appropriate action may be taken. This policy not only aids the complainant, but also helps to maintain an environment free from discrimination for everyone.
Any allegation of sexual harassment or bullying brought to the attention of the International School's staff will be promptly investigated. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigatory process to the extent practical and appropriate under the circumstances.
Complaints will be investigated and resolved by the International School's discipline committee. In addition, any of the following individuals may be included in reviewing the investigation and outcome: Directors, faculty members, staff members
In pursuing the investigation, the investigator will try to take the wishes of the complainant under consideration, but will thoroughly investigate the matter, keeping the complainant informed as to the status of the investigation. Steps to be taken in the investigation include:
In order to minimize the damage to the school, the complainant and the alleged harasser to the full extent possible, the International School will complete the investigation of a sexual harassment complaint and will communicate its findings and intended actions to the complainant and alleged harasser as expeditiously as possible.
If the investigator, [together with review committee], finds that harassment occurred, the harasser will be subject to appropriate disciplinary procedures, as listed below. The complainant will be informed of the disciplinary action taken.
If the investigator, [together with a review committee], determines that no sexual harassment has occurred, this finding will be communicated to the complainant in an appropriately sensitive manner.
If the investigator [together with review committee] cannot determine whether or not sexual harassment has occurred, this finding will be communicated to the complainant and the alleged harasser, and the matter will be recorded as unresolved. Both the complainant and the alleged harasser will be informed again of the procedures set forth in this sexual harassment policy, including the appeal process contained below.
In the event that no resolution satisfactory to both parties can be reached based on the initial investigation, the matter shall be referred to the President. See "Appeals Process" below.
Individuals found to have engaged in misconduct constituting sexual harassment will be severely disciplined, up to and including discharge or expulsion. Appropriate sanctions will be determined by the President. In addressing incidents of sexual harassment, the International School's response at a minimum will include reprimanding the offender and preparing a written record. Additional action may include: referral to counseling, withholding of a promotion, reassignment, temporary suspension without pay, financial penalties or termination.
This policy is designed to protect all International School participants from harassment in any way associated with the workplace or school environment, no matter who the harasser is.
Although the International School's ability to discipline a non-participant harasser (e.g. supplier, visitor or guest) may be limited by the degree of control, if any, that the International School has over the alleged harasser, any International School participant who has been subjected to sexual harassment should file a complaint and be assured that action will be taken. Such action may include closing business with a supplier, reporting a guest or visitor to his or her employer, reporting a public official to an appropriate agency, or any other appropriate action to protect International School participants.
If any party directly involved in a sexual harassment or bullying investigation is dissatisfied with the outcome or resolution, that individual has the right to appeal the decision. The dissatisfied party should submit his/her written comments in a timely manner to the President.
The International School shall maintain a complete written record of each complaint and how it was investigated and resolved. Written records shall be maintained in a confidential manner in the office of the President.
Written records will be maintained for 5 years from the date of the resolution unless new circumstances dictate that the file should be kept for a longer period of time.
The International School will not in any way retaliate against an individual who makes a complaint of sexual harassment or against any participant in the investigation, nor permit any International School participant to do so. Retaliation is a serious violation of this sexual harassment policy and should be reported immediately. Any person found to have retaliated against another individual for reporting sexual harassment will be subject to the same disciplinary action provided for sexual harassment offenders (see "Resolving the Complaint" above).
The procedures above apply to internal complaints of harassment. Different procedures apply after a formal governmental administrative charge or civil lawsuit is filed. If you receive such a charge or complaint, you are directed to deliver it to the President immediately, all responses to such a formal charge or complaint will be made through the President. RETALIATION AGAINST ANY PERSON WHO FILES A FORMAL CHARGE OR COMPLAINT OF HARASSMENT IS PROHIBITED, AND IS GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE UP TO AND INCLUDING TERMINATION.
The International School of Painting, Drawing, and Sculpture has developed this policy to ensure that all its students and staff can work and learn in an environment free from sexual harassment. The International School will make every effort to ensure that all personnel are familiar with the policy and know that any complaint received will be thoroughly investigated and appropriately resolved.
Sources: Sexual Harassment Policy - Bar Association of San
Francisco, Michigan State Board Of Education, Chicago Public Schools