OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Mercyhurst College recognizes many forms of communication for official college business.  College officials may utilize written documentation, telephone conversations, and Mercyhurst-issued e-mail accounts or Web documents as formal forms of communication.  Official College business includes all actions of the College including but not limited to providing general information, course information, student conduct notices, and administrative notices from the College.

Mercyhurst College provides e-mail accounts to students; these are recognized as official document and notification addresses for College communications.  All students are responsible for checking their Mercyhurst-issued e-mail accounts and are held accountable for the contents of e-mails issued by the College.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

ATTORNEY TINA FRYLING, 115 PRESTON HALL – 824-2352

Mercyhurst College is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all groups and individuals, and to supporting the educational and professional enhancement of all groups and individuals. Our present and future course is designed to eliminate all policies and practices that work to the disadvantage of individuals on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, or status as a veteran. Each employee and student is expected to work diligently to eliminate all forms of discriminatory conduct, including institutional, as well as personal patterns that directly or indirectly feed the destructive forces of this discrimination.

Discriminatory conduct means verbal and physical behavior that explicitly demeans any individual identified in the group above, and that (1) has the purpose or effect of interfering with the education, College-related work, or other institutionally authorized activity of a student, employee, official or guest, or (2) creates an intimidating, hostile or demeaning environment for education, work or other activity authorized by the College.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

ATTORNEY TINA FRYLING, 115 PRESTON HALL – 824-2352

Mercyhurst College policy prohibits sexual harassment against any faculty, administrator or staff member, applicant or student. Respect for the dignity and worth of each individual is a precept of the College. All persons will be held to standards of conduct ensuring that all members of the Mercyhurst College community are free from sexual and other forms of harassment. Nothing in the policy is meant to limit the rights of an aggrieved person to seek relief in a state or federal court of law. The term “harassment” refers to behavior that is not welcome, that is personally offensive, and that fails to treat others with dignity and respect. The following will be taken into account when considering sexual harassment:

·    Any harassment based on the gender or sexual preference of the offended individual, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests or demands for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct will be considered sexual harassment.

·    Each member of the College community must understand that even thoughtless or unpremeditated behavior can have the effect of harassment. This effect may or may not constitute sexual harassment.

·    Even consenting relationships between persons, when a power differential exists, are discouraged; charges of sexual harassment may be raised, even if both parties had initially consented to the relationship. A power differential may exist even among members of the same group (ie. two students).

For more detailed information, refer to the Sexual Harassment Panel section of the Student Conduct System.