Policy Library

Behavior that is hostile and/or intimidating and that is pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s or group’s work environment is prohibited.  A person or a group can perpetrate this behavior. The person need not be more senior than or a supervisor to the target. Unacceptable behavior may include, but is not limited to:

a) Abusive expression (including spoken, written, recorded, visual, digital, or nonverbal, etc.) directed at another person in the workplace, such as derogatory remarks or epithets that are outside the range of commonly accepted expressions of disagreement, disapproval, or critique in an academic culture and professional setting that respects free expression;

b) Unwarranted physical contact or intimidating gestures;

c) Conspicuous exclusion, isolation, or targeting having the effect of harming another person’s reputation in the workplace and hindering another person’s work;

d.) Sabotage of another person’s work or impeding another person’s capacity for academic expression, be it oral, written, or other;

e) Abuse of authority, such as using threats or retaliation in the exercise of authority, supervision, or guidance, or impeding another person from exercising shared governance rights.

Indiana State University has an enduring commitment to academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the conception of the University as a place that must encourage and foster the free exchange of ideas, beliefs, and opinions, however unpopular. ISU adheres to the principles of academic freedom as set forth in the AAUP’s 1940 Statement on Academic Freedom and Tenure. The policy is not intended to constitute a general civility code addressing ordinary stresses of the workplace, such as occasionally insensitive language or behavior.

Allegations of discriminatory behavior as set forth in Policy 921 Americans with Disabilities, 922 Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking, and Policy 923 Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy will be forwarded to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office for investigation and resolution.