TSU Office of General Counsel

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Overview | TSU Sexual Harassment Policy | Complaint Investigation Procedures

The University’s Sexual Harassment Policy provides that any employee who sexually harasses a fellow employee or a student is subject to discipline, up to and including termination of employment.  The policy applies to both employment and academic relationships and to all sexual advances, whether they are made in the office, outside the office, or socially/after hours.  In addition, the policy is not gender specific and applies to male-to-female harassment, female-to-male harassment and same sex harassment.

If you are a student or employee and believe you have been sexually harassed, you may file or initiate a sexual harassment investigation by completing the University’s sexual harassment complaint form (PDF).

Frequently Asked Questions About Sexual Harassment

What is sexual harassment?

Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when accepting such conduct is either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or academic decision that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or  academic performance.

What is a hostile work environment?

A hostile work environment is one where conduct occurs that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating or offensive working environment. This conduct includes:

• lewd jokes or comments

• displaying sexually suggestive material

• repeated requests for a dating or a sexual relationship

If I report harassment to my supervisor, can I ask her to keep it confidential? 

Your supervisor may want to keep your report confidential, but she is required by University policy to report harassment to the University’s Employment Compliance Officer. Also, if you want the harassment to stop, your supervisor will need to discuss it with others. 

What should I do if I am being harassed or work in a hostile environment? 

Tell the harasser to stop.  If that does not stop the harassment, you may file a complaint by submitting a completed sexual harassment complaint form (PDF) to the University’s Employment Compliance Officer, 310 Hannah Hall, (713) 313-7950.

What do I do if I know of someone being harassed?

Contact the University’s Employment Compliance Officer at (713)313-7950.,

For additional information about sexual harassment, please review the attached training module prepared for TSU staff and faculty or the sexual harassment brochure prepared by the Office of General Counsel.