Tufts Sexual Misconduct Policy

Amended date: 02/20/2019

Provided by Office of Equal Opportunity

The University prohibits any kind of sexual harassment, misconduct or domestic violence as defined by the policy below.

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Tufts is committed to providing a campus environment free of sex and gender based discrimination, and sex and gender based harassment. To that end, Tufts prohibits sexual misconduct, that, under this policy, can include: (1) sex and gender based discrimination; (2) sexual and sex and gender based harassment (including a hostile environment based on sex or gender); (3) sexual assault; (4) sexual exploitation; (5) stalking; and (6) relationship violence (including dating and domestic violence). Under Tufts University policy, sexual misconduct can occur in any sex or gender configuration (i.e., between the same sex or different sex or gender) and regardless of actual or perceived sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. Tufts also prohibits retaliation.

Sexual misconduct is not limited to the workplace or the educational environment. It can extend beyond University property and could occur at any University sponsored program, activity, or event regardless of the location. It can occur out of state or country, such as at a conference, off-site project, study abroad, field placement, or at an externship. Sexual misconduct can occur between students, employees and third parties such as patients, visitors, vendors, contractors and other community members. Tufts’ Sexual Misconduct Policy applies broadly and in many different circumstances. Tufts will consider the effects of the off-campus conduct when evaluating whether there is a hostile environment on campus.

Employees found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and/or corrective action, including but not limited to warnings, demotions, suspensions and termination.

Tufts encourages its employees to use the services of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) or Human Resources if there are any questions about this policy or if any individual wishes to raise any policy related concerns or complaints. To contact OEO, please contact oeo@tufts.edu or call (617) 627- 3298 and to contact Human Resources, please contact tss@tufts.edu or call (617) 627-7000.

The full text of the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy is available here.

The full text of the applicable procedures for complaints against employees and third parties is known as the Discrimination Complaint Processing Guidelines which are available here.

The full text of the applicable procedures for complaints against students is available here.

Definitions:  

This policy—along with Title IX and VAWA rights and responsibilities—applies to all staff, temporary staff, postdoctoral scholars, faculty, independent contractors, affiliates or any other members of the Tufts community, whether hired contractually or who work under faculty or postdoctoral scholar handbooks, or who are otherwise covered by a collective bargaining agreement. It additionally applies to students, patients, visitors, third parties and other community members.

Related Links and Resources:

Postdoctoral Scholars’ Handbook: https://viceprovost.tufts.edu/policies-forms-guides/postdoctoral-scholars-handbook

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This Tufts Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct, Stalking and Relationship Violence (includes sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence) Statement is part of the HR Employee Policies and Procedures that can be found here.

Disclaimer: Changes to this policy and the handbook in which it is maintained may be made at any time, at the sole discretion of the University and is not a contract. Employment by the University is at will and either the employee or the University may end the employment relationship at any time.