ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY Policy Section:ADMINISTRATION Policy Title:DISCRIMINATION/HARASSMENT POLICY AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURES FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES Mid-State Technical College has set forth the following complaint procedure forstudents and faculty/staff who allege discrimination based on a protected status or prohibited harassment as set forth below. Copies of this procedure can be obtained from the Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Officer. Mid-State Technical College is committed to being in compliance with state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations and does not discriminate in its services, employment programs, and/or its educational programs and activities. Discrimination contrary to law and harassment by faculty, administrators, other students or suppliers/vendors of the College, on the basis race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital or parental status, or other protected status for students/staff under state or federal law (���protected status���) is prohibited by the College. Acts of harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct are counter to Mid-State's mission and values. DEFINITIONS Protected characteristics Personal traits, characteristics and/or beliefs that are defined by law as protected from discrimination and/or harassment. These protected characteristics include race, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, religions, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, marital or domestic partnership status, pregnancy, and/or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Discrimination Adverse treatment of an individual based on a protected characteristic rather than individual merit. Harassment Unwelcome verbal or physical behavior which is directed at a person based on a protected characteristic. When these behaviors are sufficiently severe and/or pervasive to have the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual���s educational experience, working conditions, living conditions, by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Harassment also encompasses sexual harassment which means unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome physical conduct of a sexual nature. This behavior includes but not limited to the deliberate, repeated, making of unsolicited gestures or comments, or the deliberate or repeated display of sexually graphic materials which is not necessary for educational purposes. Sexual harassment is also defined as participation or denial of a College activity such as education and employment that are conditioned upon, either explicitly or implicitly, for the submission to or rejection of unwelcomed sexual advances or sexual favors. Retaliation The College expressly prohibits any form of retaliation against any member of the College community who in good faith files a report or grievance, participates in a College investigation, believes a policy is violating this policy and opposes said policy. The complainant, any person who participates in the