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The University of Maine reserves the right to revise, amend, or change items set forth in the Catalog from time to time. Accordingly, readers of this Catalog should inquire as to whether any such revisions, amendments, or changes have been made since the date of the publication. The University of Maine reserves the right to cancel course offerings, to set the minimum and maximum sizes of classes, to change the designated instructors in courses and to make decisions affecting the academic standing of anyone participating in a course or program offered by the University of Maine.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, The University of Maine, Room 101, 5754 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754, telephone (207) 581-1226 (voice and TDD). Inquiries or complaints about discrimination in employment or education may also be referred to the Maine Human Rights Commission. Inquiries or complaints about discrimination in employment may be referred to the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Inquiries about the University’s compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex; and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, may also be referred to the U. S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Boston, MA 02109-4557, telephone (617) 223-9662 (voice) or (617) 223-9695 (TTY/TDD). Generally, an individual may also file a complaint with the OCR within 180 days of alleged discrimination.
Sexual harassment of either employees or students is a violation of federal and state laws. It is the policy of the University of Maine System that no member of the University System community may sexually harass another. In accordance with its policy of complying with non-discrimination laws, the University System will regard freedom from sexual harassment as an individual employee and student right which will be safeguarded as a matter of policy. Any employee or student will be subject to disciplinary action for violation of this policy.
In conformance with this policy, the University of Maine System will ensure fair and impartial investigations that will protect the rights of the person(s) filing sexual harassment complaints, the person(s) complained against, and the institution or unit. Retaliation against anyone who makes a complaint of sexual harassment or who is involved in a complaint process will not be tolerated.
Consenting relationships may constitute sexual harassment under this policy. When a professional power differential exists between members of the University of Maine System and a romantic or sexual relationship develops, there is a potential for abuse of that power, even in relationships of apparent mutual consent. Faculty and staff members are strongly advised not to engage in such relationships. Further, the University System prohibits the abuse of power in romantic or sexual relationships.
To assure that power is not abused and to maintain an environment free of sexual harassment, a faculty or staff member must eliminate any current or potential conflict of interest by removing himself or herself from decisions affecting the other person in the relationship. Decisions affecting the other person include grading, evaluating, supervising, or otherwise influencing that person’s education, employment, housing, or participation in athletics or any other University System activity.
Definitions:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
- submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education;
- submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting that individual; or
- such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, educational, or living environment.
Questions, concerns and complaints about discrimination or harassment in any area of the University or about the application of laws and regulations related to equal opportunity and affirmative action should be directed to: Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, The University of Maine, Room 101, 5754 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754; (207) 581-1226 (voice and TDD). |
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