Discrimination, Discriminatory Harassment & Sexual Misconduct

Weber State University strives to provide a safe environment for learning and working. Discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, rape, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation) are strictly prohibited on our campuses, in accordance with PPM 3-32, Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct (including Title IX).

If you believe that you or someone else may have experienced discrimination, harassment, and/or sexual misconduct, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity at 801-626-6240, aa-eo@weber.edu, and/or on-campus in Miller Admin 102. You can also contact staff directly at: 

• Laura Thompson, Executive Director & Title IX Coordinator: 801-626-6240, laurathompson3@weber.edu, or the AA/EO Reporting Form 
• You may report anonymously at Red Flag Reporting (note this is not monitored in real-time; if you have an emergency, call 911)

Harassment                                                                                                                                                                        

The AA/EO office handles discrimination or harassment complaints based on “protected classifications” including race, color, national origin, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions such as childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or related conditions, (including recovery), genetics, disability, religion, veteran, active military status, age (over 40 in employment discrimination), and other classifications protected by law.

Discriminatory harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on protected classifications that creates a hostile work or learning environment. A hostile environment exists when conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive, as determined by analyzing the totality of the circumstances, that it denies or limits a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s programs or activities or the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee’s work performance or creates an intimidating, or offensive work environment. Both subjective and objective factors are considered when evaluating whether a hostile environment exists. Conduct is considered unwelcome if the person did not request or invite it and considered the conduct to be undesirable or offensive. 

Sexual Harassment                                                                                                                                                             

Sexual harassment is a type of discriminatory harassment involving unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature directed against a person based on that person’s actual or perceived sex or gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression. 

Sexual harassment can range from unwelcome compliments, invitations, or requests for sexual favors, sexual advances, or other verbal or nonverbal conduct of a sexual nature, to more serious behavior such as sexual assault, rape, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. 

Title IX is a federal civil rights law. Under Title IX, sexual harassment includes 1) quid pro quo or when an employee conditions receipt of aid, benefit or service on a student's or employee's participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; 2) unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a student or employee equal access to an education program or activity; and 3) any instance of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking. See PPM 5-36a for more information about campus responses to these crimes.