Pennsylvania College of Technology expects that all members of the college community – students, faculty, staff, and visitors – should be able to pursue their work and education in a safe environment, free from sexual coercion, violence, and harassment. All members of the college community have the right to be free from sexual violence and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of others. You should expect to feel safe and respected at all times at Penn College. If for any reason you do not, Penn College will provide resources to support you and help you take action.
- See Sexual Misconduct Policy including Sexual Harassment policy statement and procedure statement Login required
- Support for Pregnancy and related conditions:
At Penn College, we are committed to helping you achieve your goals by removing barriers that may stand in the way of your success. If you are pregnant or have a pregnancy-related condition, please complete this form. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss available supportive measures.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities which receive federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Other Laws Governing Campus Sexual Violence Response
The Clery Act requires higher education institutions that participate in federal student aid programs to disclose statistics about certain crimes occurring on or near campus as well as other security information. Previously, the Clery Act covered sexual assault. Recently the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”) amended the Clery Act by imposing new obligations on institutions of higher education under VAWA' Campus Sexual Violence Act (“Campus SaVE”) provision, adding domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking to the list of Clery crimes. The Campus SaVE Act requires institutions to implement and publicize procedures for addressing reports of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and also requires institutions to develop educational programs for students and employees on preventing and responding to such incidents.
Prohibited Conduct
Definitions, Examples, and Sexual Misconduct Violations
Sexual Harassment
Unwelcomed, gender-based verbal or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with, denies or limits someone' ability to participate in or benefit from the College' educational program and/or activities, and may be based on power differentials (including but not limited to quid pro quo), the creation of a hostile environment, and/or retaliation.
Quid Pro Quo
Sexual harassment by a person having power or authority over another when submission to such sexual conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of rating, evaluating or providing a benefit to an individual's educational or employment development or performance.
Hostile Environment
Created when sexual harassment is severe, or persistent, or pervasive, and objectively offensive, such that it unreasonably interferes with, denies, or limits someone's ability to participate in or benefit from the College's education or employment programs.
Retaliation
Any adverse educational, personal, or employment action taken against a person because of the person's participation in a complaint or investigation of sexual misconduct.
Sex discrimination
Actions that deprive other members of the community of educational or employment access, benefits, or opportunities on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Non-consensual sexual contact
Any intentional sexual touching, however slight, with any object, by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force.
Non-consensual sexual intercourse
Any sexual intercourse, however slight, with any object by a person upon another person, that is without consent and/or by force.
Sexual exploitation
Non-consensual or abusive conduct that takes sexual advantage of another person for his/her own advantage or benefit, or to benefit/advantage anyone other than the one being exploited, and does not constitute any other sexual misconduct offenses.
Intimate partner violence
Any instance of violence or abuse- verbal, physical, or psychological- that occurs between those who are in or have been in an intimate relationship with each other.
Stalking
Repetitive and/or menacing pursuit, following, harassing, and/or interfering with the peace and/or safety of another (including by electronic means).