Harassment Disclaimer

Sexual and Other Unlawful Harassment

The Saint James School of Medicine, HRDS, Inc., is committed to ensuring that its educational environment is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual's sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Additional information on sexual harassment may be obtained from the Clinical Coordinator.

Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, or visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This definition includes many forms of offensive behavior and includes gender-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser. The following is a partial list of sexual harassment examples:

• Making unwanted sexual advances.
• Offering a passing or higher grade in exchange for sexual favors.
• Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances.
• Visual conduct that includes leering, making sexual gestures, or displaying of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters.
• Verbal conduct that includes making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, or jokes.
• Verbal sexual advances or propositions.
• Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual's body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, or suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations.
• Physical conduct that includes touching, assaulting, or impeding or blocking movements.

Unwelcome sexual advances (either verbal or physical), requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of receiving a passing or higher grade; (2) submission or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for making decisions related to student grades or (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with student performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

Students who experience or witness sexual or other unlawful harassment in the school or during clinical rotations should report it immediately to the Dean of Student Affairs. If the Dean of Student Affairs is unavailable or it would be inappropriate to contact him/her immediately contact the Dean of Academics, the Dean of Clinical Affairs, or the Clinical Coordinator. Students can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

All allegations of sexual harassment will be quickly and discreetly investigated. To the extent possible, your confidentiality and that of any witnesses and the alleged harasser will be protected against unnecessary disclosure.  Upon completion of the investigation, the student will be informed of the outcome.

Any faculty member who becomes aware of possible sexual or other unlawful harassment must immediately advise the Dean of Student Affairs, the Dean of Academics, or the Dean of Clinical Affairs so it can be investigated in a timely and confidential manner. Anyone engaging in sexual or other unlawful harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from school or termination of employment in the case of Saint James’ faculty and staff.