UCLA General Catalog 2012-13: Appendix A: Regulations and Policies: Harassment

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the University community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy. The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of sexual harassment and will take appropriate action to prevent, correct and, if necessary, discipline behavior that violates this policy. See http://www.sexualharassment.ucla.edu.

Definitions

For detailed definitions of sexual harassment, refer to Section 102.09 of the UCLA Student Conduct Code listed above.

Complaint Resolution

Experience has demonstrated that many complaints of sexual harassment can be effectively resolved through informal intervention. Individuals who experience what they consider to be sexual harassment are advised to confront the alleged offender immediately and firmly.

Additionally, an individual who believes that she or he has been sexually harassed may contact the Sexual Harassment Coordinator in 2241 Murphy Hall or a Sexual Harassment Information Center counselor for help and information regarding sexual harassment complaint resolution or grievance procedures at one of the locations listed below as determined by the complainant’s status at the University at the time of the alleged incident:

Campus Human Resources/Employee and Labor Relations, Manager, 200 UCLA Wilshire Center, (310) 794-0860
Campus Human Resources/Staff and Faculty Counseling Center, Coordinator, 380 UCLA Wilshire Center, (310) 794-0248
Chancellor’s Office, Sexual Harassment Coordinator, 2241 Murphy Hall, (310) 206-3417
Counseling and Psychological Services, Director, 221 Wooden Center West, (310) 825-0768
David Geffen School of Medicine, Dean’s Office, Special Projects Director, 12-138 Center for the Health Sciences, (310) 794-1958
Graduate Division, Office Manager, 1237 Murphy Hall, (310) 206-3269
Healthcare Human Resources, Employee Relations Manager, 400 UCLA Wilshire Center, (310) 794-0500
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Campus Resource Center, Director, B36 Student Activities Center, (310) 206-3628
Office of the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-3871
Office of Ombuds Services, 105 Strathmore Building, (310) 825-7627; 52-025 Center for the Health Sciences, (310) 206-2427
Office of Residential Life, Judicial Affairs Coordinator, 205 Bradley Hall, (310) 825-3401
Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Administration/Human Resources Associate Director, B7-370 Semel Institute, (310) 206-5258
School of Dentistry, Assistant Dean, Student Affairs, A0-111 Dentistry, (310) 825-2615
Student Legal Services, Director, A239 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-9894
UCLA Extension, Human Resources Director, 629 UNEX Building, (310) 825-4287; Student Services Director, 214 UNEX Building, (310) 825-2656

Other Forms of Harassment

The University strives to create an environment that fosters the values of mutual respect and tolerance and is free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and other personal characteristics. Certainly harassment, in its many forms, works against those values and often corrodes a person’s sense of worth and interferes with one’s ability to participate in University programs or activities. While the University is committed to the free exchange of ideas and the full protection of free expression, the University also recognizes that words can be used in such a way that they no longer express an idea, but rather injure and intimidate, thus undermining the ability of individuals to participate in the University community. The University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (hereafter referred to as Policies; http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/coordrev/ucpolicies/aos/toc.html ) presently prohibit a variety of conduct by students which, in certain contexts, may be regarded as harassment or intimidation.

For example, harassing expression which is accompanied by physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on University property or in connection with official University functions may subject an offending student to University discipline under the provisions of Section 102.08 of the Policies.

Similarly, harassing conduct, including symbolic expression, which also involves conduct resulting in damage to or destruction of any property of the University or property of others while on University premises may subject a student violator to University discipline under the provisions of Section 102.04 of the Policies.

Further, under specific circumstances described in Section 102.11 of the Policies, students may be subject to University discipline for misconduct which may consist solely of expression. Copies of this Policy are available in the Office of the Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall, or in any of the Harassment Information Centers listed below:

Counseling and Psychological Services, 221 Wooden Center West, (310) 825-0768 http://www.counseling.ucla.edu
Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars, 106 Bradley Hall, (310) 825-1681
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Relations, 105 Kerckhoff Hall, (310) 825-6322
Office of Ombuds Services, 105 Strathmore Building, (310) 825-7627
Office of Residential Life, 205 Bradley Hall, (310) 825-3401, http://www.orl.ucla.edu

Complaint Resolution

One of the necessary measures in our efforts to assure an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect is the establishment of procedures which provide effective informal and formal mechanisms for those who believe that they have been victims of any of the above misconduct.

Many incidents of harassment and intimidation can be effectively resolved through informal means. For example, an individual may wish to confront the alleged offender immediately and firmly. An individual who chooses not to confront the alleged offender and who wishes help, advice, or information is urged to contact any of the Harassment Information Centers listed immediately above.

In addition to providing support for those who believe they have been victims of harassment, Harassment Information Centers offer persons the opportunity to learn about the phenomena of harassment and intimidation; to understand the formal and informal mechanisms by which misunderstandings may be corrected and, when appropriate, student perpetrators may be disciplined; and to consider which of the available options is the most useful for the particular circumstances.

With regard to the Universitywide Student Conduct Harassment Policy, complainants should be aware that not all conduct which is offensive may be regarded as a violation of this Policy and may, in fact, be protected expression. Thus, the application of formal institutional discipline to such protected expression may not be legally permissible. Nevertheless, the University is committed to reviewing any complaint of harassing or intimidating conduct by a student and intervening on behalf of the complainant to the extent possible.