HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy
Policy Statement
Harvard University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment
in which no member of the University community is, on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender
identity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any
University program or activity. Gender-based and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, are
forms of sex discrimination in that they deny or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit
from University programs or activities.
This Policy is designed to ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and work environment and
to meet legal requirements, including: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits
discrimination on the basis of sex in the University’s programs or activities; relevant sections of the
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in employment; and Massachusetts laws that prohibit
discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. It does not preclude
application or enforcement of other University or School policies.
It is the policy of the University to provide educational, preventative and training programs regarding
sexual or gender-based harassment; to encourage reporting of incidents; to prevent incidents of sexual
and gender-based harassment from denying or limiting an individual’s ability to participate in or
benefit from the University’s programs; to make available timely services for those who have been
affected by discrimination; and to provide prompt and equitable methods of investigation and
resolution to stop discrimination, remedy any harm, and prevent its recurrence. Violations of this
Policy may result in the imposition of sanctions up to, and including, termination, dismissal, or
expulsion, as determined by the appropriate officials at the School or unit.
Retaliation against an individual for raising an allegation of sexual or gender-based harassment, for
cooperating in an investigation of such a complaint, or for opposing discriminatory practices is
prohibited. Submitting a complaint that is not in good faith or providing false or misleading
information in any investigation of complaints is also prohibited.
Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to abridge academic freedom and inquiry, principles of free
speech, or the University’s educational mission.
Definitions
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, graphic, or physical conduct of a sexual nature,
when: (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition
of an individual’s employment or academic standing or is used as the basis for employment decisions
or for academic evaluation, grades, or advancement (quid pro quo); or (2) such conduct is sufficiently