Subject: Eastern Illinois University Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policies

Please take a few moments to review some information that Eastern Illinois University would like students to know about discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence.   

Eastern Illinois University provides equality of opportunity in education and employment for all students and employees. Discrimination based upon race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis of discrimination precluded by federal or state statutes, is strictly prohibited. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment.   

Sexual harassment in higher education is Illegal 

Everyone has the right to attend a college or university free from sexual harassment. The Illinois Human Rights Act (“Act”) makes it unlawful for teachers, professors, facility members and other employees of colleges and universities to sexually harass their students. The Act specifically prohibits unwelcome advances or conduct of a sexual nature, and requests for sexual favors of students by an executive, faculty member, administrative staff member, or teaching assistant. The Act covers all public or private universities, colleges, community colleges, junior colleges, business schools, and vocational schools.  

Examples of Sexual Harassment in Higher Education: 

1.       a professor who continually makes jokes of a sexual nature in the classroom; 


2.       a registration advisor who tells a student he or she might be able to get into a class if the student dates the advisor; 


3.       an admissions officer who tells a prospective student that the advisor will put in a “good word” for the prospective student if he or she dates the advisor; 


4.       a financial assistance advisor who tells a student that “if you have sex with me, I can look out for scholarships for you;” 


5.       a teaching assistant who promises a student a better grade if the student does not resist any inappropriate touching or sexual advances.  

Protection Against Retaliation: It is also unlawful for a teacher or professor, or for the college or university to retaliate against a student because the student reported sexual harassment, participated in an investigation of sexual harassment, or because the student filed a charge of discrimination with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.  

Any student who believes he or she is being subjected to discrimination, harassment or retaliation should report the incident(s) to:  

Office of Civil Rights and Diversity 

Old Main, Room 1011 

(217) 581-5020 

civil@eiu.edu   

http://castle.eiu.edu/civil  

We encourage you to come forward as soon as possible after you believe that you have experienced sexual harassment. EIU will make every effort to provide assistance to you, will implement interim remedies to address the safety and well-being of both parties prior to the outcome of an investigation, and will investigate complaints in a timely manner. The university will take immediate and corrective actions to eliminate the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.  

The university’s Title IX Coordinator is Shawn Peoples and her office is located in 1011 Old Main.   

Please review the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy www.eiu.edu/auditing/175, Non-discrimination Policy, Disability Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Complaint Procedures www.eiu.edu/auditing/173 for information about the complaint process and your options as a complainant. When warranted, disciplinary actions for employees who engaged in sexual harassment or retaliation may include, but are not limited to, oral or written warnings or reprimands, demotion, suspension, or termination of employment.? The appropriate vice president is responsible for enforcing disciplinary actions.?No retaliation may be taken against any university employee or student who seeks redress under these policies.  

The Illinois Department of Human Rights may be reached at: 

CHICAGO OFFICE 

100 W. Randolph Street, 10th Floor 

Intake Unit 

Chicago, IL 60601 

(312) 814-6200 

(866) 740-3953 (TTY) 

SPRINGFIELD OFFICE 

222 South College, Room 101-A 

Intake Unit 

Springfield, IL 62704 

(217) 785-5100 

MARION OFFICE 

2309 West Main Street, Suite 112 

Intake Unit 

Marion, IL 62959 

(618) 993-7463 

(866) 740-3953 (TTY)  

Any student who believes he or she is being subjected to sexual harassment or retaliated against can contact the Illinois Department of Human Rights for further information or to file a charge. Students may contact the Department by calling the Department at 312-814-6200 (Chicago) or 217-785-5100 (Springfield), 866-740-3953 (TTY); or by visiting the Department’s website at www.illinois.gov/dhr. Any charge alleging sexual harassment in higher education must be filed within 180 days of the alleged incident(s). Charge forms are available on the Department’s website at the following link: https://www.illinois.gov/dhr/filingacharge/documents/cis_sxh.pdf.  

EIU prohibits consensual romantic or sexual relationships between faculty and students while the faculty member is in a supervisory academic position of power or authority over a student. Here is the link to this policy http://castle.eiu.edu/auditing/011_1.php. EIU prohibits consensual amorous or sexual relationships between supervisors and student workers. Here is the link to this policy http://castle.eiu.edu/auditing/011.php.  

What is sexual violence?  

A number of acts fall into the category of sexual violence, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual coercion, and other sexual misconduct including domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. All such acts fit under the umbrella of sexual harassment, but most (if not all) are also crimes. Students who are victims of any form of sexual violence are strongly encouraged to report these serious crimes to the University Police Department or to the Charleston Police Department.  

Where do I go if I wish to file a complaint? 

The student complainant controls when and where to file a complaint. (In rare circumstances, the university may be required to proceed with an investigation without the cooperation of the complainant, if failing to do so would put the greater campus community at risk.) For the benefit of students, there are multiple options available to the student and reports may be made in any, all, or none of these departments. 

·         University Police Department (UPD) – 7^th and Grant (directly east of the University Union); (217) 581-3212 (911 if an emergency); department open daily until 4:30 pm; officers are on duty 24 hours. UPD provides professional law enforcement services to the campus community. They can receive, process, and investigate complaints of sexual assault and then forward information to the Coles County State’s Attorney for appropriate action if the complainant wishes to pursue a criminal complaint.   

·         Office of Student Standards – Contact Director Heather Webb, Deputy Title IX Coordinator, (217) 581-3827, hkwebb@eiu.edu, Room 1510 in the MLK Jr University Union. Complaints of sexual misconduct will follow the procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code http://www.eiu.edu/judicial/studentconductcode.php.   

·         Office of Civil Rights and Diversity – Assistant Director/Title IX Coordinator Shawn Peoples, (217) 581-5020, civil@eiu.edu, 1011 Old Main. Complaints of sexual harassment related to sexual violence will follow the Sexual Harassment Policy (EIU Policy 175) www.eiu.edu/auditing/175 and Discrimination Complaint Procedures (EIU Policy 173) www.eiu.edu/auditing/173 .  

Students are also encouraged to contact Angi Parker, Staff Counselor, EIU Counseling Center, (217) 581-3413, alparker@eiu.edu/. Ms. Parker is located in the Human Services Building, and she will discuss options for students and provide support and advocacy. Immediate medical attention is available at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, (217) 348-2525, the area’s certified sexual assault treatment center.  Counseling services are available to students at the EIU Counseling Center, Human Services Building, (217) 581-3413. 

Please review EIU’s Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Misconduct Policy www.eiu.edu/auditing/185, the Sexual Assault Protocol www.eiu.edu/mandatedinformation/assault.php, and the Sexual Assault?and Interpersonal Violence Resources and Prevention Resources website www.eiu.edu/sexualassaultresources for information about complaint options, processes, and resources. .? When warranted, disciplinary actions for students who engaged in sexual harassment or retaliation may include, but are not limited to, oral or written reprimands, suspensions, and expulsions. The appropriate vice president is responsible for enforcing disciplinary actions.?No retaliation may be taken against any university employee or student who seeks redress under these policies.