Equal Opportunity, Non-discrimination, and Harassment Policy

Responsible Unit: Human Resources | Executive lead: President 
Created: 05/2008 | Reviewed/Revised: 2011, 10/18/2019, 03/28/2023 | Effective: 03/28/2023 
Compliance: COCA 1.5, NWCCU 2.F.1, IRS Revenue Procedures 75-50, 1975-2 C.B. 587 
Approving Body: BOT| Classification: Institution-wide 

Policy:  
PNWU is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment and student application decisions on the basis of merit. The University shall not discriminate against faculty, staff, volunteers, students, or applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law for any reason including recruitment, selection, and promotion. 

As well, PNWU prohibits all forms of harassment by students, employees, guests, or volunteers whether intentional or unintentional, on campus or at other owned or contracted facilities. 

The following prohibited forms of discrimination are civil rights offenses when the act is based upon the reporting party’s actual or perceived membership in a protected class. 

  • Threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal abuse, or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. 
  • Discrimination, defined as actions that deprive, limit, or deny other members of the community of educational or employment access, benefits, or opportunities. 
  • Intimidation, defined as implied threats or acts that cause an unreasonable fear of harm in another. 
  • Hazing, defined as acts likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to and person within the PNWU community, when related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or any other group affiliation activity. 
  • Bullying, defined as repeated and/or severe; aggressive behavior; likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control, or diminish another person, physically or mentally; that is not speech or conduct otherwise protected by the First Amendment. 
  • Intimate partner violence (commonly referred to as dating, domestic, or relationship violence) is defined as verbal, physical, or emotional violence or abuse between those who are involved in, or have been involved in, an intimate interaction or relationship. 
  • Stalking, defined as repetitive and menacing pursuit, following, harassing, and/or interfering with the peace and/or safety of another. 

PNWU encourages reporting of all perceived incidents of harassment or discrimination. Reports may be made directly to the chief human resources officer and Title IX coordinator, 509.249.7714, hr@pnwu.edu, or using the Confidential Electronic Reporting Form at PNWU.edu. PNWU will promptly and thoroughly investigate such reports. Retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination or harassment or participates in an investigation of such reports is prohibited. 

Any party who does not comply with this policy will face corrective action. 

Definitions:  
Protected class refers to groups of people who are legally protected from being harmed or harassed by laws, practices, and policies that discriminate against them due to a shared characteristic such as race, religious belief, national origin, age (40 years and up), sex (incl. sexual orientation and gender identity), pregnancy, citizenship, familial status, disability status, veteran status, genetic characteristics, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law.  

Harassment includes any action, language, or visual representation that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, persistent, or patently offensive that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that person’s work or academic performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, educational, or living environment. 

Procedure:  
Progressive Discipline 
PNWU Resolution Process 

Related Documents: 
Progressive Discipline policy 
Whistleblower policy 
Civil Rights Act of 1964 
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975 
Equal Pay Act of 1963 
Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 
Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act 
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 
Title IX 

Policy Resources

For assistance with policies and procedures contact:

Lori Fulton
lfulton@pnwu.edu