Harassment of the Disabled

Southern Wesleyan University endeavors to create an environment in which all members of the community are treated with the dignity and respect inherent in their position as creatures made in the image of God. Not only is disabilities harassment a violation of federal law, it is contrary to principles of Christian conduct. Consequently, it is the policy of Southern Wesleyan University that harassment of individuals with disabilities is unacceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.

Any form of harassment is absolutely prohibited. Disability harassment is intimidation or abusive behavior toward a student based on disability that creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s participation in or receipt of benefits, services, or opportunities in the institution’s programs. Harassing conduct may take many forms, including verbal acts and name calling as well as nonverbal behavior such as graphic and written statements or conduct that is physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating.

All complaints need to be registered in writing, signed and agreed to by the complainant. Complaints of disabilities harassment will be addressed promptly.

A student with a complaint should inform the Student Success Coordinator. After securing from the student a written request for investigation, the Student Success Coordinator will forward the complaint to the investigator. The chart below explains the hierarchy of responsibility for investigating complaints.

Complaint Against	Submit To	Investigator
Faculty member	Academic Success Coach or Executive Director of Student Learning	Chair of the faculty’s department
Staff member	Academic Success Coach or Executive Director of Student Learning	Executive Director of Student Learning
Executive Director of Student Learning	University Provost	University Provost
Another student	Executive Director of Student Learning	Executive Director of Student Learning

The investigation will be initiated within 10 working days of the receipt of the written request.

If the investigation process is not initiated within 10 working days or if the student disagrees with the outcome of the investigation, the student may appeal to the Committee for Students with Disabilities. The appeal must be in writing and must be made within 48 hours of the student being notified of the initial outcome of the investigation. The Committee for Students with Disabilities will review the investigation of the complaint and outcome and make a determination within 10 working days of the receipt of the written appeal.

Upon notification of the decision of the Committee for Students with Disabilities, the student may ask for consideration by the University Provost. The decision of the Provost is final.

A Final Word about Rights & Responsibilities

The goals of the community at Southern Wesleyan University are to:

Foster learning, scholarship and research through the free exchange of ideas.
Provide encouragement and support to members of the community as they seek to grow toward wholeness amidst difficult and stressful life circumstances.
Hold members of the community to high standards of academic honesty, intellectual rigor, and realistic humility in the pursuit of truth.

By joining the community, members are agreeing to pursue these goals. They are also agreeing to work to maintain an environment within the community where certain rights are protected.

The right to free expression within the bounds of decency and order.
The right to be respected and treated with dignity.
The right to independent thought and reasoned dissent.
The right to feel safe and free from threat, force or violence.
The right to personal, constructive change.

While the university’s officers of administration and instruction have authority to give structure to the community, to foster its ongoing health, and to intervene if there are serious problems, the weight of responsibility for the health of the community rests with the entire university community and with each individual member. To join the university community is to enter into a commitment to support that community and seek its goals.