Hostile Environment
For Title IX purposes a working definition of a hostile environment is:
- A situation of discriminatory or sexual nature that has occurred and created an adverse educational setting
- An intimidating or offensive class or college environment that causes a person to be fearful
- A setting that denies, limits or interferes with a person's ability to participate in or benefit from a college class, program, activity or job
Examples of a hostile environment include:
- Bullying, abusive or intimidating comments and actions
- Intimidating or offensive comments that alter the condition's of a person's work, classroom, team, or program environment
- Continual offensive comments or surroundings of a discriminatory or sexual nature