Meridian University is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that provides for fair and equitable treatment, including freedom from bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination of any kind. This policy includes anyone who engages in such behavior on school property, at school activities, or an electronic act through the use of cell phones, computers, personal communication devices, or other electronic gaming devices.Harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination may take many forms, including verbal aggression and name calling, physical aggression, relational aggression, as well as graphic and written statements, which may include use of cell phones, computers, or gaming systems, and other conduct that may be physically threatening, harmful, or humiliating. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination include intent to harm, may be directed at a specific target, and typically involve repeated incidents. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, and discrimination create a hostile environment and will not be tolerated in Meridian University.Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work or school performance and creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or school environment. Harassment, intimidation, bullying and discrimination can interfere and limit a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by Meridian University. Administration will take prompt, equitable, and remedial action on all reports and complaints that come to the attention of school personnel, either formally or informally.Allegations of criminal misconduct will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.Engaging in harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff, or contractors. Anyone engaging in these behaviors on school property or at school activities will have their access to school property and activities restricted or revoked, as appropriate.The school shall respect the confidentiality of the complainant and the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed as much as possible, consistent with the school’s legal obligations, state laws and policies, and the necessity to investigate the allegations and take disciplinary and/or restorative action to resolve the problem.Retaliation is prohibited against any person who makes a complaint or who is a witness under this policy and will result in appropriate disciplinary action against the person responsible for the retaliation. Individuals who knowingly report or corroborate false allegations will be subject to appropriate disciplinary and/or restorative action. Each staff member is responsible for immediately reporting alleged harassment, intimidation, bullying or discrimination to his/her supervisor or other appropriate school personnel. Staff members who fail to take prompt action to report allegations or violation(s) of this policy may be subject to disciplinary and/or restorative action up to and including termination.If you believe you have been harassed, communicate with the person and ask them to stop. If such communication is not possible or is ineffective, provide a written complaint to the Administrative Director as soon as possible, and within 180 days after the incident. Complaints should include details of the incident or incidents, names of the individuals involved, and names of any witnesses. The Administrative Director will promptly notify the person charged give them an opportunity to respond. The Administrative Director will undertake an expeditious, thorough, and objective investigation of the harassment allegations, and will take effective remedial action in accordance with the circumstances involved.Meridian reserves the right to take whatever measures it deems necessary in response to an allegation of sexual misconduct in order to protect students’ rights and personal safety. Such measures include, but are not limited to, modification of living arrangements, interim suspension from campus pending a hearing, and reporting the matter to the local police. Not all forms of sexual misconduct will be deemed to be equally serious offenses, and Meridian reserves the right to impose different sanctions, depending on the severity of the offense. Meridian will consider the concerns and rights of both the complainant and the person accused of sexual misconduct.Any Meridian student, faculty member, or employee determined to be responsible for harassment will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including administrative withdrawal or termination of employment.If You Are Sexually Assaulted:
-
Go to a safe place and speak with someone you trust. Tell this person what happened.
- If there is any immediate danger, call 911 or the Administrative Director at (707) 765-1836 ext. 103.
-
Consider securing immediate professional support to assist you in the crisis.
- Sonoma County Rape Crisis Center: (707) 545-7270
- For your safety and wellbeing, immediate medical attention is encouraged to evaluate for physical injury, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Further, being examined as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours, is important for evidence collection, which may be used to support prosecution should you decide immediately or later to pursue criminal charges. The Rape Crisis Center will arrange for a specific medical examination. To preserve evidence, it is best that you do not bathe, shower, douche, or change clothes before that exam. Even if you have already bathed, you are still encouraged to receive prompt medical attention. Additionally, you are encouraged to gather bedding, linens, or unlaundered clothing and any other pertinent articles which may be used for evidence.
- Even after the immediate crisis has passed, consider seeking support from a Rape Crisis Center.
- Contact your Academic Advisor if you need assistance with academic related concerns, (e.g., missed classes or exams; requesting extensions regarding coursework). They will report your concerns to the proper departments.