Sexual Harassment Policy | 2026-27 Academic Catalog

Meridian is committed to maintaining an environment that fosters respect for differences and supports transformative learning experiences. Safety and trust are the cornerstones of such an environment and as such Meridian will not tolerate or permit any form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment may consist of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, if:

Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's academic success;
Submission to, or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic decisions affecting such an individual;
Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment.

Sexual harassment is prohibited at Meridian University in the context of all University activities, platforms, and events outside of those contexts between members of the University community. Sexual harassment can occur between staff to student, student to staff, student to student, staff to staff, female to male, male to female, female to female, and male to male. Academic content addressing sexuality in the context of course curriculum and not directed at a specific student is not considered in itself harassment. Meridian prohibits harassment of any of its students, faculty, or staff based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. This prohibition applies to all persons involved in the operation of Meridian and prohibits unlawful harassment by staff, students, or faculty. Disagreeable speech that is not directed at a specific student in the context of academic curriculum is not in itself harassment. If you believe you have been harassed, communicate with the person and ask them to stop. If such communication is not possible, ineffective, or appropriate, provide a written complaint via the published Grievance Procedure as soon as possible, and within 30 days after the incident. Complaints should include details of the incident or incidents, names of the individuals involved, and names of any witnesses. The Grievance Procedure will include an expeditious, thorough, and objective investigation of the harassment allegations. The Grievance Procedure provides for applicable appeal steps. Retaliation is prohibited against any person who makes a complaint or 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 action.Administration will take prompt, equitable, and remedial action on 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.Sexual harassment may include but is not limited to:

Verbal harassment or abuse of a sexual nature
Subtle pressure for sexual activity
Inappropriate or unwelcome touching, patting, or pinching of a sexual nature
Intentional brushing against a student’s or an employee’s body
Demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual’s employment or educational status
Demanding sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment regarding an individual’s employment or educational status
Use of sexually or gender-degrading words or comments, verbal or written
Display in the school, on school grounds, or at school-sponsored events of sexually suggestive pictures
Leering of a sexual nature
Spreading of sexual rumors

Engaging in sexual harassment will result in appropriate discipline or other appropriate sanctions against offending students, staff, or contractors. Anyone else engaging in sexual harassment 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 and the necessity to investigate the allegations and take disciplinary action when the conduct has occurred.Each staff member is responsible to immediately report alleged discrimination and/or harassment 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 action up to and including termination.