Statement of Rights and Responsibilities

Belmont University affirms its commitment to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment free from implicit and explicit coercive behavior used to control, influence or affect the well-being of any member of the university community. Sexual harassment of any person is inappropriate, unacceptable and contrary to the Christian standards of conduct expected of all members of the university community, students, staff and faculty.

Employees and students have the right to be free from sexual harassment. Belmont University has a “zero tolerance” policy toward sexual harassment. Employees and students are prohibited from engaging in sexually harassing conduct toward any other person. Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature imposed on the basis of sex by an employee, agent or student of the university when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or status in a course, program or activity; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual, including, but not limited to, grades or academic progress; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment.


The university’s prohibition of sexual harassment applies to members of the university community, visitor’s to the campus and contractors and others who do business with the university or who use university facilities. The policy prohibiting sexual harassment applies regardless of the gender of the harasser or of the person being harassed. The policy applies to sexual harassment that takes place in any relationship, including both those involving a power differential and those between peers, colleagues and co-workers.


Any person who engages in sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action ranging from a warning to discharge, if appropriate. Those who have a complaint regarding sexual harassment should follow one of the dispute resolution procedures outlined in “Responding to Sexual Harassment,” following.