Handbook | University Policies and Regulations | Conduct as a member of the University community
II. Conduct as a member of the University community:
e. Sexual Harassment Policy
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is committed to providing students, faculty, and staff with an environment in which they may pursue their studies or careers without being sexually harassed. Sexual harassment, as here defined, is a violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and Title I of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. For purposes of this policy, it is defined as follows:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic work; or
2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment.
The Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office will be responsible for administering this policy and its procedures. Further information and the complete text of the policy are available from the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office, the Ombuds Office, and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School.
See the full text at: http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/rights/dispute_res.htm#HARAS
f. Picketing Code
1. All students, undergraduate and graduate, have a right to demonstrate on University premises provided, however, that no such demonstration shall be permissible which for any reason of time, place, or type of behavior materially disrupts class work or other University business, or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others.
2. Any demonstration within a campus building is inherently disruptive. Campus buildings are for university business. Any form of demonstration that interferes with university business in office or classroom spaces is a violation of this Code.
3. Students are prohibited from blocking free entry to or free exit from buildings, interfering with free movement, or presenting obstacles to regular University activities. "Interfering with free movement" is defined as any physical denial or restriction of a person's ability to freely reach or leave a given geographical area, or harassment as defined in the Code of Student Conduct. "Obstacles" are defined as physical devices, bodies, or signs which cause interference with free movement, or sounds which prevent normal oral communication.
4. There shall be no interference with demonstrations on the grounds of content of speech, except for any speech or demonstration which incites immediate, violent action and represents a clear and present danger to the campus community, which shall be a violation of this Code.
5. No student shall intentionally and substantially interfere with the freedom of expression of another person on University premises or at University sponsored activities.
6. Failure to cease any activity in violation of this Code immediately following either written or oral notice by a University official shall also be a violation of this Code.
7. Any violation of this Code may subject a student to expulsion from the University or such lesser sanction(s) as may be deemed appropriate by the University.
Graduate School Procedures Regarding Violations of the Picketing Code
g. Hazing Policy
Under Chapter 269 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "hazing" of a student by another student is a crime punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Students may also be subject to civil lawsuits by victims of hazing. A copy of the statute is available in the Office of the Graduate Dean and the Office of the Graduate Registrar.
See the full text at: http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/rights/hazing_pol.htm#HAZING
h. Smoke-Free Policy
The University of Massachusetts Amherst shall be smoke-free in all public and individual work areas.
The following areas shall be smoke-free:
a. All classrooms, stairwells, rest rooms, public areas, food service areas, food preparation areas, waiting rooms, visitor reception areas, lobbies, entrance ways and auditoriums or similar large congregating areas.
b. All work sites, including individual faculty and administrative offices.
c. All rooms in which business meetings are regularly conducted, or in which a business meeting is in progress.
d. State vehicles in which any occupant is a non-smoker.
Smoking is allowed only in
a. Designated guest rooms of the Campus Center hotel.
b. Certain University-owned or leased individual rooms and apartments, including Residential Halls in accordance with policy established by Housing Services.
The Division of Environmental Health and Safety may be contacted for consultation regarding the interpretation and implementation of the policy. A copy of this policy is available from Environmental Health and Safety.
i. Alcoholic Beverage Policy
The intention of the University Alcoholic Beverage Policy is to promote attitudes towards alcohol use that are consistent with an atmosphere of civility, and to discourage alcohol-related behavior on campus which is abusive to oneself or to others. The acquisition, possession, transportation and consumption of alcoholic beverages are governed by various statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and regulations of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. Specific guidelines for the use of alcoholic beverages on campus are available from the Residential Area officers, the Office of Greek Affairs, and the Dean of Students Office.
In accordance with the University's commitment to civility, services and resources are provided to support individual needs, to assist at crisis points and to provide accurate information - all related to alcohol and other drugs. Listings of resources on campus and in the community are available by calling the Alcohol Education Program, Division of Health Educations, University Health Services.
See the full text at: http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/rights/alcohol_pol.htm#ALCOHOL
j. Drug Free Schools and Communities Act
(Amendments of 1989 Public Law 101-226): The University of Massachusetts Amherst, in accordance with both federal legislation and existing University policy, is committed to providing a drug-free, healthful, and safe environment for all faculty, staff, and students. Students with substance abuse problems are encouraged to use the full range of educational and treatment services provided by the University Health Services. Listings of resources on campus and in the community are available by calling the Alcohol Education Program, Division of Health Education, University Health Services.
See the full text at:
http://www.umass.edu/dean_students/rights/drug_free.htm#DRUG_FREE
k. Affirmative Action and Non-discrimination Policy Statement
The University of Massachusetts Amherst prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment. Furthermore, University policy includes prohibitions of harassment of students and employees, i.e., racial harassment, sexual harassment, and retaliation for filing complaints of discrimination.
Affirmative Action in employment is required for women, racial and ethnic minorities; special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam era, and any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge had been authorized; and individuals with disabilities in order to address the under-representation in the workforce.
Inquiries concerning applicable laws, regulations, and policies should be addressed to the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office, 243 Lederle Lowrise, (413) 545-3464.
The Associate Chancellor for Equal Opportunity and Diversity or designee is also the Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator for the campus. This person will provide information about the University's obligations with respect to the provisions of nondiscrimination statutes including information about the requirements to provide program accessibility for persons with disabilities.
l. Computer Security and Usage Guidelines
It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts Amherst to maintain access for its community to local, national and international sources of information and to provide an atmosphere that encourages the free exchange of ideas and sharing of information. Access to this environment and the University's information technology resources is a privilege and must be treated with the highest standard of ethics. The University expects all members of the community to use computing and information technology resources in a responsible manner, respecting the public trust through which these resources have been provided, the rights and privacy of others, the integrity of facilities and controls, state and Federal laws, and University policies and standards. Please refer to the OIT website for the policy that outlines the standards for acceptable use of University computing and information technology resources which include, but are not limited to, equipment, software, networks, data, and telephones whether owned, leased, or otherwise provided by the Office of Information Technologies at UMass Amherst.
See the full text at:
http://www.oit.umass.edu/index.html. To review the updated University Data and Computing Policies and Guidelines (Doc. T97-010, as amended), please visit http://www.umassp.edu/policy/data/data.html.
