Harassment: Sexual & Racial - Handbook


Sexual harassment and racial harassment have been held to constitute a form of discrimination which is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Other types of harassment based on protected class status are prohibited by applicable law.

Generally, harassment may be defined as verbal or physical conduct by a person or group of persons which interferes with a student's academic performance or causes discomfort in the work setting or classroom. More specific definition of the various forms of harassment may be found in MTSU Policy 1:01:22.

Students who feel that they may be the victim of some form of harassment as a result of the actions of another student should contact the dean of student life to lodge a complaint. These cases will be resolved in accordance with student disciplinary procedures. Students who believe they have been harassed or other-wise discriminated against by a University employee should contact the affirmative action officer who will investigate and attempt resolution of the complaint according to the procedure outlined in MTSU Policy 1:01:22. Copies of this policy will be made available in the Dean of Student Life Office and in the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Office, and other administrative offices on campus.

For more information:

Title VI. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is the Federal law that protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of their race, color, or national origin in programs that receive Federal financial assistance. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in any Tennessee Board of Regents' sponsored program, please contact the coordinator for your campus.

For more information:

Title IX. Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities that receive or benefit from federal financial assistance; e.g., in recruiting and admissions, financial aid, athletics, textbooks and curriculum, housing facilities, career counseling, insurance and health care, single sex groups and programs, extracurricular activities, and employment. If you feel that you have been discriminated against in any Tennessee Board of Regents' sponsored program, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action.

For more information: