{"id":728,"date":"2012-09-10T20:03:54","date_gmt":"2012-09-11T00:03:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad1213\/introduction-to-westconn\/"},"modified":"2020-06-25T14:14:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-25T18:14:41","slug":"introduction-to-western","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/catalogs.wcsu.edu\/grad2021\/introduction-to-western\/","title":{"rendered":"GENERAL INFORMATION"},"content":{"rendered":"

University History<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University, founded in 1903, is located in Danbury, a major city in Fairfield County in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, 65 miles north of Manhattan and 50 miles west of Hartford. Western\u2019s rural 364-acre Westside campus complements its 34-acre, 16-building Midtown campus in the heart of downtown Danbury. Constant planning, evaluation, and improvement of programs and curricula sharpen Western\u2019s \u201cedge of excellence\u201d and keep it responsive to the progressive community it serves. The university works with and is supported by a forward-looking, innovative nonprofit, cultural, service, and business community and collaborates with several local, state, and regional community agencies and educational institutions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mission Statement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University changes lives by providing all students with a high quality education that fosters their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society.\u00a0To achieve this, we\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Offer undergraduate and graduate programs that weave together liberal arts and professional education and instill a desire for life-long learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Sustain a vibrant, inclusive campus that connects individuals through co-curricular programs, cultural events, and service to the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Attract student-centered faculty who are passionate teachers and accomplished scholars.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Establish partnerships that create opportunities for internships, research, and experiential learning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Values<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Excellence.<\/strong> We value outstanding achievement realized through persistence, effort, honest feedback, and self-reflection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Curiosity.<\/strong> We value the questions that drive learning, innovation, and creativity, which serve as the beginning and the desired outcome of education.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dialogue.<\/strong> We value the conversations that explore diverse perspectives and encourage shared understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Engagement.<\/strong> We value the interactions with ideas, peers, and community that are essential to a vibrant university environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opportunity.<\/strong> We value the possibilities created by affordable, accessible educational environments in which students can grow into independent thinkers and confident leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Respect.<\/strong> We value the right of all people to be treated with dignity and fairness and expect this in our policies, classroom, and community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vision.<\/strong> Western Connecticut State University will be widely recognized as a premier public university with outstanding teachers and scholars who prepare students to contribute to the world in a meaningful way.<\/span><\/p>\n

This Mission was approved by the University Senate (March 11, 2015) and the University President (March 24, 2015).<\/span><\/p>\n

The University Values\u00a0were approved by the University Senate (May 6, 2015) and the University President (May 7, 2015).<\/span><\/p>\n

The University Vision\u00a0was approved by the University Senate (January 18, 2017) and the University President (January 19, 2017).<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Studies<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mission, Role, and Scope of Graduate Programs\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The graduate programs at Western offer advanced study under the direction of dedicated educators. Students in the graduate programs benefit from a faculty whose commitment to teaching, to research, and\u00a0to other professional activities has resulted in national recognition in widely varying fields. Guidance from this faculty helps to strengthen the academic and professional ability of students by increasing their knowledge of a subject, improving their capacity for independent study, familiarizing them with research in their fields, and training them to conduct meaningful research of their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mission of the graduate programs is not confined within the perimeters of the university. The programs also make a significant contribution to the community at large. As a result of their intense, concentrated study at Western, students are well prepared to enter society, not only as trained professionals and specialists, but also, in a wider context, as thoughtful, sensitive human beings with personal integrity and an appreciation of intellectual and political freedom.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Much of this understanding is developed in professional in-service and preservice programs through cooperative efforts with regional businesses, industry, government, social service, and educational agencies. Western\u2019s faculty and programs are dedicated to forging and maintaining such ties through the ongoing assessment of regional needs and continual interaction with community, business, professional, and academic organizations-an interaction that also helps to refine the graduate curriculum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0university administrator for Graduate Studies at WCSU is the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs\u00a0who is advised by the Graduate Council, a faculty body with representation from each discipline, and the four school deans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Council<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Graduate Council is responsible for recommending overall graduate policy, approving programs, and maintaining high standards. Program proposals developed by academic departments, working with their school deans, must be approved by the Graduate Council before implementation.\u00a0Its membership includes the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, school deans, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services, the associate director of the Office of Graduate Admissions, all graduate program coordinators, and two graduate student representatives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Program Coordinators<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Each graduate program has a qualified faculty member who serves as graduate coordinator. <\/span>The coordinators are members of the Graduate Council and leaders in program development. A strength of graduate study at Western is that students enrolled in graduate programs are advised directly by the appropriate program coordinator as they plan their progress toward their degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Faculty<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

All faculty members who participate in graduate programs must have earned\u00a0terminal degrees appropriate to their disciplines and to the graduate courses they teach or have significant and highly recognized accomplishments in the field relevant to the graduate courses they teach. Faculty members who participate in graduate programs at WCSU are active scholars who present and publish regularly in their relevant field of study, some having received national and international distinction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graduate Catalog Addendum<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University produces its academic catalogs at the beginning of each academic year. Normally, curriculum changes approved in one academic year are implemented during the next academic year. Changes that require immediate implementation will appear as an addendum in the electronic version of the catalog until the next catalog is published.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alumni Association<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Alumni Association of Western Connecticut State University, founded in 1919, promotes the general welfare of the university. The board of directors is composed of\u00a021 directors (including 5 officers) and 5 Life members\u00a0who meet regularly to discuss and plan programs, events, and volunteer opportunities for alumni. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alumni members receive a lifetime membership card which provides borrowing privileges at both the Ruth A. Haas and Robert Young libraries, use of computers in the Haas Library, and special membership benefits through the WCSU Save Program,\u00a0which provides alumni with discounts at many businesses, both local and nationwide. All alumni receive the Cupola<\/em> magazine, alumni e-newsletter, insurance and\u00a0special affinity program\u00a0discount offers, special access to\u00a0career services, and invitations\u00a0to special alumni programs and events. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Scholarships are awarded each year by the Alumni Association to deserving Western students who meet academic requirements and show evidence of extracurricular involvement at the university and in the community. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Alumni Association keeps alumni connected to their alma mater through social networking activities, hosted on- and off-campus. Whether a graduate of Danbury Normal School, Danbury State Teacher\u2019s College, Danbury State College, Western Connecticut State College, or Western Connecticut State University, alumni are part of campus history and the future of the university.<\/span><\/p>\n

____________________<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Statements, Policies, and Reports<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Rights Reserved Statement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Students attending Western Connecticut State University are required to familiarize themselves with the catalog. Primary responsibility for knowing and fulfilling all requirements rests on the individual student. The catalog in effect at the time of admission or readmission to a degree program governs degree requirements.\u00a0 Western Connecticut State University administration reserves the right, whenever advisable, to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees and\u00a0to withdraw, cancel, reschedule, or modify any course, program of study, or degree, or any requirement in connection with any of the foregoing.<\/span><\/p>\n

This graduate catalog\u00a0is provided to students and applicants for their general information and guidance only. It does not constitute a contract, either express or implied, and is subject to revision at the university\u2019s discretion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Educational Records, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University accords all the rights under the law to students. No one outside the university shall have access to, nor will the university disclose any information from, a student\u2019s educational records without his\/her written consent except to personnel within the university, to officials of other institutions in which the student seeks to enroll, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accreditation groups, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, to persons in an emergency in order to protect the health or safety of students or other persons, or to parents of a student who is officially documented as their dependent for income tax purposes. All these exceptions are permitted under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The university will maintain a record of all requests for and\/or disclosure of information from a student\u2019s educational records. The record will indicate the name of the party making the request, any additional party to whom it may be redisclosed, and the legitimate interest the party had in requesting or obtaining the information. The record may be reviewed by the eligible student. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Within the Western Connecticut State University community, only those university officials acting in the student\u2019s educational interest are allowed access to education records. A university official is any person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support-staff position; any person appointed to the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education; or any person employed by or under contract to the university or the State of Connecticut to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor. A university official has a legitimate educational interest if the official is performing a task that is specified in his\/her position description or by contract agreement; performing a task related to a student\u2019s education; performing a task relating to the discipline of a student; or providing a service or benefit relating to the student or student\u2019s family, such as health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At its discretion, the university may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the act to include student name, address, telephone number, photo ID, date of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams. Students may withhold directory information by notifying the Office of the Dean of Students in writing. Such a request will be honored until such time students request\u00a0in writing that their directory information again be made public.<\/span><\/p>\n

The law provides students the right to inspect and review information contained in their education records, to challenge the contents of their education records, and to have a hearing on the matter. The Vice President of Academic Affairs or his or her designee at Western Connecticut State University has been designated to coordinate the inspection and review procedures for student educational records, which include admissions, personal, academic, financial, disciplinary, cooperative education, and placement records. Students wishing to review their educational records must make requests to the registrar, listing the item of interest. Only records covered by the act will be made available within 45 days of the request. Students may have copies made of their records with certain exceptions (e.g., a copy of their academic record for which a financial \u201chold\u201d exists or a transcript of an original or source document that exists elsewhere). To obtain a copy of your transcript, contact the Registrar\u2019s Office at (203) 837-9200. Educational records do not include records of instructional, administrative, and educational personnel, which are the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any individual except a temporary substitute, records of a law enforcement unit, student health records, employment records, or alumni records. Health records, however, may be reviewed by the physician of the student\u2019s choosing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students may not inspect and\/or review the following as outlined by the act: financial information submitted by their parents\u2019 confidential letters and recommendations associated with admissions, employment or job placement, honors to which they have waived their rights of inspection and review, or education records containing information about more than one student. In this last case, the university will permit access only to that part of the record\u00a0that pertains to the inquiring student. The university is not required to permit students to inspect and\/or review confidential letters and recommendations placed in their files prior to January 1, 1975, provided these letters were collected under established policies of confidentiality and were used only for the purpose for which they were collected. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students who believe that their educational records contain information that is inaccurate or misleading or is otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights may discuss their problems informally with the Office of Student Affairs. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the event a student\u2019s request, either to have access to a record or to amend information in a file, has been denied, the student may ask for a formal hearing. The student must submit a written request for the hearing to the Provost\/Vice President for Academic Affairs. The hearing panel will consist of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the academic dean of his\/her school. Decisions of the hearing panel are final. Any alteration to the student\u2019s record will be in accordance with the decision of the hearing panel and will become a permanent part of that record. The student has a right to add a statement to a challenged record if the panel\u2019s decision is not to amend the record in accordance with the student\u2019s request.<\/span><\/p>\n

Students who believe that the adjudications of their challenges were unfair or not in keeping with the provisions of the act may request, in writing, assistance from the vice president for student affairs of the university to aid them in filing complaints with the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmative Action Policy Statement <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span>Western Connecticut State University (\u201cWCSU\u201d or \u201cUniversity\u201d) is grounded on a sound Affirmative Action foundation.\u00a0 To that end, as President of WCSU, I am fully committed to the University\u2019s philosophy of the intellectual and moral leadership responsibility to carry out this well-established philosophy, as well as the responsibility of the University leadership to advance social justice and equity by exercising Affirmative Action to remove all discriminatory barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility.\u00a0 Accordingly, the University, through its Plan of Affirmative Action will, with conviction and effort, continue to undertake positive action to overcome the present effects of past practices, policies or barriers to equal employment opportunity, and to achieve the full and fair participation of African Americans\/Blacks, Hispanic\/Latinos, Whites, Asians\/Pacific Islanders, American Indians\/Alaskan Aleuts and\/or those who self-identify in two or more races, found to be underutilized in the workforce.\u00a0 The University through its Plan of Affirmative Action, with conviction and effort, will also continue to undertake positive action for the full and fair participation of the above groups and any other protected group found to be adversely impacted by University policies or practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

WCSU\u2019s Affirmative Action Plan incorporates and lists federal and state constitutional provisions, law regulations, guidelines and executive orders prohibiting or outlawing discrimination, identifying classes of persons protected based on race, color, religious creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, mental disability, genetic information, intellectual disability, physical disability, learning disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, and criminal record, except for bona fide occupational qualifications.<\/span><\/p>\n

The University outlines its employment process as one of recruitment, selection, assignment, compensation, promotion and upgrading, training, educational assistance, transfers, terminations, layoffs and recall, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment.\u00a0 Affirmative Action is an integral consideration throughout the entire employment process.\u00a0 Both the Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief Diversity Officer are responsible for ensuring that affirmative action remains in the forefront of each step of the employment process.\u00a0 An affirmative action discussion occurs throughout the employment process continuum.\u00a0 All facets of the employment process are linked to affirmative action.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the Affirmative Action Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu\/diversity<\/a> to review the entire policy statement and its full contents.<\/span><\/p>\n

ADA Policy Statement <\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the administration of, or access to, its programs, services or activities. Under this policy, a person with a disability is defined as \u201ca person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having an impairment<\/i>.\u201d\u00a0 Should you wish to notify either my office or the above-referenced offices of barriers that may exist in equal access to any program, service, or activity offered by Western Connecticut State University or to obtain information regarding the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and your rights, you are highly encouraged to contact the ADA Compliance Coordinator listed. If you feel that you need a reasonable accommodation as a result of your disability to allow you to perform the essential functions of your position, please review the below procedures and forms for requesting a reasonable accommodation (\u201cRA\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the ADA Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu\/diversity<\/a> to review the entire policy statement and its full contents.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on reasonable accommodation for students, please visit the WCSU Office of AccessAbility Services in White Hall, Room 003A, or the website at: <\/span>http:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/accessability\/<\/a> to review available student assistance and services.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Discrimination\u00a0Policy Statement<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) is an affirmative action\/equal opportunity educator and employer, fully committed to the goal of providing equal opportunity and full participation in its educational programs, activities and employment without discrimination because of race, color, religious beliefs or association, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, learning disability or mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, or prior conviction of a crime, in accordance with state and federal laws. To that end, this statement of policy has been put forth to ensure that no qualified person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the university.<\/span><\/p>\n

To file a complaint of discrimination, or for inquiries concerning the University\u2019s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement, related laws and regulations for Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, please contact Mrs. Jesenia Minier-Delgado, Chief Diversity Officer, University Hall, Room 202B, (203) 837-8444\/8277\/ or TTY (203) 837-8284 or by email at ode@wcsu.edu<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information on the Non-Discrimination Policy Statement, please visit, www.wcsu.edu\/diversity<\/span> to review the entire policy and its full contents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protection from Adverse Action<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

All individuals shall be free from all restraint, interference, coercion or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, in appearing as a witness, or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity Officer by the aggrieved party, his\/her representative or any person affected. The Chief Diversity Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and any other agencies, state, federal or local, that enforce laws concerning discrimination.<\/span><\/p>\n

BOR\/CSCU Sexual Misconduct Reporting, Support Services and Processes Policy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Statement of Policy<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) will not tolerate sexual misconduct against students, staff, faculty, or visitors, whether it comes in the form of intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation or sexual harassment, as defined in the BOR\/CSCU policy. In an ongoing effort to prevent sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence on the CCSU campus, the University provides education and prevention programs for the CCSU community and pursues all criminal and administrative remedies for complaints of sexual misconduct.<\/span><\/p>\n

WCSU is a community dependent upon trust and respect for its constituent members: students, faculty, staff and those visiting or under temporary contract. As noted in University\u2019s Violence in the Workplace Prevention Policy, members of the University community have the right to a safe and welcoming campus environment. Acts of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence threaten personal safety and violate the standards of conduct expected of community members.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Board of Regents for Higher Education (“BOR”) in conjunction with the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (“CSCU”) is committed to insuring that each member of every BOR governed college and university community has the opportunity to participate fully in the process of education and development. The BOR and CSCU strive to maintain a safe and welcoming environment free from acts of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence. It is the intent of the BOR and each of its colleges or universities to provide safety, privacy and support to victims of sexual misconduct and intimate partner violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

The BOR strongly encourages victims to report any instance of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking and intimate partner violence, as an effective means of taking action by reporting such acts to the appropriate officials and pursuing criminal or disciplinary remedies, or both. The only way that action can be taken against anyone who violates another in such a manner is through reporting. Each and every BOR governed college and university shall provide those who report sexual misconduct with many supportive options, including referral to agencies that provide medical attention, counseling, legal services, advocacy, referrals and general information regarding sexual misconduct. Each and every BOR governed college and university will preserve the confidentiality of those who report sexual misconduct to the fullest extent possible and allowed by law. All BOR and CSCU employees, victim support persons and community victim advocates being consulted will make any limits of confidentiality clear before any disclosure of facts takes place. Other than confidential resources as defined above, in addition to employees who qualify as Campus Security Authorities under the Jeanne Clery Act, all BOR and CSCU employees are required to immediately communicate to the institution\u2019s designated recipient any disclosure or report of sexual misconduct regardless of the age of the reported victim.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexual intimacy is permissible only if it is agreed to by all participants and all activity is affirmatively consensual at all times. Sexual misconduct, as defined herein, is a violation of BOR\/CSCU policies and, in addition, may subject an accused student or employee to criminal penalties. <\/em>The BOR and each of its governed colleges and universities are committed to providing an environment free of personal offenses. Sexual relationships of any kind between staff, faculty and students are discouraged pursuant to BOR\/CSCU policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Definitions:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Consent<\/strong>\u00a0is defined as an affirmed and given freely, willingly, and knowingly of each participant to desired physical\/sexual involvement. Consent is a mutually affirmative, conscious decision \u2013 indicated clearly by words or actions \u2013 to engage in mutually accepted sexual contact. Consent may be revoked at any time during the sexual activity by any person engaged in the activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmative consent<\/strong> is defined as a known, not assumed permission, to engage someone with no physical resistance or other negative response. A person who initially consents to sexual activity shall be deemed not to have affirmatively consented to any such activity which occurs after that consent is withdrawn. It is the responsibility of each person to assure that he or she has the affirmative consent of all persons engaged in the sexual activity to engage in the sexual activity and that affirmative consent is sustained throughout the sexual activity. It shall not be a valid excuse to an alleged lack of affirmative consent that the student or employee responding to the alleged violation believed that the student reporting or disclosing the alleged violation consented to the activity (i) because the responding student or employee was intoxicated or reckless or failed to take reasonable steps to ascertain whether the student or employee reporting or disclosing the alleged violation affirmatively consented, or (ii) if the responding student or employee knew or should have known that the student or employee reporting or disclosing the alleged violation was unable to consent because the student or employee was unconscious, asleep, unable to communicate due to a mental or physical condition, or incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication. The existence of a past or current dating or sexual relationship between the persons involved in the alleged violation shall not be determinative of a finding of affirmative consent.<\/span><\/p>\n

Report<\/strong>\u00a0of sexual misconduct<\/strong> is defined as the receipt of a communication of an incident of sexual misconduct accompanied by a request for an investigation or adjudication by the institution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/strong>\u00a0is defined as the receipt of any communication of an incident of sexual misconduct that is not accompanied by a request for an investigation or adjudication by the institution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexual misconduct<\/strong>\u00a0is defined as engaging in any of the following behaviors:<\/span><\/p>\n

a)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sexual harassment<\/strong> of employees and students at Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU” or “University”) is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual\u2019s employment; submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for academic or employment decisions affecting the student or employee; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an employee’s or student’s work performance or educational experience, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment. In an academic setting sexual harassment would also include any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual might affect academic or personal decisions that are subject to the influence of the person making the proposal. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sexual harassment is discrimination on the basis of sex and a violation of the Connecticut General Statues, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Additionally, unwanted physical contact with another person is a violation of the Connecticut General Statues and may result in criminal prosecution.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment include but are not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n