Campus Policies

Harassment and Discrimination 

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Harassment Policy

Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of his her protected class, and that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or educational environment.

Harassment of an individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission is prohibited. Harassment may occur in a variety of relationships, including faculty and student, supervisor and employee, student and student, staff and student, employee and employee, and other relationships with persons having business at, or visiting the educational or working environment.

Sexual Harassment

As required by law, Bemidji State University has further defined sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination which is prohibited by state and federal law. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated conduct, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or education, evaluation of a student's academic performance, or term or condition of participation in student activities sanctioned by the university; or
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions or other decisions about participation in student activities or other events or activities sanctioned by the university; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose and effect of threatening an individual's employment; interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
   

Discriminatory Conduct Policy

Discrimination is defined as conduct that is directed at an individual because of his or her protected class and that subjects the individual to different treatment by agents or employees so as to interfere with or limit the ability of the individual to participate in, or benefit from the services activities, or privileges provided by the University or otherwise adversely affects the individual’s employment or education.

Bemidji State University is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment and educational opportunities. No person shall be discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment, personnel practices, or access to and participation in programs, services and activities with regard to race, sex, color creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, or membership or activity in a local commission as defined by law.

Reporting Harassment or Discriminatory Conduct

Any individual who believes she or he has been or is being subjected to harassment or discriminatory conduct as defined above is encouraged to report the behavior(s)/incident(s).  Any student, faculty or staff member is knows of, receives information about or receives a complaint of discrimination or harassment is also encouraged to report the information or complaint. The following individuals serve as the University’s designated officers with regard to reporting.

    Ms. Linda Gilsrud
    Affirmative Action Officer and Director of Human Resources
    Deputy Hall
    218-755-3966

    Dr. Randy Ludeman
    University Conduct Officer
    Walnut Hall
    218-755-3750

Another option for reporting harassment is the Department of Public Safety, located in Walnut Hall. Public Safety’s phone number is 218-755-3888. More information about this option may be found on the Public Safety website.

Resources

As part of the Minnesota Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU), Bemidji State University follows the MnSCU Board of Trustees policy 1B.1 “Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity.” In addition, the University also utilizes the MnSCU Procedure 1B.1.1, “Report/Complaint of Discrimination/Harassment Investigation and Resolution."
The MnSCU Board policy and procedure provide extensive and detailed information, and these documents are provided to individuals who report harassment and discriminatory conduct by the University’s designated officers.

The University has developed a flowchart that depicts the process for resolving complaints of harassment or discrimination.

The BSU Responsible Men, Responsible Women program enhances student success by providing information about sexual harassment, sexual violence, safe relationships, healthy relationships, personal safety, alcohol and drug use, and supportive services and phone numbers.