Title

Glossary

A person who witnesses an act that is problematic, harmful or abusive and chooses to challenge that act to support the victim.

Repeated, severe and/or aggressive behavior intended to intimidate, harm, control, threaten or diminish another person, physically or mentally. Bullying may include physical, mental, verbal and/or sexual abuse.

Unreasonable pressure to perform an activity, sexual or otherwise.

Permission for an activity to occur. Consent may be given by word or action so long as those words or actions provide mutually understandable intent to all involved parties. If an individual denies consent, they do not give permission for an act to occur. 

A pattern of abusive behaviors used to exert power and/or control over a current or former partner in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. These behaviors may include, but are not limited to physical, emotional, sexual, verbal or economic abuse; threats of abuse; and acts that intimidate, isolate, manipulate, humiliate, coerce, frighten, blame or hurt an individual. Patterns indicative of domestic violence may include consistent tension in the household; explosive outbursts of verbal, emotional and/or physical abuse; and repeated apologies where the abuser shifts the blame for their behavior.

Actions that interfere with or negatively impact the education, employment, benefits or other opportunities presented to an individual on the basis or sex or gender (even if those actions are not sexual in nature).

Hostile actions such as verbal or nonverbal abuse, physical aggression and intimidation performed on the basis of sex or gender (even if those actions are not sexual in nature).

Actions likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any person within the university community, both voluntary and involuntary. Hazing is typically involved with the admission, initiation, pledging, joining or ongoing membership of any group, club or activity.

The exposure of the private or intimate parts of the body in a lewd manner, the intent being for other, non-consenting individuals to observe the responding party. Indecent exposure may occur in public or in private.

Implied threats or acts that cause unreasonable fear of harm in another.

Intentional, sexual touching inflicted by any person upon any other person without consent. Sexual contact includes touching with body parts and objects.

Sexual penetration (anal, oral or vaginal) inflicted, however slight, by any person upon any other person without consent. Sexual intercourse includes penetration with body parts and objects.

A favor or advantage granted to a person in exchange for another favor or advantage. For the purposes of this Policy, quid pro quo describes sexual favors performed for the purposes of admission to or promotion within university-affiliated programs, activities or employment (as well as non-university programs, activities and employment on campus).

The act of taking advantage of a person in a sexual manner that is non-consensual, unjust and/or abusive. Examples of sexual exploitation include, but are not limited to, invasion of sexual privacy; prostitution of an individual; non-consensual recording of sexual activities, both audio and video; evading or going beyond the boundaries of consent; engaging in voyeurism; knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted infection or HIV to an individual; and exposing or inducing exposure of one’s genitals without consent. Stalking and/or bullying with sexual intent may also be considered forms of sexual exploitation.

Any act or conduct characterized by unwelcome sexual remarks, physical advances, requests for sexual favors or otherwise non-consensual behavior.

An all-encompassing term that includes, but is not limited to, sexual assault, sexual abuse, non-consensual sexual acts and other acts, both attempted and successful, performed against one’s sexuality.

Repeated acts of following, harassing and/or threatening a specific individual.