Discrimination and Harassment

Maranatha does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, age, physical disability, ancestry, or national origin. The commitment not to discriminate in the University’s services, education programs, or employment practices extends to all applicants for admissions and employment, as required by Title IX and applicable law. Some programs maintain additional requirements for program acceptance. Where applicable, those standards are clearly stated and published. All concerns relating to discrimination can be directed to: Title IX Coordinator, 745 West Main Street, Watertown, WI 53094 (920-206-2305), or to TitleIXCoordinator@mbu.edu.

Unlawful Harassment

Maranatha is committed to providing an environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive, including sexual harassment.

The Bible provides standards for interaction with others. Biblical standards including, but not limited to: honoring others above ourselves (Romans 12:10); not acting or speaking in a demeaning or perverse manner (Colossians 3:8, Proverbs 4:24, Ephesians 5:4,); but instead, acting and speaking in a manner that builds one another up (Ephesians 4:29, Romans 14:19). Students and employees of Maranatha are expected to adhere to Biblical standards of interaction.

No form of harassment will be tolerated, including harassment because of a person’s race, national origin, disability, pregnancy, age, or gender. Students may not engage in harassing behavior toward other students.

Special attention should be paid to preventing sexual harassment. No student, either male or female, should be subjected verbally or physically to unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures or conduct.

Behavior that amounts to harassment shall result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the college.

Harassment Defined

Harassment is: bothersome, demeaning, irritating, and unreasonably annoying behavior based on race, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy), religion, disability, or age (age 40 or older). Whether or not behavior is harassing is judged by a reasonable-person standard with the understanding that normal day-to-day personal annoyances do not generally rise to the level of harassment.

Sexual Harassment Defined

Sexual harassment is harassment (as defined above) of a specifically sexual nature. Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, or visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This definition includes many forms of offensive behavior and can include sexual-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser.

Unwelcome sexual advances (either verbal or physical), 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 employment, a term or condition of passing a class, or a term or condition for any collegiate opportunity; (2) submission or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for making employment or collegiate decisions; or (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with student’s collegiate opportunities or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or work environment.

Students and employees of the University are prohibited from engaging in other sexually harassing or offensive conduct, including but not limited to:

  1. Unwanted physical contact or conduct of any kind, including sexual flirtations, touching, advances, or propositions;
  2. Verbal harassment of a sexual nature, such as lewd comments, sexual jokes or references, and offensive personal references;
  3. Demeaning, insulting, intimidating, or sexually suggestive comments about an individual;
  4. The display of demeaning, insulting, intimidating, or sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or photographs;
  5. Demeaning, insulting, intimidating or sexually suggestive written, recorded, or electronically transmitted messages.

Any of the above conduct, or other offensive conduct, directed at individuals because of their race, gender, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or age is also prohibited.

How to Report Harassment

If you experience or witness any potentially unlawful harassment, report it immediately to one of the Deans. You can raise concerns and make reports without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

All allegations of harassment will be quickly and discreetly investigated. To the extent possible, your confidentiality and that of any witnesses and the alleged harasser will be protected against unnecessary disclosure. When the investigation is completed, you will be informed of the outcome of the investigation.

Anyone engaging in sexual or other unlawful harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the college.

Anti-Retaliation Policy

Any attempted retaliation against an individual for reporting harassment or participating in the investigation of harassment is strictly forbidden; and a person who acts in retaliation is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the college.

No hardship, penalty, or loss of benefit may be imposed on a person for:

  1. Filing or responding to a complaint of discrimination or harassment made in good faith,
  2. Appearing as a witness in the investigation of a complaint, or
  3. Serving as an investigator in the investigation of a complaint.