Comprehensive Policy

Discrimination

Discrimination is the different treatment of another person, based wholly or partially on a person’s actual or perceived Protected Characteristic(s). When substantiated, discrimination will be appropriately addressed and remedied, whether through Sanctions, Responsive Interventions, or both.

Discrimination can take two primary forms:

• Disparate treatment discrimination is the intentional differential treatment of a person based wholly or partially on actual or perceived Protected Characteristic(s) and that excludes a person from participation in, denies the person the benefits of, or otherwise adversely affects the person’s participation in the University’s Education Program or Activity.
• Disparate impact discrimination occurs when policies or practices that appear neutral unintentionally result in a disproportionate impact on one or more person(s) with Protected Characteristic(s) that excludes the person from participation in, denies the person the benefits of, or otherwise adversely affects the person’s participation in the University’s Education Program or Activity.

Disparate treatment discrimination may result in Sanctions; whereas disparate impact discrimination may be remedied through Responsive Interventions, as applicable.

A number of different behaviors are also prohibited as forms of discrimination when the misconduct or its resulting harm is based on or related to a person’s actual or perceived Protected Characteristic(s).

See Discrimination Policy for more information.

Sexual Misconduct

Although federal and state laws define various violent and/or non-consensual sexual acts as crimes, for the purposes of the Comprehensive Policy, Loyola applies its own definitions and standards for the various ways in which sexual and/or gender-based misconduct are prohibited, in compliance with Title IX where applicable.

Acts of sex-based harassment and other sexual misconduct may be committed by any person upon any other person, regardless of the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity or expression of those involved. Specific violations include sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and sexual exploitation, which are described in further detail at the link below.

See Sexual Misconduct Policy for more information.

Retaliation Based on a Protected Activity

For the purposes of the Comprehensive Policy, retaliation is defined as any adverse action taken against a person (including peer-to-peer retaliation among Students or among faculty or staff employees) because of their participation in a protected activity, as defined below.

“Adverse action” means intimidation, threats, coercion, discrimination, or any other action taken for the purpose of interfering with any right or privilege established under the Comprehensive Policy or related federal, state, and/or local laws.

“Protected activity” includes reporting information, filing a Complaint, testifying, assisting with or participating in an investigation or proceeding under the Comprehensive Policy, or otherwise exercising one’s rights under the Comprehensive Policy. Protected activity does not include intentionally making a materially false statement in bad faith, or refusing to report information, participate as a witness, or otherwise assist with an investigation or proceeding where otherwise required under the Comprehensive Policy.

See Retaliation Policy for more information.

Other Related Offenses

Certain other related offenses are also prohibited under the Comprehensive Policy, including unauthorized disclosures related to OEC case materials and failure to comply or interfering with OEC processes. Click the link below for additional information.

See Other Related Offenses for more information.