Harassment & Discrimination
Anti-Harrassment Policy
Studio Acting Conservatory is committed to providing a space free of harassment. To that end, the Conservatory complies with all DC and federal anti-harassment laws and expressly prohibits any form of harassment, including but not limited to harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, marital status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, matriculation, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This anti-harassment policy applies to all conduct in the workplace and in student-related settings. SAC has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior by any member of the Conservatory community–faculty, staff, board, students, and visiting instructors—that constitutes or could lead or contribute to harassment. Violation of this policy may result in corrective actions including but not limited to separation from the Conservatory.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment constitutes discrimination and is illegal under federal and local law. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and 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’s status as a currently enrolled student
- submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for teacher evaluation decisions affecting such individual; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
Sexual harassment may involve individuals of the same or different gender, it may involve physical, verbal, visual or online conduct, and it may include a range of subtle and not so subtle behaviors. Depending on the circumstances, these behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
- unwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favors,
- intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature such as patting, grabbing, pinching or brushing against another’s body,
- sexually oriented gestures, noises, remarks, jokes, or comments about a person’s sexuality or sexual experience,
- repeated unwelcome requests for a romantic relationship,
- displaying pictures, posters, calendars, graffiti, objects, promotional materials, reading materials or other materials that are sexually suggestive, sexually demeaning, or pornographic,
- offensive visual conduct, including leering, making sexual gestures, sending pornographic e-mails,
- offensively suggestive or obscene letters, notes or invitations, or foul or obscene language or gestures.
The above list is not, and is not intended to be, all-inclusive. No form of sexual harassment will be tolerated.
Other Forms of Harassment
SAC is committed to creating a learning environment free from harassment. The Conservatory has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that is or may constitute harassment. Harassment, other than sexual harassment, is conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion to a student based on race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, political affiliation, veteran status, marital status, family responsibilities, personal appearance, matriculation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct that interferes with another individual’s work performance or that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment.
Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to:
- epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping;
- threatening, intimidating or hostile acts;
- demeaning jokes or displays; or
- circulation of written or graphic materials that disparage or show hostility or aversion towards an individual or group.
- use of any Conservatory property, such as bulletin boards or computers, for purposes of producing, displaying or transmitting material that is demeaning to or derogatory towards an individual or group, even if intended as humor.
- bringing into the workplace any material that is demeaning to or derogatory towards an individual or group, even if intended as humor.
- communicating to any individual in the workplace any statement that is demeaning or derogatory, including, but not limited to, comments intended as humor.
Anti-Racism & Discrimination Policy
The Conservatory is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment for all individuals regardless of any identity, background, or ability, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical/mental ability, appearance, socio-economic status, education level, and political viewpoint.
SAC has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior by any member of the Conservatory community—faculty, staff, board, students, and visiting instructors—that constitutes or could lead or contribute to racism or discrimination. Violation of this policy may result in corrective actions including but not limited to separation from the Conservatory.
Retaliation
The Conservatory will take all reasonable steps to protect a complainant and any witnesses from retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment or for participating in the investigation of a complaint. Any member of the SAC community who retaliates against an individual who complains of discrimination or harassment, or witnesses discrimination or harassment, or participates in the investigation of a discrimination or harassment complaint, violates this policy and may be subject to sanctions. Complaints of retaliation should be reported as violations of this policy.