III. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, groups, members of the Board of  Trustees, consultants, vendors, volunteers, others engaged in business with the College, guests and visitors. Every individual is responsible for acting in accordance with this policy and other College policies and procedures. Any individual can be a reporting party or  complainant.

While the College prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of disability, it is covered in the Grievance Procedures for the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (further information is available on Kenyon’s ADA Student Policy webpage and the ADA Employee and Visitor Policy webpage).

This policy applies to all forms of Prohibited Conduct that:

• Occur on campus;
• Occur in any Kenyon College education or employment activities and programs; or
• Have continuing adverse effects on campus, on any member of the Kenyon College community, or in the context of any Kenyon College education or employment activities and programs, regardless of where the conduct occurred.

Upon receipt of a report, the College will take prompt and effective action by: providing supportive measures and support for individuals who make a report or seek assistance under this policy; considering the wishes of an individual regarding supportive measures they are to receive; conducting a review of the conduct; addressing the safety of the complainant and the campus community; and as appropriate, pursuing resolution through informal resolution or formal disciplinary action against the accused individual. Regardless of whether a complainant chooses to pursue disciplinary action, the College will offer reasonably available supportive measures to protect the parties involved and address safety, emotional and physical well-being concerns. The College will not tolerate retaliation and will take immediate and responsive action to any report of retaliation or any violation of supportive measures.

The College may also hold individuals and groups responsible for off-campus conduct that is prohibited by the Student, Staff or Faculty Handbooks. Regardless of when, where or with whom the conduct was reported to have occurred, the College will offer resources, assistance and reasonably available supportive measures to any individuals who have been affected by Prohibited Conduct.

Kenyon College supports the free exchange of ideas in the academic enterprise and shall interpret this policy in a way that protects such an exchange. The central mission of the College, liberal education, requires free and open inquiry in all matters, students and faculty should have the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn. By listening to and challenging those with whom we disagree, we open ourselves to the possibility of learning. And even when debates and arguments don’t change our opinions, they may help us understand their grounds more fully and improve our ability to defend them rationally and persuasively.

The College extends this protection of expression to all Kenyon community members. However, this protection is bounded by prohibitions against the types of discrimination and harassment in this policy. Expression that causes the types of impact noted in this policy does not contribute to the free exchange of ideas supported by the College, but instead denies others the ability to fully access our educational programs and activities. This type of expression is antithetical to our mission and will not be tolerated.