Discrimination/Harassment
ADM 2.0
It is the policy of the Archdiocese to prohibit discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability or handicap, gender identity or expression, or protected activity (i.e. opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in the complaint process) in its education programs and activities. Each Catholic school shall adhere to this policy with respect to students. This policy does not prohibit Catholic schools from giving priority consideration to Catholics (over non-Catholics) in the admissions process. Catholic schools are not required to adopt any rule, regulation, or policy that conflicts with their religious or moral teachings.
Purpose:
This Policy applies to all students in Archdiocesan elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The Archdiocese neither condones nor tolerates harassment of students at school, at school-related activities or functions, or in any school-related setting. Harassment of students, whether engaged in by other students, teachers, administrators, or others, is prohibited. Violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or suspension or expulsion from school, depending on the nature and severity of the offense and the individual’s disciplinary record.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
The school promulgates a clear statement of its policy regarding harassment consistent with the Harassment Policy contained in the Parent/Student Handbook Template.
A. For purposes of this Policy, “harassment” means verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of his or her race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability or handicap, gender identity or expression, or protected activity, that:
(i) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
(ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic performance: or
(iii) otherwise adversely affects an individual’s education opportunities.
B. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, handicap or disability, gender identity or expression. “Sexual” harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to, or rejection of, such conduct is used as the basis for educational decisions or has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
C. The School publishes the State of Maryland's Mandatory Non-Discrimination Statement (see Model Student
Handbook).
References:
Archdiocese of Baltimore Student Harassment Policy (see below for Code of Conduct for Church Personnel in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Appendix B)
April 19, 2023