Lipscomb University Harassment/Mistreatment Policies and Procedures

All policies and procedures for defining, reporting, investigating, and processing student allegations of harassment are established, published, and applied at the institutional level by Lipscomb University (the Sponsoring Institution). These institutional policies protect all PA students equally across all program phases, including the didactic phase (on-campus lectures, labs, and academic activities) and the clinical phase (supervised clinical practice experiences, health system sites, and preceptor interactions).

ARC-PA Definitions

The Physician Assistant Program adopts the ARC-PA standard definition of harassment:

• Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, transgender status, or pregnancy), national origin, older age (beginning at age 40), disability, or genetic information (including family medical history). Harassment is conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a work or learning environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) do not meet the definition of harassment.

• Mistreatment is any behavior that disrespects others' dignity or interferes with the learning process. It can be intentional or unintentional. Examples of mistreatment include: 

  • Discrimination: Denying opportunities based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected categories 

  • Humiliation: Publicly belittling or humiliating someone 

  • Physical or psychological punishment: Threatening or actually inflicting physical harm 

  • Unfair treatment: Intentionally singling out someone for arbitrary treatment 

  • Exploitation: Requiring that someone perform personal errands or exploiting them in any other way

• ARC-PA Standard A1.02g: The sponsoring institution is responsible for defining, publishing, making readily available, and consistently applying to students its policies and procedures for processing student allegations of harassment and mistreatment.

Lipscomb University Frameworks & Published Policies 

Lipscomb University prohibits all forms of harassment across all legally protected categories. Allegations are processed through institutional channels based on the nature of the conduct:

• Sexual Harassment & Sex-Based Misconduct: Governed by the official Lipscomb University Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy. This policy explicitly addresses sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. The complete institutional policy and grievance procedures are published on the Lipscomb Title IX Page.

• General & Non-Title IX Harassment: Allegations involving harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or other protected categories, as well as sex-based conduct determined to fall outside the statutory jurisdiction of Title IX, are governed by the university's Nondiscrimination Policy and the general disciplinary procedures published in the Lipscomb University Graduate Student Handbook.

• Student Mistreatment & Misconduct: Allegations involving student mistreatment—including, but not limited to, bullying, hazing, exploitation, bias, and other relevant behaviors—are governed by the institutional community standards, the Code of Conduct, and the grievance mechanisms set forth in the Lipscomb University Graduate Student Handbook.

Procedures for Reporting and Filing Allegations of Harassment

PA students who experience, witness, or are subjected to harassment in any classroom, lab, or clinical rotation site may file a report through the following centralized university mechanisms:

• Centralized Online Incident Reporting: Anonymous or named reports for any form of harassment, discrimination, or misconduct can be filed 24/7 by selecting the "Report an Incident" link located on the Lipscomb University Title IX Resources page.

• Title IX Coordinator: Direct reports of sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual misconduct may be submitted to the institutional Title IX Coordinator:

Coordinator: Kathy E. Hargis

Office Location: Crisman Administration Building

Phone: 615-966-5661

Email: hargiske@lipscomb.edu

Procedures for Reporting and Filing Allegations of Mistreatment

PA students who experience, witness, or are subjected to student mistreatment—including bullying, hazing, exploitation, or bias—may file a report through the following university mechanisms:

• Code of Conduct & Incident Reporting: Allegations involving general mistreatment, bullying, hazing, or code of conduct violations may be reported to the Office of Student Life, the Director of Student Accountability and Community Standards, or Campus Security. Reports can be filed using the centralized University Incident Report Form or submitted directly to the Office of Student Engagement (including via 615-966-HAZE or stophazing@lipscomb.edu for hazing concerns). These reports are processed in accordance with the university's general disciplinary and administrative hearing procedures outlined in the Lipscomb University Graduate Student Handbook.   

• Campus Environment Team (C.E.T.) Reporting: Incidents of mistreatment involving bias can be reported through the Campus Environment Team framework. Submissions can be made via the online University Incident Report Form, by direct email to a C.E.T. member, or through an in-person verbal statement. The C.E.T. provides an educational, supportive, and non-punitive process designed to address bias and maintain an inclusive campus environment.   

Consistent Institutional Application & Non-Retaliation 

Lipscomb University ensures consistent, impartial application of its harassment policies by centralizing all intake, investigations, and formal hearings through university-level administrators rather than individual academic departments.

University policy strictly prohibits retaliation or reprisal against any student for filing a report, participating in an investigation, or seeking supportive measures. Individualized supportive measures, such as course/rotation schedule adjustments, mutual no-contact orders, or alternative learning arrangements, are available to PA students upon request, regardless of whether a formal complaint is filed.

References

• Sexual Harassment & Misconduct Policy

• Lipscomb University Title IX Resources

• Lipscomb University Graduate Student Handbook 

  • Section: Introduction → Sub-section: Non-Discrimination Policy 

  • Section: Student Accountability and Community Standards → Subsection: Code of Conduct → Sub-sections: Hazing, Sexual Exploitation, & Sexual Harassment or Misconduct.

  • Section: Student Accountability and Community Standards → Subsection: Disciplinary Procedures and Actions

  • Section: Student Engagement → Subsection: Campus Environment Team

• University Incident Report Form

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