Marquette University, as a Christian and Catholic institution, is dedicated to the proposition that all human beings possess an inherent dignity in the eyes of their creator and equality as children of God. The university entirely and consistently condemns, as a matter of principle, any unlawful or wrongful discrimination against the rights of others.
As the university is committed to maintaining an environment in which the dignity and worth of each member of its community is respected, it is the policy of the university that racial abuse or harassment of or by students, faculty, staff and guests or visitors will not be tolerated. Such behavior of identified individuals or groups will be subject to appropriate action including but not limited to education, probation, suspension or expulsion, from the institution or the campus, and/or civil or criminal action in some instances.
Racial abuse is defined ordinarily as verbal, written, or physical conduct directed at a person or a group based on one's color, race, national origin, or ethnicity where the offensive behavior is intimidating, hostile, or demeaning, or which could or does result in mental, emotional, or physical discomfort, embarrassment, ridicule, or harm. Racial harassment differs from abuse only in that it is defined ordinarily as repeated, persistent or continual verbal, written or physical conduct directed at a person or a group or different individuals on separate occasions.
Racial abuse and harassment include not only offensive behavior which interferes with a person's or group's well-being or development, but also such behaviors which interfere with one's employment or educational status or performance, or which create a hostile working, academic, or social environment.
It is a violation for a university person — student, faculty, staff, guest or visitor or anyone else acting at the instigation of a university person — to:
- Engage in any form of racial abuse or harassment intentionally or unintentionally on the campus, on the immediately adjoining sidewalks or streets or in the off-campus area.
- Retaliate against a person who has initiated an inquiry or complaint having to do with racial abuse or harassment.
Information about a concern or a complaint is available from the following offices: dean of students, Office of Intercultural Engagement, Office of International Education, academic deans/directors, and affirmative action.
Anyone with a concern or complaint about a student should contact the dean of students, Office of Intercultural engagement or OIE. Anyone with a complaint about an employee (including a student employee) should contact the person's immediate supervisor. If the complaint is with the immediate supervisor, the employee should contact the supervisor's immediate supervisor. A complaint about a guest or visitor should be called to the attention of the host or the supervisor of the area or event where the concern has arisen.
Any student or employee may also contact the director of affirmative action for counseling and assistance. The right of confidentiality for any party involved in a racial abuse or harassment incident, including the complainant and the accused, will be respected insofar as it does not interfere with the university's obligation to investigate allegations of misconduct and to take corrective action where appropriate.