SMCCME

Harassment Prohibited

The College recognizes the dignity and right of individuals to work, learn, play and live in an environment which is free of substantial unlawful interference. Consequently, the College is committed to preventing and responding promptly and effectively to harassment of College students, employees, volunteers or visitors.

Sexual Harassment Prohibited

Sexual harassment is prohibited at the College under both state and federal laws and College and MCCS policies. Sexual harassment includes 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 employment or educational benefits;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting that individual; or
• such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, educational or living environment; and
• such conduct or behavior was known by the actor to be unwelcome, harmful or offensive; or
• a person of reasonable sensibilities would clearly have understood that the behavior or conduct was unwelcome, harmful or offensive. 

College Commitment to Non-Discrimination

The College respects the legal rights of each person to work and learn in an environment that is free from unlawful discrimination. The College is committed to complying with all federal and state laws, rules, and regulations which exist regarding these civil rights, specifically those regarding the treatment of persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sex, religion, veteran status, sexual orientation, familial status and physical or mental disability. This commitment is monitored regularly for compliance with, for example, Title VI of The Civil Rights Act of 1964; Age Discrimination Act of 1975; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title II of The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and the Maine Human Rights Act.

Affirmative Action

It is a goal of the College to act affirmatively to admit and serve students from traditionally under-represented groups. The College embraces the educational values served by a diverse student body. All applicants are evaluated for admission based on the criteria and standards established for College programs.

Report of Complaint

Where to Report

Any person who believes that he or she has been discriminated against or harassed (“complainant”) must make a timely report to the College’s Non-Discrimination/Affirmative Action (ND/AA) Officer as set forth herein. The ND/AA Officer may be contacted at the Cates Building, Southern Maine Community College, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106, telephone 207.741.5798, fax 207.741.5751, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , internet http://www.smccme.edu. 

If the ND/AA Officer is the person alleged to have discriminated against or sexually harassed, the complainant should report the complaint to the College President. The College President will then assign a person other than the ND/AA Officer to investigate the complaint. The College President may be contacted at the Cates Building, Southern Maine Community College, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106, telephone 207.741.5501, fax 207.741.5751.

If the College President is the person alleged to have discriminated against or harassed, the role of the College President in this Procedure will be executed by the MCCS Director of Human Resources, who may be contacted at 323 State Street, Augusta, Maine, 04330; telephone 207-629-4000, or that Director’s designee.

When to Report

A complainant should report their complaint as soon as possible after the first date of the alleged discrimination or harassment, and must report, if at all, not later than 180 calendar days after the last date of the alleged discrimination or harassment.

How to Report

A complaint may be made orally or in writing, and it must be particular. It must disclose the identity of the person(s) alleged to have engaged in discrimination or harassment (“respondent”), and the location(s), date(s) and description of the alleged acts. If a complainant discusses a complaint with an employee of the College, that employee should promptly refer the complainant to the ND/AA Officer and inform that Officer of that employee’s knowledge of that complaint.

The College cannot take complaints “off the record.” Once the College receives such information, it has a duty to investigate and possibly take action even if, at the time of the complaint, the complainant does not want the College to do either. Unless the complainant signs a written statement specifying withdrawal of the complaint, the complainant may not be deemed to have withdrawn her or his complaint.

A report filed under this Procedure will not be deemed to be a “grievance” under any applicable collective bargaining agreement. If a complainant seeks to file a collective bargaining-based grievance, the complainant must do so in addition to complying with this Procedure.

Disability Accommodation Complaints

A person whose discrimination complaint relates to a disability accommodation must first comply with the College’s ADA or Disability Services policy and procedure, and present any such concerns to the College’s ADA or Disability Coordinator prior to reporting a complaint to the ND/AA Officer. The College’s ADA or Disability Coordinator may be contacted at the Campus Center, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME 04106, telephone 207.741.5923 or 207.741.5629, fax 207.741.5653.