Risk Management

Sexual misconduct is illegal. It is a form of sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act if 1972 and the official policy of The City University of New York.

Policy Statement

Every member of The City University of New York community, including students, employees and visitors, deserves the opportunity to live, learn and work free from sexual harassment, gender-based harassment and sexual violence.

A. Prohibited Conduct

Sexual Harassment, Gender-Based Harassment and Sexual Violence

B. Retaliation

This policy prohibits retaliation against any person who reports sexual harassment, gender-based harassment or sexual violence, assists someone making such a report, or participates in any manner in an investigation or resolution of a sexual harassment, gender-based harassment or sexual violence complaint.

C. Certain Intimate Relationships

This policy also prohibits certain intimate relationships when they occur between a faculty member or employee and any student for whom he or she has a professional responsibility.

Hunter College is committed to the health and safety of the student body, and maintaining a productive learning and working environment. The Hunter College Behavioral Response Team is a group of professionals dedicated to providing support and assistance to students in crisis or in distress. The BRT promotes a culture of mutual support and collaboration and is a resource designed for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Hazing is a serious offense and will not be tolerated. Any individual or student group found to be involved in hazing might be subject to organization suspension, disciplinary action and/or criminal prosecution.

“Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. In years past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities.

CUNY Standards of Conduct

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of drugs or alcohol by anyone on CUNY property (including CUNY residence halls), in CUNY buses or vans, or at CUNY-sponsored activities is prohibited. In order to make informed choices about the use of drugs and alcohol, CUNY students and employees are expected to familiarize themselves with the information provided by CUNY about the physiological, psychological, and social consequences of substance abuse.

NYS Governor’s Office Opiate/Heroin Initiative

CUNY has joined the New York State Governor’s Office in an important initiative to address a recent increase in heroin overdose. Heroin is an opiate, a class of drugs that is derived from the poppy plant. All opiate abuse, including many prescription painkillers, can lead to addiction, overdose and even death. If you or someone you know is abusing heroin or prescription painkillers, CUNY’s Mental Health and Wellness Offices can provide educational resources and referrals to organizations that can help. In addition, selected CUNY health and public safety staff are being trained to administer Naloxone, a drug used to counter the effects of opioid overdose and prevent death. For immediate help, visit your local emergency room, or call the OASAS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to speak with a trained medical professional. HOPEline staff can answer your questions and help you find treatment. All calls are free and confidential.

Club Membership and Student Behavior

Student club members and officers are expected to be complicit with University, College and club policies. Please communicate policies to club members and encourage them to report any violations of policies, harassment, violence, threats, etc. Any instances where club members have violated policies, harassed others and/or have become a threat to students or themselves must be reported. Clubs may not suspend or terminate membership without administrative due process. Please follow up with the Office of Student Activities at 212-772-4908 or twooten@hunter.cuny.edu once you have filed a report.

Drug/Alcohol Use Amnesty Policy

The City University of New York’s (CUNY ’s) Drug/Alcohol Use Amnesty Policy has two principal purposes:

First, it is intended to encourage students to seek medical assistance related to drug and/or alcohol use without fear of being disciplined for such use. Because the use of drugs or alcohol may be life-threatening, CUNY wishes to reduce barriers to seeking and receiving medical help in those situations.

Second, CUNY wishes to encourage students under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol who may be the victims of, witnesses to, or otherwise become aware of violence (including but not limited to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault) or sexual harassment or gender-based harassment to report that violence or harassment.

Toward that end, CUNY’s Policy is that students who seek medical assistance either for themselves or others and/or are reporting violence or harassment will not be subject to discipline under the circumstances described in the policy.