Policy Glossary

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Name Description
Abuser

A person who perpetrates a pattern of coercive tactics which can include physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and emotional abuse against an adult intimate partner, with the goal of establishing and maintaining power and control over the victim

Academic Department Organizations

Academic Department Organizations are defined as student groups that are formed, sponsored by Academic departments, in the pursuit of research and academic endeavors, and are not considered long-term student organizations

Academic Policies

Academic Policies are policies concerning the pedagogical and pre-award research mission of the institution, and are under the purview of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, who may consult with the College Senate as appropriate.

Accessible

Able to be used by all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, with or without assistive technology.

Accident

An unintended occurrence that results in injuries, illnesses, or property damage.

Administrative Policies

non-academic policies governing the operations of the College, issued from areas within, Communications and Marketing, Computing and Information Technology, Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Office of Diversity and Equity, and Student and Campus Life.

Aerospace

Aerospace is the human effort in science, engineering, and business to fly in the atmosphere of Earth (aeronautics) and surrounding space (astronautics).

Age

An individual’s development measured in the years they have lived.

Air Gun

A device that is capable of firing a metallic projectile by means of compressed gases or spring.

Alternative Text

Also known as “alt text,” a word or phrase that can be inserted into an HTML document that tells viewers the nature or content of an image.

Archived Web Content

Web content that: (1) is maintained exclusively for reference, research, or recordkeeping; (2) is not altered or updated after the date of archiving; and (3) is organized and stored in a dedicated area or areas clearly identified as being archived.

Assistive Technology

Any software or hardware that allows access to information technology for individuals with disabilities. Examples include special input devices (e.g., head or foot mouse, speech recognition), screen-reading software, and screen magnifiers.

Badge

A badge is a digital artifact issued by the college to document the fact that the badge holder has completed an activity or program. Badges can document a number of different types of activities, ranging from relatively low-stakes efforts such as attendance or participation at a workshop or event (“Attendance Badges”) to more intensive efforts such as completion of a cluster of courses or a major project (“Competency Badges”). Competency Badges include meta-data on the evidence of learning and links to evaluation criteria. The term “badge” only references the documenting artifact and implies nothing about the nature or intensity of the experience. At Geneseo, we currently use the digital platform Credly to issue badges. Badge recipients may share their badges through online platforms such as LinkedIn.

 

Cabinet

President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Vice President for College Advancement, Vice President for Student and Campus Life, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, Chief Diversity Officer, and the Chief of Staff.

Child

An individual under the age of seventeen years, who is participating in a Covered Activity. The term “child” shall not include a matriculated student of the College or a person accepted for matriculation.

Children's Camp

A camp defined under New York Public Health Law §1392.

College Policies

Policies affecting all departments, faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the College.

College-affiliated Organization

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, campus foundation, campus alumni association, or campus auxiliary services corporation.

Color

An individual’s skin pigmentation, complexion, shade, or tone.

Complainant

For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance Policy, Complainant means any individual who has reported being or is alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute covered sexual harassment as defined under this policy.

Computing Resources

Computing resources refer to computing technology owned, leased, operated, and managed by the College, including but not limited to software, electronic mail systems, web hosting, applications, storage media, databases, and Internet connectivity. Also included are physical resources such as College-owned, -leased, -operated, or -managed computers, network cabling, wireless access points, computer workstations, kiosks, card swipes, printers/copiers, audio-visual equipment, telephone/fax equipment, classroom equipment, or wiring closets. Further, computing resources encompass all college voice and data networks, telephone systems, telecommunications infrastructure, communications systems and services, and physical facilities.

Consent

For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance Policy, “consent” means: a knowing, voluntary and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent can be given by words or actions, as long as those words or actions create clear permission regarding willingness to engage in the sexual activity. Silence or lack of resistance, in and of itself, does not demonstrate consent. The definition of consent does not vary based upon a participant's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

  • Consent to any sexual act or prior consensual sexual activity between or with any party does not necessarily constitute consent to any other sexual act. 
  • Consent is required regardless of whether the person initiating the act is under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. 
  • Consent may be initially given but withdrawn at any time. Consent cannot be given when a person is incapacitated, which occurs when an individual lacks the ability to knowingly choose to participate in sexual activity. Incapacitation may be caused by the lack of consciousness or being asleep, being involuntarily restrained, or if an individual otherwise cannot consent. Depending on the degree of intoxication, someone who is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants may be incapacitated and therefore unable to consent. 
  • Consent cannot be given when it is the result of any coercion, intimidation, force, or threat of harm. When consent is withdrawn or can no longer be given, sexual activity must stop.
Covered Activity

A program or activity sponsored or approved by the College or a College-affiliated organization, or an activity conducted by a vendor, licensee or permittee for which a license or permit for use of College facilities has been approved, occurring on or off campus, for the duration of which the responsibility for custody, control and supervision of children is vested in the College, College-affiliated organization or the vendor, licensee or permittee so approved. This policy is not applicable to College oncampus child care centers.

Covered Person

A person who is responsible for the custody, control or supervision of children participating in the Covered Activity and who is:

i. an employee of the College or College-affiliated organization;

ii. a College student;

iii. a volunteer of the College or College-affiliated organization; or

iv. a vendor, licensee, permittee or other person, who is given permission to come onto campus or to use College facilities for Covered Activities; or

v. an employee, agent or volunteer of (iv) above.

Covered Sexual Harassment

For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance Policy, “covered sexual harassment” includes any conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

  1. An employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo);
  2. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the educational institution’s education program or activity;
  3. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), which includes any sexual act directed against another person, without the consent of the victim including instances where the victim is incapable of giving consent;
  4. Dating violence (as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) amendments to the Clery Act), which includes any violence committed by a person: (A) who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and (B) where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors: (i) The length of the relationship; (ii) The type of relationship; (iii) The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
  5. Domestic violence (as defined in the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act), which includes any felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under New York domestic or family violence laws or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of New York State.
  6. Stalking (as defined in the VAWA amendments to the Clery Act), meaning engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to-- (A) fear for their safety or the safety of others; or (B) suffer substantial emotional distress.

Note that conduct that does not meet one or more of these criteria may still be prohibited under the SUNY Geneseo Student Code of Conduct or applicable employment policies.

Department and School Policies

Policies governing the operations of a particular department or School and no other members of the institution.

Direct Contact

When a person leaves their work station and walks about their office space, enters a hallway, transverses a building or goes outside and has the potential to come within six feet of another person.

Direct Costs

Direct costs are defined as all fees associated with having an event or program in College facilities, or supported by College services.

Disability

An individual with, regarded as having, or having record of a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Disability Accommodations

This Policy does not alter any institutional obligations under federal disability laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Parties may request reasonable accommodations for disclosed disabilities to the Title IX Coordinator at any point before or during the Title IX Grievance Process. The Title IX Coordinator will consult with the Office of Accessibility Services and legal counsel in order to engage in the interactive process and provide accommodations as appropriate. The college will not affirmatively provide disability accommodations unless requested by the Parties, even where the Parties may be receiving accommodations in other institutional programs and activities.

Domestic Violence

A pattern of coercive behavior, including acts or threatened acts, that is used by a perpetrator to gain power and control over a victim, as defined in New York State Social Service Law § 459-a, including, but not limited to physical, sexual, psychological, economic, and/or emotional abuse; or the threat of any/all of the aforementioned acts.

Domestic Violence Agency Liaison (DVAL)

A designated employee(s) of SUNY THE COLLEGE who has been trained by the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) to assist victimized employees; who ensure the College compliance with the Gender-Based Violence and the Workplace Policy; and who serves as the primary contact for OPDV.

Education Program or Activity
  • For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance Policy, SUNY Geneseo “education program or activity” includes:
  • Any on-campus premises
  • Any off-campus premises that SUNY Geneseo has substantial control over. This includes buildings or property owned or controlled by a recognized student organization.
  • Activity occurring within computer and internet networks, digital platforms, and computer hardware or software owned or operated by, or used in the operations of SUNY Geneseo’s programs and activities over which SUNY Geneseo has substantial control.
Employee

Any faculty member at SUNY Geneseo or staff employed by the College or a College-related Organization and its subcontractors who are issued College identification cards.

Employee

A person who is on a state payroll or has an official volunteer appointment at the College at the time of the injury. This includes students (full or part-time) working for the college and temporarily on state payrolls at the time of the accident. This does not include employees of the Research Foundation, Campus Auxiliary Services and/or similar organizations.

Employee Health and Safety Officer

A designated official at the college selected to handle the various phases of the safety program.

Equally Effective Alternative Access

An alternative format or medium that communicates the same information in as timely and effective a fashion as does the original format or medium. For interactive or service pages, equally effective means the end result is accomplished in a comparable time and with comparable effort on the part of the requestor. To provide equally effective alternate access, alternates are not required to produce the identical result or level of achievement for persons with and without disabilities, but must afford persons with disabilities equal opportunity to obtain the same result, to gain the same benefit, or to reach the same level of achievement, in the most integrated setting appropriate to the person’s needs.

Face Mask

Includes but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana) and medical masks, must meet the following criteria:

  1. fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face;
  2. completely covers the nose and mouth;
  3. includes multiple layers of fabric;
  4. allows for breathing without restriction; and
  5. if cloth, can be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.
Face Shield

Provide barrier protection to the facial area and related mucous membranes (eyes, nose, lips) and are considered an alternative to goggles. They should cover the forehead, extend below the chin and wrap around the side of the face to the ears. Face shields are not meant to function as primary respiratory protection and should be used concurrently with a medical mask (for droplet precautions) or a respirator (for airborne precautions).

Family Member

For the purpose of maintaining a policy regarding nepotism, a family member is defined as any person living in the same household as the covered individual or any person who is a direct descendant of that covered individual's grandparents or the spouse of such descendant. It also includes, but is not limited to, relationships of adopted, foster, step, or those in loco parentis of an employee or the child of an employee’s any-gender domestic partner.

Federal Privacy Act of 1974

“It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his social security account number.”

Exceptions

  • To comply with another Federal law
  • For a computer system in place prior to 1975

In addition, all government agencies must provide a disclosure statement every time they ask for a Social Security Number. That is, whenever a Social Security Number is requested, the electronic or physical form used to collect the number must be clearly marked as to

  • whether the request is voluntary or mandatory,
  • what authority or legal statute the number is solicited,
  • what uses will be made of the Social Security Number, and
  • the consequences, if any, of failure to provide the information.
FERPA

FERPA protects the privacy of student educational records and requires schools to minimize collection and use of student Social Security Numbers. Social Security Numbers should be collected only for the purpose of processing student loans, employment, and to meet other legal obligations.

Firearm

Any firearm as defined in Section 265.00 (3), or any antique firearm as defined in Section 265.00 (14) of the Penal Law.

Formal Complaint

For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance Policy, “formal complaint” means a document – including an electronic submission - filed by a complainant with a signature or other indication that the complainant is the person filing the formal complaint, or signed by the Title IX Coordinator, alleging sexual harassment against a respondent about conduct within SUNY Geneseo’s education program or activity and requesting initiation of the procedures consistent with the Title IX Grievance Policy to investigate the allegation of sexual harassment.

Foundation Policies

Policies established by the Geneseo Foundation, Inc., a separate 501c3, are on file in the Office of College Advancement.

Fundamental Alteration

A change so significant that it affects the essential nature of the instruction, program or activity provided.

Gender Binary

The idea that there are only two genders – man/woman – and believing that a person's gender is only possible as one or the other (and must be strictly either/or).

Gender Expression

The way in which an individual outwardly expresses or reflects their gender identity to others. (ex. appearance, dress, and/or behavior)

Gender Identity

An individual’s personal sense of gender, which may be the same or different from their sex.

Gender-Based Violence

Violence or threats that happen because of someone’s sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or other related characteristics. Gender-based violence is an umbrella term that includes domestic violence, sex-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence, and can also include stalking or human trafficking.

Governance Policies

Policies developed by College Senate and similar shared governance entities.

Illness or Injury

A state of poor health or unhealthy condition, wound or damage to the body, resulting from any work or official college related activity occurring on campus or otherwise.

Institutional Policies

Includes all policies at SUNY Geneseo.

  • Academic Policies
  • Administrative Policies
  • College Policies
  • Department or School Policies
  • Foundation Board Policies
  • Governance Policies
  • Student Policies
Intimate Partner

Includes persons legally married to one another; persons formerly married to one another; persons who have a child in common, regardless of whether such persons are married or have lived together at any time, couples who live together or have lived together, or persons who are dating or who have dated in the past, including same sex couples.

KN95 Mask

A mask that is more protective than paper, cloth or medical/surgical style masks with varying degrees of filtering efficiency

Marital Status

An individual’s state of being single, married, separated, divorced, or in a partnership with another individual.

Mass Digital Communications

Messages sent, unsolicited, to large segments of the college population using email, text messaging, or voice telephony.

Medical Mask

Reduce the transfer of saliva and respiratory droplets to others and help block blood and other potentially infectious materials from the skin, mouth and nose of the wearer. They have multiple layers of different nonwoven fabric materials, which are fused together. (also known as surgical mask or medical face mask)

Microcredential

A microcredential is a cluster of learning experiences that focus on developing a particular set of skills and include some element of application. Microcredentials provide formal recognition of completion of these experiences and generate a badge. Geneseo-issued microcredentials adhere to SUNY Microcredential Definition and Terms. Through established governance processes, Geneseo approved integrative curricular microcredentials (ICMs) in spring 2020 and has been offering them on an ongoing basis since. ICMs have a curricular foundation (6-12 credits of coursework) and require completion of an applied learning experience with a self-reflective component. ICMs generate a transcript notation and a badge; other types of microcredentials do not generate a transcript notation. At Geneseo, Credly badges for microcredentials will be designed to easily distinguish them from other types of badges.

Military Status

An individual’s participation in the armed forces.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Authentication using two or more different factors to achieve authentication. Factors include: (i) something you know (e.g., password/PIN); (ii) something you have (e.g., cryptographic identification device, token); or (iii) something you are (e.g., biometric). Source: csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/mfa 

N95 Respirator

Provide protection against inhalation of very small infectious airborne particulates using a filtering facepiece respirator. These respirators are indicated for use when in direct contact with patients with COVID-19. N-95 respirators require medical clearance, training and fit testing.

National Origin

An individual’s country of origin, culture, ancestry, linguistic characteristics, accent or physical appearance related to the country they were born, or where their ancestors lived.

No Contact Order

A directive issued to a student(s) not to contact or communicate with a specific student(s). 

This restriction means that a party may not contact the other party through verbal, nonverbal, physical, electronic, or other forms of communication. They may not communicate through means that include, but are not limited to, a mailed written letter, email, social networking sites, phone calls, text messages, and voicemails.

This restriction of contact or communication extends to any actions that a “third party,” such as a friend, family member, or acquaintance, takes on a student’s behalf.

Non-public Place

An area the general campus community would not have routine access to or would reasonably expect privacy afforded, such as residence hall rooms/suites, individual offices and restrooms. 

None
NY State Information Security Breach and Notification Act

Requires the timely notification to citizens regarding any breach of a system containing non-encrypted personal information “in the most expedient time possible and without unreasonable delay.”

NY State Law: Chapter 16, Article 1, Title 1, Section 2b

“Institutions shall not display student Social Security Numbers on public listings of grades, class rosters, student ID cards, student directories, or anything else unless specifically authorized or required by law.”

Order of Protection (OP) (Commonly referred to as “Restraining Order” or “Stay-Away Order”)

An order issued by any court to limit the behavior of someone who harms or threatens to harm another person. Orders of protection may direct the offending party not to injure, threaten, or harass the victim, their family, or any other person(s) listed in the order and may include, but are not limited to ordering him/her/them to stay away from the home, school, business, or place of employment of the victim; vacate a shared residence; abide by any active orders of custody and visitation; and surrender any firearms.

Perpetrator or abusive partner or person who causes harm

A person who commits or threatens to commit coercive or violence acts, which may include, but is not limited to, physical, psychological, sexual, economic, and/or emotional abuse against a victim.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to minimize exposure to a variety of hazards. Examples of PPE include items such as gloves, goggles, face shields, foot protection, protective hearing devices (e.g. earplugs, muffs), hard hats, respirators and full body suits.

Personnel Actions

Personnel actions include, but are not limited to hiring, discipline, performance, evaluation, promotion, tenure, demotion, transfer, discharge from employment, layoff, conditions of work, rates of pay, or similar financial decision and selection for training, and terms, conditions, or privileges of employment

Physical Abuse

Physical contact with a child which is intended to cause, or causes, pain or physical injury, including punching, beating, shaking, throwing, kicking, biting and burning, or directing a child to perform physical activity which is intended to cause physical injury

Policy

A documented guiding principle, plan or course of action of the College designed to influence and determine decisions and actions for which all faculty, staff, and students are accountable. Policies are guiding principles that generate action.

 

Policy Library

A web-based, centrally located system containing the most recent, finalized version of all policies on the Geneseo campus.

Policy Owner

A Policy Owner includes any employee or office designated by the President or any members of the Cabinet to develop College policy.

Policy Writing Group

An ad hoc group charged with drafting or revising a College policy. The members of this group will be selected by the Responsible Officer.

Privacy vs. Confidentiality

Consistent with Student Code of Conduct or applicable employee policy, references made to confidentiality refer to the ability of identified confidential resources to not report crimes and violations to law enforcement or college officials without permission, except for extreme circumstances, such as a health and/or safety emergency or child abuse. References made to privacy mean SUNY Geneseo offices and employees who will maintain privacy to the greatest extent possible, and information disclosed will be relayed only as required or allowed by law, necessary to investigate and/or seek a resolution and/or to notify the Title IX Coordinator or designee, for the purpose of tracking patterns and spotting systemic issues. SUNY Geneseo will limit the disclosure as much as practicable, even if the Title IX Coordinator determines that the request for confidentiality cannot be honored.

Procedure

A specific method or course of action or way of performing or effecting policy implementation; a set of established forms or methods for carrying on affairs of the College. Procedures are the steps taken to implement a policy.

 

Professional Responsibility

May include but is not limited to, supervisory, instructional, or other campus relationship where power and authority is exercised and the real or perceived freedom of the student or employee to terminate or alter the relationship is impeded.

Public Art

Public art is defined as any artwork installed in outdoor spaces on campus or in public areas in campus buildings. 

Public Place

An area that the general campus community has routine access to and where one’s expectation of privacy would be limited, such as outdoor areas, lounges and hallways.

Race

An individual’s physical or social attributes that connect them to categories generally viewed by society as distinct.

Registered Student Organizations

Registered Student Organizations are defined as student groups organized and supported by currently enrolled SUNY Geneseo students in their pursuit to meet a need or fill a niche for the college’s diverse student population.

Relevant evidence and questions

“Relevant” evidence and questions refer to any questions and evidence that tends to make an allegation of sexual harassment more or less likely to be true.

“Relevant” evidence and questions do not include the following types of evidence and questions, which are deemed “irrelevant” at all stages of the Title IX Grievance Process:

  • Evidence and questions about the complainant’s sexual predisposition or prior sexual behavior unless:
    • They are offered to prove that someone other than the respondent committed the conduct alleged by the complainant, or
    • They concern specific incidents of the complainant’s prior sexual behavior with respect to the respondent and are offered to prove consent. 34 C.F.R. § 106.45(6)(i).
  • Evidence and questions that constitute, or seek disclosure of, information protected under a legally-recognized privilege. Legally recognized privileges include but are not limited to attorney-client privilege, physician-patient privilege, and spousal (marital) privilege.
  • Any party’s medical, psychological, and similar records unless the party has given voluntary, written consent. 85 Fed. Reg. 30026, 30294 (May 19, 2020).
  • The results of tests or investigative techniques that are deemed by the Title IX coordinator (in consultation with legal counsel) to lack scientific or evidentiary merit or which are likely to cause damage (including harassment) to any party or the College community.  
Religion

An individual’s adopted belief and practice in a particular system of faith.

Respondent

For the purposes of this Title IX Grievance policy, Respondent means any individual who has been reported to be the perpetrator of conduct that could constitute covered sexual harassment as defined under this policy.

Responsible College Official

The employee of the College or College-affiliated organization, who has been designated by the Campus under Section G, Campus Responsibilities.

Responsible Officer

The Responsible Officer is the appropriate Cabinet member under whose purview a policy is covered.

Retaliation

An adverse action taken against an individual as a result of complaining about discrimination or harassment, exercising a legal right such as obtaining a reasonable accommodation, opposing discriminatory practices or harassment, or participating in or assisting a complaint investigation. Adverse actions may include, but are not limited to:  termination or dismissal, failure to promote or assign salary increases, the assignment of lower grades or performance evaluations than other individuals who perform similarly, attempts to intimidate or harass the individual, the assignment of less desirable work to the individual, or the provision of negative references with respect to academic work or employment.

Rifle

A rifle as defined in Section 265.00 (11) of the Penal Law.

Screen Reader

Software that allows a computer to identify and convert text to speech.

Self Defense Spray Device

A pocket sized spray device which contains and releases a chemical or organic substance which is intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air or any like device containing tear gas, pepper or similar disabling agent. It shall only contain 0.7% oleoresin capsicum by weight total capsaicinoids and the spray device shall not exceed 0.75 ounces.

Sex

An individual’s biological anatomy.

Sexual Abuse

Engaging in a sexual offense with a child and/or encouraging or promoting sexual performance by a child. Pursuant to the NYS Penal Law, including, as presented in Articles 130, 263, and Sections 260.10 and 260.25, sexual offenses include: sexual misconduct, rape, criminal sex acts, forcible touching, persistent sexual abuse, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, course of sexual conduct against a child, facilitating a sex offense with a controlled substance, sexually motivated felony, predatory sexual assault against a child, and sexual performance by a child. This also includes Penal Law offenses relating to children including endangering the welfare of a child and unlawfully dealing with a child in the first degree. Sexual performance by a child, as defined by the Penal Law, is any behavior which results in touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a child for the purpose of sexual gratification of the child and/or adult, including touching by the child and/or adult with or without clothing, and all acts as defined by New York State Penal Law Articles 130, 263 and Section 260.10.

Sexual Harassment

Consistent with the New York State Human Rights Law, unwelcome conduct which is either of a sexual nature, or which is directed at an individual because of that individual’s sex when: 

  1. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment, even if the reporting individual is not the intended target of the sexual harassment; 
  2. Such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; or 
  3. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting an individual’s employment.
Sexual Orientation

An individual’s identity in relation to the gender(s) to which they are attracted.

Shotgun

A shotgun as defined in Section 265.00 (12) of the Penal Law.

Social Security Number

In the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act, codified as 42 U.S.C. § 405.

Stackability

In some cases, completion of low-stakes badged activities can be “stacked” into a full microcredential that also generates a badge. Higher education uses the concept of stackability frequently - for example, in some majors, a student completes introductory courses that focus on basic concepts, then stacks mid-level courses focused on skills development, and then stacks a final level of courses where they demonstrate mastery.

Student Policies

Policies which directly pertain to, and affect, student life at the College.

Undue Administrative or Financial Burdens

A significant disruption, expense and/or difficulty posed by the provision of accessible information technology. When a department is concerned that the provision of accessible information technology will pose undue financial or administrative burdens, it must proceed according to the procedures in this policy.

University Police Officer

A sworn police officer of the University Police Department

Unsafe Work Conditions

Situations or circumstances that might cause an accident, injury or illness.

Unvaccinated

Persons who do not meet the definition of vaccinated and/or those who have not provided proof of vaccination to the appropriate College department (Human Resources, Student Health Services, CAS HR, etc.).

Vaccinated

Persons two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose series or one dose of a single-dose series for COVID-19.

Vendor/Consultant/Contractor

A non-affiliated person or group that has recurring business on the College campus.

Veteran Status

An individual who completed service for any branch of the armed forces, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.

Victim of domestic violence (New York State Social Services Law § 459-a)

Any person over the age of sixteen, any married person, or any parent accompanied by his or her minor child or children in situations in which such person or such person’s child is a victim of an act which would constitute a violation of the penal law, including, but not limited to, acts constituting disorderly conduct, harassment, aggravated harassment, sexual misconduct, forcible touching, sexual abuse, stalking, criminal mischief, menacing, reckless endangerment, kidnapping, assault, attempted assault, attempted murder, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, or strangulation, identity theft, grand larceny, or coercion; and 

  1. Such act or acts have resulted in actual physical or emotional injury or have created a substantial risk of physical or emotional harm to such person or such person’s child; and
  2. Such act or acts are or are alleged to have been committed by a family or household member. 

“Family or household members” mean the following individuals: 

  1. persons related by consanguinity or affinity (blood or a person’s relation to blood relatives of their spouse); 
  2. persons legally married to one another; 
  3. persons formerly married to one another regardless of whether they still reside in the same household; 
  4. persons who have a child in common regardless of whether such persons are married or have married or have lived together at any time; 
  5. unrelated persons who are continually or at regular intervals living in the same household or who in the past continually or at regular intervals lived in the same household; 
  6. persons who are not related by consanguinity or affinity and who are or have been in an intimate relationship regardless of whether such persons have lived together at any time. Factors that may be considered in determining whether a relationship is an “intimate relationship” include but are not limited to: the nature or type of relationship, regardless of whether the relationship is sexual in nature; the frequency of interaction between the persons; and the duration of the relationship. Neither a casual acquaintance nor ordinary fraternization between two individuals in business or social contexts shall be deemed to constitute an “intimate relationship”; or
  7. any other category of individuals deemed to be a victim of domestic violence as defined in regulation by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. 

“Parent” means a natural or adoptive parent or any individual lawfully charged with a minor child’s care or custody.

Visitor

Any person on property owned or controlled by SUNY Geneseo that is not an employee of the College, Research Foundation, or Campus Auxiliary Services.

Visitor/Guest

A non-affiliated person who has been invited to the College campus by a member of the College community for a College business related function.

Voluntary Product Accessibility Template

A document which evaluates how accessible a particular product is according to web accessibility. It is a self-disclosing document produced by a vendor which details each aspect of web accessibility requirements and how the product supports each criteria.

Weapon

(1) A "deadly weapon" as defined in Section 10.00 (12) of the Penal Law, or (2) any weapon defined in Section 265.01 of the Penal Law

Web Content

The textual, visual, or audio content that is encountered as part of the user experience on websites. For purposes of this policy, web content also includes forms and documents accessible through SUNY Geneseo websites.

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

A series of standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium, the main international standards organization for the internet, which promotes usability and best practices to ensure web access for individuals with disabilities.

Work Request

An electronic work order submitted via the TMA maintenance management system. This can be found on the Facilities website or by calling 585-245-5662 to place a repair request..

Workplace

For the purposes of this Policy, any permanent or temporary location away from an employee’s domicile where an employee performs any work-related duties in the course of employment.

Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying is defined as repeated behavior that intends to intimidate, degrade, humiliate or isolate people at work, or undermines their reputation or job performance. Bullying behavior takes many forms including, but not limited to:

  • Incivility – rude or discourteous behavior toward an individual or group
  • Harassment – behavior directed toward an individual or group with the intent to alarm, manipulate, control or abuse
  • Intimidation – threats of imminent or future harm toward an individual or group
  • Exclusion – situations where a person is socially or physically excluded or disregarded from work-related activities on a regular basis.
  • Humiliation – belittling or demeaning others through ridicule or spiteful remarks.

While bullying is typically defined as repeated behaviors, there are times when a behavior is so egregious that it need only happen once to be considered bullying.

NOTE: There is a distinction between a supervisor being firm in instructing and directing an employee related to job tasks or performance management and bullying. Under no circumstances should a supervisor bully an employee, or vice versa. If there are concerns that an employee is being mistreated by his/her/their supervisor, that person should address the matter with Human Resources.

Further guidance on civility in the workplace can be found in the Civility Resources Guide.