Discrimination/Harassment Policy

John Cabot University is committed to being an academic community that values mutual respect, human dignity, and individual differences, and that is supportive of intellectual, personal and professional growth. The University is dedicated to inclusion and diversity and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, ethnic or national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or parental status, or disability in any of its policies, programs, and services. All members of the JCU Community have the expressed right to an environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Students should refer to the JCU Student Handbook and the Student Code of Conduct which outline expectations for behavior and JCU Community Standards. 

JCU Community Standards prohibit the following: 

Discrimination 

When an individual or group is treated less favorably than others because of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, economic status, or sexual orientation or reassignment or any other factor(s) unrelated to ability or potential. 

Harassment 

Unwanted conduct or speech violating a person’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment that interferes with a person’s learning, work or social wellbeing. Harassment includes the following: 

Bullying: repeated or persistent action, criticism or abuse in public or private which (intentionally or unintentionally) humiliates, denigrates, undermines, intimidates or injures the recipient. Bullying includes setting up a person to fail, ridicule, exclusion, victimization, unfair treatment or the abuse or misuse of power. 

Hate Speech: highly derogatory or grossly degrading speech that is intended to dehumanize, humiliate or incite hatred against persons or groups, because of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. 

Gender-based harassment: includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, sexual bullying, intimidation or hostility on the basis of sex or sex-stereotyping (such as sabotaging female students’ work, or heckling a student because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity, either disclosed or undisclosed). 

Sexual Harassment: unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual advances, statements, and requests for sexual favors. The unwelcome character of such verbal or physical conduct may be inferred by such characteristics as its aggressive nature, or its persistence even after its target has expressed that it is unwelcome; it will be implied where there is a power asymmetry (such as that between an instructor and a student, or a supervisor and a worker). Sexual harassment includes: 

• Unwanted sexual statements: jokes, comments on physical attributes, spreading rumors, sexual bullying, or talking about or rating others’ sexual activity or performances. 

• Unwanted personal attention: letters, phone calls, texts, visits, pressure for sexual favors or unnecessary personal interaction, with an evident sexual or romantic intent, including stalking. 

• Unwanted physical or sexual advances: unwanted touching, hugging, kissing, fondling, touching oneself sexually for others to see or other sexual activity. This includes domestic violence and sexual assault. Sexual assault is understood as sexual activity in which one party did not or could not consent. 

Neither acts of retaliation (punishing, either overtly or covertly, or taking negative actions to deter a complainant for making discrimination or harassment complaints or participating in discussions of such), nor false reporting will be tolerated by John Cabot University and will be subject to disciplinary action through the established disciplinary procedures of the University. 

When reporting non-compliant behavior that risks student safety and/or wellbeing, students who are bystanders/witnesses will not be subject to sanctions under the JCU Alcohol and Drug Policy of the University’s Code of Conduct if violations occurred at or near the time of the commission of the alleged offense. 

Resources

Emergency Numbers 
Those in need of emergency assistance can call the JCU Emergency number (+39 331 656 1907) or dial 112 for local Italian emergency services (ambulance, police, fire department) 

Filing a Complaint 
For issues of discrimination and harassment committed within the JCU community and between JCU community members, students may initiate a formal discrimination/harassment complaint against another JCU student or staff by submitting an official complaint form. These formal complaints are evaluated and resolved internally by the Dean of Students Office and the Director of Health and Wellbeing, Roman Clark. In addition, JCU will work in full cooperation with any Italian law enforcement involved should an official report be filed with local law enforcement. 

Student Policy Advisor
Students who may have additional questions about JCU policies and procedures within the Student Handbook may choose to contact the Student Policy Advisor at [email protected] to speak with a Student Government-appointed student advocate, known as the Student Policy Advisor.

Speak to Director of Health and Wellbeing and/or JCU On-Call Doctor 
Students can contact the JCU Director of Health and Wellbeing and/or the JCU On-Call Doctor for further information about resources. Roman Clark can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]. Dr. Andrea Guerriero can be reached at any time at +39 320 4065709 or at [email protected]. 

JCU Residence Life Staff 
Students living in JCU housing can contact their Residence Assistant (RA) or Residence Director for support in the JCU residences and apartments. 

Law Enforcement 
Students who want to speak with Italian law enforcement may use the YouPol app to report a crime or gather information. Users of the YouPol app will be referred to the local police station. In Trastevere you can find law enforcement at the following locations: 

- The Trastevere Police Station is located at Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 64. Services available in English. Open 8am-8pm, Monday - Saturday. Phone: 06 583 9141. 
- The Trastevere Carabinieri (Military Police) station is located at Via Garibaldi, 43. Open 24/7. Phone: 06 5859 6700. 

Medical Emergencies
- Students are strongly encouraged to call the JCU Emergency Phone (+39 331 656 1907) in the event of an urgent need. Trained JCU staff can provide resources and guidance during a crisis situation, which may include accompanying the student to the hospital or police station for additional support.
- Call 112 for an ambulance or go to whatever public hospital is closest/most convenient
- San Camillo Hospital and the Sportello Donna Anti Violenza “(+39 06 58703216 /+39 327 360 3369). This hospital is set-up specifically to receive and process female victims of sexual violence and can connect students with legal council. Call to make an appointment or go directly to the Emergency Room of the San Camillo Hospital and ask for the Sportello Donna. Please see the JCU Student Handbook for more information.

Sex/Gender Discrimination, Harassment and Assault 

Sex/Gender Discrimination, Harassment, and Assault are Prohibited at JCU. John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender identity in its education programs and activities, in respect of U.S. law which prohibits discrimination based on sex in federally-funded educational programs. 

JCU is committed to preventing and responding to sex/gender discrimination and sexual violence in our community. To this end, JCU investigates and resolves any and all complaints of sex and gender discrimination, harassment, and violence within the university. 

The Director of Health and Wellbeing, Roman Clark, is responsible for responding to all internal formal complaints of sex/gender discrimination, harassment, and assault. He can be found at the Gianicolo Residence, Vicolo della Penitenza, 26, email at [email protected], tel.+39 0668191 345. 

Students who are the victim of any crime, including sex and gender based offenses, can reach out to either Roman Clark or Dean of Students Office for additional support and guidance. They can be reached at [email protected] or +39 0668191284. Please refer to the list of resources above for additional information. 

Confidentiality and Privacy 
When dealing with medical emergencies or situations that jeopardize student safety, students are guaranteed privacy but not confidentiality. This means that JCU will share sensitive information internally with staff designated and trained to intervene and address issues of violence, sexual assault, or other crisis issues. Fully confidential resources are listed above, such as contacting local public health and safety officials external to the university. JCU counselors will share information with staff only if they feel the student’s life is at imminent life-threatening risk. JCU will inform partner schools if their student is a victim or perpetrator of a crime or serious breach of the JCU code of conduct, as well as any emergency medical situations that require hospitalization.