/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook-local.json

/Institutions/Coker-University/json/2025-2026/Student-Handbook.json

Hate Speech and Hostile Acts towards Others

Coker University strives to be an environment that promotes inclusivity, diversity, and respect within a group that is dedicated to scholarship and community engagement. Those who join our circle of learning commit to a lifelong journey of intellectual, personal, and professional growth and service to one another.

A hostile environment may arise when unwelcome conduct or language interferes with a person's ability to participate/ benefit from an education program and/or activity; or creates an intimidating, threatening, demeaning, or offensive academic, campus, work, or living environment.

Excerpt from the Coker University Statement of Free Speech

“... We can disagree without insulting, offending, or hurting other people, but we will not remain silent in the face of intimidation, ridicule, or bigotry. Language that debases, demeans, ridicules, stereotypes, or belittles others is at odds with Coker’s educational objective and will not be tolerated. Therefore, it is necessary for members of the University to recognize and actively resist incidents of verbal harassment and intimidation, whether by voice, gesture, social media, phone, or text, taking place on our campus. ....”

Acts of Intolerance

1. An act of intolerance is defined as any conduct that adversely and\or unfairly targets an individual or group on the basis of one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics but not limited to, their actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, veteran status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

2. An act of intolerance can be targeted toward a specific person or group. The conduct must actually cause or reasonably be intended to cause intimidation, alienation, or other harm to individuals in the Coker University community based on actual or perceived characteristics. In determining if conduct rises to an Act of Intolerance, the University will consider the following factors as relevant in its analysis:

   1. Hate Speech, any language that demeans, denigrates, or causes distress to an individual or group of individuals based on, but not limited to actual or perceived age, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual identity, gender, gender identity, etc.

   2. Vandalism or defacement of personal or university property

   3. Threatening conduct (hanging nooses, erecting burning crosses, etc.)

   4. Display or use of epithets, imagery, or slurs;

   5. Culturally offensive gestures;

   6. Themed parties that encourage people to wear costumes or act in ways that reinforce demeaning stereotypes; or

   7. Digital, physical, verbal, or graphic threats or intimidation.

3. When an Act of Intolerance is targeted toward a specific person or group, it may rise to the level of discriminatory harassment as defined in the Student Handbook or Employee Handbook. It may also constitute a hate crime for the purposes of local, state, or federal law.

Coker University affirms zero tolerance for the aforementioned acts and reserves the right to react to incidents of intolerance by students in the following ways, but is not limited to:

• Community Service and anti-harassment training

• Probation

• Suspension

• Campus Ban

• Expulsion

Coker University reserves the right to implement any combination of the above sanctions in the event thata person is found responsible for violating Coker University’s Acts of Intolerance Policy. Sanctioning is at the discretion of the hearing officer(s) or hearing panel.