Stalking and Harassment Policy
Stalking, cyber stalking, and harassment are criminal offenses under Maryland state law. Stalking, cyber stalking, and harassment are prohibited at Howard Community College (HCC). HCC is committed to providing a safe and secure learning and working environment that is free from stalking, harassment, and other threats. An individual who is found guilty of stalking is guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, is subject to penalty according to state law.
Howard Community College and the State of Maryland define stalking as “a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to place or knows, or reasonably should have known, the conduct would place another in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury, an assault in any degree, rape or sexual offense, false imprisonment, and/or death.”
Harassment is defined by the college as intentionally following another person in or about a public place or maliciously engaging in a course of conduct that alarms or seriously annoys the person with the intent to do so after receiving a reasonable warning or request to stop.
Stalking, cyber stalking, and harassment behaviors may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Repeated, unwanted/unsolicited contact that includes face-to-face contact, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, electronic mail, instant messages, written letters, or unwanted gifts;
- Repeated, unwanted/unsolicited communication on public and college community internet sites;
- Disturbing messages online;
- Persistent physical approaches or requests for dates, meetings, etc.;
- Threats that create fear for one’s life or safety, or fear for the safety of one’s family, friends, roommates, or others;
- Unwanted touching;
- Pursuing or following another person; repeatedly showing up or waiting outside a person’s home, classroom, place of employment, or car;
- Using surveillance or other types of observation, either in person or through the use of electronic devices or software to track or obtain private information;
- Harassing another person, either in person or through a third party;
- Use of threatening gestures;
- Trespassing or breaking into a person’s car or residence; or
- Vandalism destruction of a person’s personal property.
The scope of the HCC stalking and harassment policy applies to all students, employees, and visitors equally. Engaging in stalking (including cyber stalking) and harassment is a violation of HCC standards of conduct. The college reserves the right to administer additional sanctions to an offender if the incident affects the academic or work environment of the college. College disciplinary procedures are independent of any and all criminal procedures. A substantiated charge against an employee of the college will subject that employee to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. A substantiated charge against a student or employee of the college will subject that person to disciplinary action.