Stalking and Harassment
Stalking, cyber stalking, and harassment are criminal offenses under Maryland state law and 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.
Stalking means the intentional, repetitive or menacing pursuit,
following, harassment, or other interference with the peace or safety of
another person of that of his or her immediate family members;
including cyber-stalking. The State of Maryland defines 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 means intentionally following another person in or about a public place without their consent 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 online messages;
- 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;
- Using threatening gestures;
- Trespassing or breaking into a person’s vehicle or residence; or
- Vandalism or destruction of a person’s personal property.
This applies to all students, employees, and visitors equally. 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 a student or employee of the college will subject that person to disciplinary action.