Policies
Nondiscrimination and harassment
This policy states that eLadder University admits, teaches and employs without discrimination, what harassment means in a university with no campus, and how a complaint is handled.
Draft in progress
We are finalising this policy.
Read it and tell us what to sharpen. Where a figure is still being set, we name the decision rather than publish a number we would have to change.
The commitment
eLadder admits students, appoints staff and treats both without regard to race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic unrelated to a person's ability to study or to do the job.
This applies to admission, assessment, progression, award, employment and every service the university provides.
What this means at an online university in particular
Our students are in many countries, and the law on several of these characteristics differs sharply between them. This policy states what eLadder requires of its own community, everywhere. It is not a summary of any one country's law, and it is not reduced to the least protective law among the countries our students live in.
Where a local law obliges the university to do something, it will say so plainly rather than quietly narrow this policy.
Harassment
It is harassment wherever it happens in the course of study or work here. A discussion forum, a group chat and a video call are not less real than a corridor, and the fact that a university has no campus does not put its channels outside this policy.
- Conduct related to any characteristic above that has the purpose or effect of humiliating, intimidating or degrading a person, or of making their study or work environment hostile.
- Sexual harassment, including unwanted advances and unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether in a live session, a discussion board, a private message or any other channel.
- Conduct directed at someone because they raised a concern, or supported someone who did.
Reporting
A student or member of staff may report discrimination or harassment under the grievance and complaints policy. Anyone the report is about will not be the person handling it.
You may report conduct you witnessed rather than experienced.
Being finalised in this section
- The email address reports are sent to, and the role responsible for receiving them
- Whether eLadder designates a specific officer for this, as US institutions commonly do, and who
Retaliation
No one is disadvantaged for reporting in good faith, or for taking part in an investigation. Retaliation is itself a breach of this policy and of the student code of conduct.
Outcomes
Findings are made on the balance of evidence by someone not involved, and both the person who reported and the person reported about are told the outcome in writing. Outcomes range from a formal warning to dismissal from the university or from employment.