Student Code of Conduct

Student Code of Conduct and Sexual Harassment Policy

All students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times while members of the Acting Studio Chicago community and agree to be bound by this Student Code of Conduct and Sexual Harassment Policy. Students who engage in any of the following conduct are subject to disciplinary proceedings, suspension, expulsion, referral for criminal prosecution and/or suit for civil damages:

1. Harassment, including sexual harassment, hazing, and any behaviors which intimidate, threaten, coerce, or endanger the safety of others, or which interfere with the safety of any member of the studio community or its guests.
2. Physical assault and/or physical abuse of any students, guests or staff of Acting Studio Chicago.
3.  Discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, or age, and behaviors which interfere with the rights of others to experience an environment free from such discrimination.
4. Violation of any federal, state, county, or municipal law, ordinance or regulation.
5. Theft or abuse of personal property of Acting Studio Chicago students, employees, or guests. This includes abuse, vandalism (including all forms of graffiti), or theft of Studio property.
   (This is not an exhaustive list of prohibited conduct, but merely guidelines as to the type and nature of conduct that is prohibited. Any conduct that the Studio Director, Class Instructors, or Office Staff determines could endanger the safety or security of members of the Acting Studio Chicago community, or is harmful to the Acting Studio Chicago environment, is also prohibited.)

All students agree to abide by this policy and to refrain from any such conduct. They also agree to cooperate in any investigation by Acting Studio Chicago of any such alleged conduct, or any unprofessional conduct of any kind, including submitting any requested written or oral statements and participating in any meetings or hearings regarding disciplinary actions contemplated under this Student Code. All students agree to be bound by the final determination of any disciplinary proceedings so conducted and the decision of the Executive Director of Acting Studio Chicago shall be deemed final, and not subject to appeal, including any decision made by the Executive Director regarding sanctions such as suspension or expulsion from Acting Studio Chicago.

Sexual Harassment is defined according to the Illinois Human Rights Act as:

Any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made, either explicitly or implicitly, a term or condition of an individual’s admission, participation or advancement at Acting Studio Chicago.
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for admission, participation or advancement decisions for such individual; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s classroom performance, participation or advancement or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive classroom environment.

The courts have determined that sexual harassment is a form of discrimination under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended in 1991 and is a violation of the Illinois Human Rights Act.