Affirmative Action & Nondiscrimination Policy

The Seattle Film Institute, as an educational institution values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, SFI prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability or any other factor prohibited by law.

Further, SFI will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with SFI’s mission. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in SFI programs and activities. This is a commitment made by SFI and is in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Sexual and Other Unlawful Harrassment

The Seattle Film Institute is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination and unlawful harassment.

Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Harassment can take many forms, and can include slurs, comments, jokes, innuendoes, unwelcome compliments, pictures, cartoons, pranks and/or other verbal or physical conduct which create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment occurs when the types of verbal and physical conduct described above are sexual in nature or directed at a person because of his/her gender. The sexual harassment prohibited by this policy includes “same sex” sexual harassment, meaning harassment of a man by a man or a woman by a woman. Anyone reasonably believed by the Seattle Film Institute to be engaging in sexual or other unlawful harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination from the Institute.

In the educational setting within SFI, there exists latitude for a faculty member’s professional judgment in determining the appropriate content and presentation of academic material. Academic curriculum and pedagogical goals that serve legitimate and reasonable educational purposes do not, in and of themselves, constitute sexual harassment or other unlawful discrimination. Those participating in the educational setting bear a responsibility to balance their professional academic responsibilities and academic freedoms with a consideration of the reasonable sensitivities of other participants.

Nothing contained in this policy shall be construed to limit the legitimate and reasonable academic responsibilities and academic freedoms of SFI’s professional educators.