NOTE: If any of the following issues occur and are brought to the attention of The Comedy Project management team, they will involve a group of 2 TCPTCP managers to ensure accountability.
| Manager: Kristin@thecomedyproject.com|| Owner: Joe@thecomedyproject.com| Owner: Ben@thecomedyproject.com
Civility
Improv and Comedy Theater are artistic pursuits in which the boundaries of what is deemed socially appropriate and/or politically correct are often blurred and subject to interpretation. Because this is a learning environment, as an institution it is our responsibility to do our best to create classrooms where our community feels respected and members are treated with dignity. All students have the opportunity to express themselves and are invited to creatively explore content- however content dealing with race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc. should be treated in an intelligent manner and not in the spirit of hurtfulness or mockery (punching down). Some topics and behaviors are only appropriate for ensembles that practice together regularly and have explicitly agreed to them.
Students should approach their class work with an open mind, and take into account the diversity of viewpoints, beliefs and backgrounds that make the programs at TCPTCP a rich learning experience. To maintain a healthy environment, all students have the right to set boundaries regarding physical contact and subject content that might trigger a negative emotional response. All students have the right to step out or excuse themselves from any class or exercise that makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable. All students have the right to inform their teacher before, during, or after class if there are certain physical or emotional conditions that might make participating in certain activities difficult or challenging.
Anti-Harassment Policy
Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is strictly prohibited. TCPTCP will not tolerate harassment by anyone, including instructors, staff, students, visitors, vendors, contractors and third parties.
Harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is so severe or pervasive that it unreasonably interferes with an individual’s participation in TCPTCP programs, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment. Examples of prohibited harassment include, but are not limited to epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; denigrating jokes directed at an individual based on his or her personal characteristics, which do not serve any class-related function and/or fall outside the bounds of what is acceptable in the classroom, as set forth in TCPTCP’s Civility policy.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited. Sexual harassment encompasses a range of conduct from sexual assault (which is a criminal act) to conduct such as unwanted touching or persistent unwelcome comments, sexual advances, propositions and/or requests for sexual favors, depending on the specific circumstances and context in which the conduct occurs. For example, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually-directed remarks or behavior constitute sexual harassment when (i) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly, or implicitly, a basis for an academic decision or professional advancement, or a term or condition of either; or (ii) such conduct is directed against an individual despite its rejection. On the other hand, sexual innuendo or suggestive comments, gestures or jokes made in the course of a class exercise or performance may not be considered impermissible sexual harassment, if they serve an educational and/or artistic purpose. They may, but they may not.
Please note that due to the unique nature of the improv theater/comedy setting, a person’s subjective belief that behavior is offensive, intimidating or hostile does not necessarily render that behavior as harassment under this policy. Rather, the behavior must be objectively unreasonable in light of the surrounding circumstances and context. Such expression will not constitute impermissible harassment unless (in addition to satisfying the above definitions) it is targeted at a specific person or persons, is abusive and/or serves no educational purpose.
Complaint Procedure
Any student who experiences or witnesses harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, whether from a fellow student or a faculty member, should discuss the problem with TCPTCP management and, if desired, request that TCPTCP management meets informally with the person complained about. No one at TCPTCP – whether a faculty member or a student – may reprimand, retaliate or discriminate against an individual for raising a concern, making a complaint and/or participating in an investigation under this policy. Any individual who believes that he or she has been retaliated against in any manner should report the matter to TCPTCP management.
All concerns and complaints will be treated with confidentiality to the extent practicable without compromising the investigation and/or resolution of the matter, and will be investigated thoroughly and promptly. Where possible, TCPTCP will attempt to resolve the issue informally (for example, by speaking to the alleged harasser and confirming the behavior will stop and/or counseling the parties). However, this does not preclude more formal corrective, disciplinary action.
Consensual Relationships Between Faculty and Students
It is against TCPTCP policy for students and instructors to enter and/or engage in romantic and/or sexual relationships with one another while the instructor is teaching the student in a class and/or supervising the student’s work at TCPTCP. Consensual romantic and/or sexual relationships between instructors and TCPTCP students not enrolled in a class the instructor is teaching, while not forbidden, generally are considered unwise and inappropriate. Please note that even where both parties have consented at the outset to a romantic and/or sexual involvement, such consent does not preclude a subsequent charge of sexual harassment against the instructor.
Sexual Assault Policy
Sexual assault is a criminal act that additionally violates the standards of our community and is unacceptable at The Comedy Project. The Comedy Project’s Sexual Assault policy applies to students, instructors, staff, and visitors, as well as vendors, contractors and third parties.
Sexual assault is defined as:
· Any intentional or knowing touching or fondling by an individual, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitals, breasts, thighs, or buttocks of the victim without the consent of the victim;
· Touching or fondling of an individual by the victim when the victim is forced to do so against his or her will; or
· Any nonconsensual acts involving any sexual penetration.
Use of alcohol or drugs may impair an individual’s capacity to consent freely and may render an individual incapable of giving consent.
Reporting Procedure
Any student who believes he or she has been sexually assaulted, whether by a fellow student, faculty member or visitor, should report the incident to The Comedy Project management. They are also encouraged to report the incident to the police and seek medical care as soon as possible. No one at The Comedy Project – whether a faculty member or a student – may reprimand, retaliate or discriminate against an individual for raising a concern, making a complaint and/or participating in an investigation under this policy. Any individual who believes that he or she has been retaliated against in any manner should report the matter to The Comedy Project management.
All concerns and complaints will be treated with confidentiality to the extent practicable without compromising the investigation and/or resolution of the matter, and will be investigated thoroughly and promptly. Depending on the severity of the incident and the individuals involved, The Comedy Project may pursue the matter through internal disciplinary procedures without the cooperation of the victim. Under such circumstances, The Comedy Project will inform the victim of its decision to proceed in this manner.
Violence
The Comedy Project maintains a zero tolerance policy for violence. Acts or threats of physical violence which involve or affect The Comedy Project faculty, students and staff or which occur on The Comedy Project property, will not be tolerated. Examples of prohibited threats or acts of violence include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Hitting or shoving an individual
· Physically injuring another individual
· Threatening an individual or his/her family, friends, or property with harm, or otherwise engaging in behavior that creates a reasonable fear of injury in another person
· Intentional destruction or threatening to destruct The Comedy Project
· Making/sending harassing or threatening phone calls, text messages, and emails
· Harassing surveillance or stalking
· Unauthorized possession or use of firearms or weapons
Every student is encouraged to report incidents of threats or acts of physical violence of which he/she is aware. The report should be made to The Comedy Project management. Please note that this policy does not apply to fictitious “threats” or simulated “acts” of violence made in the course of your work at the The Comedy Project.
Weapons
The Comedy Project prohibits all persons who enter The Comedy Project property from carrying a handgun, firearm, knife, explosive, or other prohibited weapon of any kind regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry the weapon or not.
The only exception to this policy will be police officers, security guards or other persons who have been given written consent by The Comedy Project and/or are permitted by law to carry a weapon on the property.
Violation of this policy is grounds for discipline, including immediate dismissal.
Any individual licensed to carry a concealed firearm may store their firearms in a locked vehicle in the parking lot of the property, as long as the weapon is kept in a locked container out of plain view.