Spring Break
Legal Affairs head evaluates harassment
Univ. to begin harassment training
MELISSA WEINMAN
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
|
Shewmaker, executive director for the Office of Legal Affairs, lectured to the class about his role in the recent sexual harassment cases at the University.
Shewmaker said his job is to protect the entire Univ-ersity - faculty, staff and students.
Shewmaker explained the legal terms of harassment and discussed how sexual harassment has been handled at the University and what changes are being made.
He said sexual harassment must be pervasive, severe, unwanted and persistent in the legal world.
"I can offend you, but it's not illegal," he said. The right to free speech "trumps" the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.
The case of reinstated English professor Charles Doyle was brought up as an example of how some speech can be protected in a classroom setting.
Doyle reportedly used inappropriate language in his lectures to explain the works of Shakespeare as they could be interpreted in the modern world. Shewmaker said he was offended by the language Doyle used and wouldn't repeat.
"He's an absent-minded professor," Shewmaker said, explaining that Doyle didn't try to seduce students or bribe them with grades.
Doyle returned to the classroom last week after taking administrative leave due to a sexual harassment investigation.
The University will start employee training to curb sexual harassment.
"I'm a firm believer education overcomes lots of things," Shewmaker said. "We haven't been aggressive enough."
He said senior administrators will undergo all-day training May 9 and other employees will be trained later.
When asked about the nature of the most common sexual harassment complaints he receives, Shewmaker said he deals with a lot of e-mails from "professors who still think they're attractive to 18 to 22 year olds."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 8
thanks
posted 4/07/08 @ 10:41 AM EST
I appreciate a man educating other men and women that a man can be a feminist. It also sounds like the definition of sexual (or any) harrassment needs to be changed - that might be part of the problem. (Continued…)
D for Doil
posted 4/07/08 @ 12:17 PM EST
Let's see if I have this right about what we've learned in the case concerning Charlie Doyle, so-called associate professor. You mean statements to students such as "Oh your flowing golden hair" and "your the g-string" blah blah blah is protected speech? How absurd! I must have missed the memo, so NOTE TO SELF: objectify students left and right in emails whenever the fancy strikes me, because the self-proclaimed feminist Shewmaker says so. (Continued…)
D for Doil
posted 4/07/08 @ 4:12 PM EST
Sure, that'd be great in fact if he were re-punished. He is a serial offender (see docs), and there have been no escalating charges. Oh, I'm wrong. Video taping his classes! Whoop dee do. (Continued…)
Post Your Resume
posted 4/08/08 @ 1:05 PM EST
Dear Steve,
It's great that you are a feminist, but U.GA. doesn't need helpers like you. You see, department heads know what's wrong, and they should be the ones to address these issues. (Continued…)
Feminist Dawg
posted 4/15/08 @ 3:35 PM EST
Dear BRJ,
But you know, it is great to know that the only feminist on campus willing to come out is a man.
Go Dogs, Sic 'em (in a non-gendered way, of course)
Post a Comment