Spring Break
University adapts to better handle sexual harassment issues
BEST NEWS SERIES
KRISTEN COULTER
Issue date: 12/10/08 Section: 2008 Year In Review
Throughout 2008, the way the University handled sexual harassment complaints changed dramatically.
In January, The Red & Black reported College of Education Professor William Bender was allowed to resign after being found guilty of the University's harassment policy. He had been warned about inappropriate behavior toward students in the late 1980s and early 1990s but wasn't found in violation of the policy until September 2007.
As the spring semester progressed, The Red & Black reported on three other professors who were found in violation of the University's harassment policy.
University administrators responded to these reports, and on March 21, President Michael Adams announced in an e-mail to students, faculty and staff the Office of Legal Affairs would no longer handle harassment complaints.
Instead, those with problems could visit the Equal Opportunity Office, located in Peabody Hall on North Campus and directed by Steve Shi.
In the e-mail, Adams also announced the University would name three omsbudspersons to be consultants for students, faculty and staff who feel they are being sexually harassed.
In September, the University named Shay Little, Kathryn Chetney and Anne Dupre as the omsbudspersons. The three women also work in other areas in the University, and they typically meet with students in their offices outside of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Shi said.
By December, the women have been trained and are working with students, faculty and staff, Shi said in a telephone interview Monday. Shi described the transition as "a work in progress."
The omsbudspersons were trained by Beth Bailey, the associate director of Legal Affairs, and they attended the University's seminar on the harassment policy.
Chetney, the representative for staff members, also attended the International Ombudsman Association's "Ombudsman 101" training.
Shi, who characterized himself as the "coordinator" for the omsbudspersons, said he arranges for the representatives' training.
Little, the omsbudsperson who works with students, said Tuesday in a telephone interview her work has been "rewarding."
Though she has handled only two harassment complaints, Little said she works with students who are seeking advice on problems, including open records and assistantships for graduate studies.
Little said she wants students to see her as a resource and said she will accept invitations to speak with any student group.
"We're here as resources for students, faculty and staff," Little said. "Students are welcome to call, come by or send me an e-mail at any time."
The representatives and Shi are leading the University's two-year pilot program to see if omsbudspersons assist in handling sexual harassment cases.
"We are going to be trying to get a sense of the role of the omsbudspersons and get feedback," Shi said. "We're all sort of waiting to see how it will all play out."
In January, The Red & Black reported College of Education Professor William Bender was allowed to resign after being found guilty of the University's harassment policy. He had been warned about inappropriate behavior toward students in the late 1980s and early 1990s but wasn't found in violation of the policy until September 2007.
As the spring semester progressed, The Red & Black reported on three other professors who were found in violation of the University's harassment policy.
University administrators responded to these reports, and on March 21, President Michael Adams announced in an e-mail to students, faculty and staff the Office of Legal Affairs would no longer handle harassment complaints.
Instead, those with problems could visit the Equal Opportunity Office, located in Peabody Hall on North Campus and directed by Steve Shi.
In the e-mail, Adams also announced the University would name three omsbudspersons to be consultants for students, faculty and staff who feel they are being sexually harassed.
In September, the University named Shay Little, Kathryn Chetney and Anne Dupre as the omsbudspersons. The three women also work in other areas in the University, and they typically meet with students in their offices outside of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Shi said.
By December, the women have been trained and are working with students, faculty and staff, Shi said in a telephone interview Monday. Shi described the transition as "a work in progress."
The omsbudspersons were trained by Beth Bailey, the associate director of Legal Affairs, and they attended the University's seminar on the harassment policy.
Chetney, the representative for staff members, also attended the International Ombudsman Association's "Ombudsman 101" training.
Shi, who characterized himself as the "coordinator" for the omsbudspersons, said he arranges for the representatives' training.
Little, the omsbudsperson who works with students, said Tuesday in a telephone interview her work has been "rewarding."
Though she has handled only two harassment complaints, Little said she works with students who are seeking advice on problems, including open records and assistantships for graduate studies.
Little said she wants students to see her as a resource and said she will accept invitations to speak with any student group.
"We're here as resources for students, faculty and staff," Little said. "Students are welcome to call, come by or send me an e-mail at any time."
The representatives and Shi are leading the University's two-year pilot program to see if omsbudspersons assist in handling sexual harassment cases.
"We are going to be trying to get a sense of the role of the omsbudspersons and get feedback," Shi said. "We're all sort of waiting to see how it will all play out."
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