S E X U A L
H A R A S S M E N T
Definition of Sexual Harassment
(From the Sexual Harassment Policy, passed by the
Board of Governors, June 26, 1992)
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which may violate federal and state laws. The following description adapts the 1980 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines to the academic setting. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
1. Submission is made an express or implied term or condition of employment or status in a class, program, or activity;
2. Submission to or rejection of the behavior is used to make an employment or educational decision (such as hiring, promotion, or grading a course);
3. The conduct may unreasonably interfere with a person¹s work or educational performance or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for working or learning.
Both men and women can be sexually harassed. Sexual harassment can occur between equals, but most often occurs in situations when one person has power over another. The University¹s sexual harassment policy applies to all members of the University community: students, faculty, and staff, in both on- and off-campus settings when involved in University employment, classes, programs, or activities.
University Procedure for Sexual Harassment
If you believe that you have been the victim of sexual harassment, you
may use either the informal or formal procedures outlined below.
Informal
Procedures
1. You may seek a resolution of the matter through discussions
with the alleged offender. Before adopting this approach, however, you
may choose to seek advice from a staff member at the Counseling Center
on how best to confront an individual whose conduct you believe is
offensive.
2. You may also report the incident(s) to the alleged offender¹s immediate or general supervisor. The appropriate supervisor to contact in each of the following cases is as follows:
| Alleged Offender | Appropriate Contact |
| Faculty Member | Dean or Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs |
| Staff Member | Immediate supervisor or Human Resources Office |
| Student | Judicial Officer, Hall Director, or Residence Life Directors |
Formal
Procedures
If you decide to file a formal complaint, it will be resolved
according to established University procedures. The procedures depend on
the status of the person against whom the complaint is being filed, not
the status of the person(s) filing the complaint.
Faculty Member
A formal complaint filed against a faculty member shall be directed to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.Staff Member
A formal complaint filed against a staff member (including administrators) shall be directed to the Human Resources Office.Student
A formal complaint against a student shall be directed to the Dean of Student Affairs and handled in accordance with procedures outlined in the Student Conduct Code.Student Employee
Graduate assistants, whether teaching or non-teaching, will be considered faculty for the purpose of these procedures. All other student employees (undergraduate and graduate) will be considered students for the purpose of these procedures.
University Statement on Sexual Harassment
Truman State University is committed to the advancement of knowledge,
to freedom of thought and inquiry, and to the personal, social, and
intellectual development of its students. The University has a
professional and ethical responsibility to provide a healthy living,
learning, and working environment and a climate of academic freedom for
all its members- students, faculty and staff. To foster educational
development and promote true academic freedom, the university requires
an environment in which no person is intimidated, exploited, or coerced.
These goals cannot be attained where sexual harassment exists. The
University¹s Sexual Harassment policies and procedures are designed to
model behavior that supports personal and social development in an
environment that fosters academic performance and intellectual growth.
They ensure the academic freedom of everyone while protecting the rights
of all.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
- Sam needs help with a literature assignment. He is wary of talking to his professor because the one time Sam asked for help before, the professor said, "I don¹t have any office hours free. The only time I have available is at night. Why don¹t you come over to my apartment?"
- Jane is one of three women in her mathematics class. The male professor frequently says things like, "Women just can't do math," and he tells jokes about women in sexual situations.
- Brad is a legislative intern in the state capital. His supervisor, a respected legislator, has told him that he can guarantee himself a good evaluation by being "friendly."
- Pete, who is in Amanda¹s history class, has asked her out several times. She has said no. He sits right next to her each class period, talks about her attractive body, and "accidentally" bumps up against her all the time.