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Show Examining QieTssues 1 toy Jennifer Toomer Editor's note: Names and other details have been changed to protect the anonymity of all parties involved in the stories of sexual harassment related here. Unless stated, sources have not reported their experiences, nor have their allegations been formally or informally investigated. Kimberly, a University of Utah student, worried grade reflecting her numerous class absences. When she and her professor discussed the matter in his campus office, the first meeting seemed normal, enough. But in a subsequent meeting, Kimberly alleges, the professor told her, "I could smell your perfume lingering in my office for weeks." were so transparent," Kimberly said. "I "His come-on- s wasn't frightened by them.." Nevertheless, the professor's sexual advances continued, according to Kimberly. One day when he saw her in an setting, he approached her and said, "You haven't had a real education until you've fucked your professor." "I acted as if I were postponing instead of rejecting him. I felt in control, but felt more insecure about my position in the class," Kimberly said. "I stayed in the class, but I worried about my grade even more." Kimberly ended up with an A in the course. Although Kimberly. reported the incident to the U. Office of Equal OpportunityAffirmative Action, she regrets she didn't pursue the matter further. Kimberly 's is not an isolated incident. Sexual harassment is one of the most commonly reported forms of discriminaoff-camp- us tion at the U., according to the Office of Equal OpportunityAffirmative Action. The office is currently implementing an improved system for cataloging informa- tion and was unable to give an exact number of harassment cases reported during the last fiscal year, but they do handle 30-4- 0 discrimination cases annually, estimates Kaye d of this number are Colman, director of the office. sexual harassment. "It honest to goodness is a. problem," said Tom Loveridge, programmer analyst for the office. "I've seen people devastated by it." "Sexual harassment is the least black and white issue5 there is," Colman said. It is a sensitive issue that must be delicately yet fairly handled. Allegations may have severe One-thir- consequences for the accuser and the accused, their relationships private and professional and public opinion, she said. statute of limitations governs sexual harassment complaints and law suits. State law gives a victim 180 days after the offense to file a complaint, according to Loveridge. At the U., however, the statute of limitations is more strict WHAT IS SEXUAL HARASSMENT? U. have does not the written Astonishingly, policies and allows a person only 60 days in which to file a comwhich specifically address the issue. "The problem of sexuplaint or press charges. Nevertheless, this campus limitaal harassment has been folded into discrimination in genertion is often waived depending on the severity of the offense, Loveridge said. al," Loveridge said. Included in the new proposal is a section about consen-tua- l "We now need a policy to specifically handle sexual said is also who and gender-base- d harassment," Hannah, relationships. Although sexual relationships between a member of a subcommittee currently compiling a new superiors and subordinates are a violation of state nepotism laws, the proposal for the new U. policy will not outlaw policy. In file past the U. has used state and federal regulations. these relationships, as such laws are unenforceable, according to Hannah. Instead, the subcommittee proposes "a They are currently in the process of drafting and implerelationship cannot be used as a defense in sexual menting a new policy which defines sexual harassment as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, harassment cases," Hannah said. This means that although the state laws are difficult to enforce, parties are not and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature." immune just because a relationship was consentual. The new policy also defines direct sexual harassment "This way, people (in power) will exercise their responsias making unwanted and unwelcome comments or advancements. bility with great care," Hannah said. Also being proposed is a clause to protect professors Then there is also a sexual harassment through a hostile atmosphere. "Such conduct has the purpose or effect of from a hostile atmosphere when discussing sensitive issues in the classroom. The clause states: "free unreasonably interfering with an individ e and open discussion of issues relating to ual's employment or educational "Sexual harassment or creating an intimidating, hossexuality and gender in the classroom or tile or offensive environment for that is the least black and committee, when appropriate to subject individual's employment, education, livmatter, will be' presumed not to involve white issue there is, " a in sexual harassment even if it offends or or environment participation ing Kaye Colman said. embarrasses an individual unless other university activity." of a sexfactors are involved. Such factors include For instance, posters or pin-up- s ual nature, or an atmosphere where people conduct themtargeting the discussion to an individual or carrying out the selves in either an explicitly or implicitly sexual discussion in terms that are widely regarded as offensive and which are avoidable." manner jokes, lewdness may constitute a hostile atmo"We don't want people to make certain students uncomto sphere, according Loveridge. fortable due to their gender, but we want to protect the However, one isolated incident usually does not constitute sexual harassment. "It must be a prevailing behavior," right of faculty to discuss controversial issues when approPatricia Hannah, dean of humanities, said. "One comment priate," said Mcintosh, who is also a member of the proposis not enough to press charges, nor is a comment taken out al's subcommittee. The new policy is still in the proposal stages, and will of context." An offended party is also obligated to tell the said. be implemented for months, Loveridge said. not she that find "I offensive," offender, Sexual harassment most often occurs when one person If the comments or atmosphere persist following this verbal warning, it may constitute sexual harassment, Hannah has power or authority over another person, according to U. added. Or if the incident is more serious and includes policy. This could be between a supervisor and an employtouching or violence, once is enough to constitute sexual ee, a professor and a student, or a client and a staff member. see "focus" on page eight harassment, according to Loveridge. A con-sentu- perfor-manc.- al |
