Prevention of unlawful harassment and sexual misconduct
January 27, 2014
By Mae Marsh, Director of Diversity and Equal Opportunity
UAF supports and promotes an environment where all community members are treated with common courtesy, compassion, dignity and respect. Every member of the university community is responsible for creating a positive environment and plays a role in preventing harassing behavior. Harassing behavior includes but is not limited to:
Unlawful harassment consists of verbal or physical conduct that degrades, and/or shows hostility or aversion to an individual because of his or her race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, genetic information, mental/physical disability, or that of one’s friends, relatives, or associates.
Sexual harassment can arise in several forms such as sexual misconduct, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where (a) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, career or educational opportunity, or; (b) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment or educational decisions affecting that individual, or; (c) such conduct has the purpose or necessary effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or creating a hostile, intimidating or offensive working or learning environment.
Retaliation is reprisal or retribution that occurs in connection to opposing, reporting, or participating in an investigation of discrimination or unlawful harassment. UAF strictly prohibits retaliation.
How to report harassment and/or sexual misconduct: If individuals have knowledge of sexual misconduct or believe they are being subjected to harassing behavior, they are encouraged to seek resolution assistance from faculty members, management officials, or one of the following resources before the conduct becomes severe or pervasive.
- Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity 907-474-7300
- Judicial Services 907-474-7317
- Human Resources 907-474-7700
- Residence Life Director 907-474-7317
- Health and Counseling 907-474-7317
- Campus Police Department 907-474-7721
Required response to reports:
When issues of harassment are raised, supervisors and/or faculty members must take affirmative measures to address the concerns. Management officials will initiate a prompt, thorough and impartial inquiry of all allegations. While conducting the inquiry, the confidentiality of harassment complaints will be protected to the greatest extent possible. The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity can provide guidance and assistance with inquiries. If management finds that harassing behavior has occurred, they will take immediate action to stop the harassing behavior and ensure further harassment does not occur. Individuals found to be engaging in discriminatory harassment will receive appropriate corrective action, including discipline or removal.
What if your report is ignored? If a student, staff or faculty member has reported harassment and appropriate corrective measures have not been taken, they may report the harassing conduct to the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. Within 72 hours of receipt of a complaint, the office will initiate an inquiry regarding your allegations.
Ana Richards, Title IX Coordinator, 474-7393, amrichards@alaska.edu.
Mauria Gerdeman, Complaints & Compliance, 474-6600, mbgerdeman@alaska.edu.
Responsibility of faculty and staff: Community members in positions of power must be especially diligent in their behavior. It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to behave in such a manner that their words or actions cannot reasonable be perceived as sexually coercive, abusive or exploitative. Faculty and supervisors in particular, in their relationship with students and subordinates, need to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and the possible compromise of their evaluative capacity.
Training: While not all acts of harassing behavior may be sufficiently severe or pervasive to trigger a violation of policy, all harassing behavior can negatively impact the organization and adversely affect our educational mission. It is essential that all community members have the knowledge and skills to identify, prevent and address discrimination. The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office presents anti-harassment classes and can provide classes tailored to your unit’s specific needs or situation. Contact the office at 474-6600 to arrange training.
For more information, see the University of Alaska Board of Regent’s Policy P04.02.020, P04.02.022 and UAF Policy R04.02.020 and R04.02.022.