Panel Discusses Sexual Bias

Ellen Sandler

Cavalier Daily

Cavalier Daily

1988-03-09

Panel Discusses Sexual Bias
BY ELLEN SANDLER
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer
"Academic sexual harassment is the use of authority to emphasize the sexuality or sexual identity of a student in a manner which prevents or impairs that student’s full enjoyment of educational benefits, climate or opportunities.”
This definition was created by the National Advisory Council on Women's Educational Programs,
A panel of University graduate students and faculty members which agreed upon the definition met in Ruffner Auditorium yesterday to discuss sexual bias.
An idea stressed as key to understanding the given definition is that sexual harassment affects not only the victim’s relationship with the perpetrator, but also affects all aspects of the victim’s life.
The main purpose of the discussion was to keep the issue of sexual harassment out in the open.
“We need to continue to talk, whether we agree or disagree. Communication is crucial,” Assoc. Dean of Students Sybil Todd said.
Todd served as moderator of the panel.
One of the problems facing the University in this area is educating the students, faculty and staff at every level, according to Assoc Education School Prof. Robert Covert.
The panel emphasized the point that sexual harassment can occur in many different forms, both explicitly and implicitly.
“In many ways, sexual harassment is not just a woman’s problem – it’s a problem concerning both sexes,” Todd said.
Another problem is directing the faculty and staff to look specifically for problems in the area of sexual bias.
“We have to take it upon ourselves to sensitize the TAs and professors to these kinds of problems,” Covert said.
“This should be an important part of every [training] program.”
A possible solution is to require new faculty members and first-year students to attend individual seminars which concentrate on issues such as sexual harassment, panelist Ingrid Grieger said.
Grieger is a counselor in the University Counseling Center.
“This University has a lot of resources, and if it’s committed to educating, it should also be committed to making all the students at least exposed to these issues,” Grieger said.
Todd instructed students who feel they have been victims of academic sexual harassment to follow specific procedures mentioned in both “The Undergraduate Record” and “The Graduate Record” under academic grievance procedures.