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University faculty member Bethany Moreton (center) raises her hand to speak about issues surrounding the University's Non-Discriminatory and Anti-Harassment policy during the University Council meeting Thursday. Faculty members Janet Frick (left) and Patricia Richards look on. Frick led a petition campaign this week calling for reforms to the policy. Richards also spoke during the meeting.

Adams addresses 'silence' concerns (with video)

Faculty voice harassment policy opinions

By: BRIAN MINK

Posted: 2/8/08

University President Michael Adams spoke Thursday about the administration's handling of sexual harassment on campus, expressed a need to prevent future incidents and said he will listen to suggestions from faculty.

He promised to form a committee to explore the possibility of creating an ombudsman office to handle future complaints.

"One case like this is one case too many," Adams told the University Council at its monthly meeting. The University should be "more vigilant in promulgating and adjudicating the current policy," he said.

Adams addressed concerns about his silence on sexual harassment on campus. The issue was brought to the forefront after a series of articles was published by The Red & Black detailing College of Education professor William Bender's violation of the University anti-harassment policy.

"You have not, and you will not, see me comment in print in criticism of a particular personnel entity," Adams said. "Silence ought not be interpreted as a lack of concern or approval of that conduct."

Adams said commenting prematurely could interfere with an employee's due process.

In a news conference after the meeting, Adams said faculty who resign before being told they are in violation of University policies make the process "quicker and more advantageous."

"The tenure revocation process is a long, drawn-out process that's difficult for everyone involved," he said. "The more quickly we can get (the person guilty of sexual harassment) away from the community, the better."

While Adams said he has the power to revoke tenure, he said doing so would be met by resistance from the faculty.

Janet Frick, associate professor of psychology, started an online petition last week calling for reforms in handling of sexual harassment allegations.

By Thursday afternoon the petition contained 1,029 signatures and seven pages of comments.

Adams said he read the petition and all of the comments.

Members of the council were given the opportunity to speak after Adams' comments. Faculty responses were impassioned and greeted with applause.

Members of the faculty expressed concerns of a conflict of interest in the University's Office of Legal Affairs investigating sexual harassment allegations. Professors recommended creating an office to handle reports.

Adams said he would consider the proposal if it were brought before the University Council.

One faculty member said women are not represented in the University's senior administration and this deficit creates "a culture of hostility on campus."

Adams said the University is working to become more diverse and said he will research a women's center.

Adams said sexual harassment cases cannot be acted upon if victims don't file reports. He said the University protects students from retaliation.

"To my knowledge, we have not had retaliation," he said.

The University has harassment education programs, Adams said, but those programs are poorly attended by students.