SHEWMAKER

Legal Affairs head evaluates harassment

Univ. to begin harassment training

By: MELISSA WEINMAN

Posted: 4/7/08

"I am a feminist," Stephen Shewmaker said as he spoke before a psychology of women class Thursday.

Shewmaker, executive director for the Office of Legal Affairs, lectured to the class about his role in the recent sexual harassment cases at the University.

Shewmaker said his job is to protect the entire Univ-ersity - faculty, staff and students.

Shewmaker explained the legal terms of harassment and discussed how sexual harassment has been handled at the University and what changes are being made.

He said sexual harassment must be pervasive, severe, unwanted and persistent in the legal world.

"I can offend you, but it's not illegal," he said. The right to free speech "trumps" the Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.

The case of reinstated English professor Charles Doyle was brought up as an example of how some speech can be protected in a classroom setting.

Doyle reportedly used inappropriate language in his lectures to explain the works of Shakespeare as they could be interpreted in the modern world. Shewmaker said he was offended by the language Doyle used and wouldn't repeat.

"He's an absent-minded professor," Shewmaker said, explaining that Doyle didn't try to seduce students or bribe them with grades.

Doyle returned to the classroom last week after taking administrative leave due to a sexual harassment investigation.

The University will start employee training to curb sexual harassment.

"I'm a firm believer education overcomes lots of things," Shewmaker said. "We haven't been aggressive enough."

He said senior administrators will undergo all-day training May 9 and other employees will be trained later.

When asked about the nature of the most common sexual harassment complaints he receives, Shewmaker said he deals with a lot of e-mails from "professors who still think they're attractive to 18 to 22 year olds."