AIRAN SCRUBY
News Editor
Sexual harassment is a growing problem on college campuses nationwide, according to a report released Tuesday.
“Drawing the Line,” published by the American Association of University Women, reported statistics about sexual harassment of students, as well as information on what students believe would create a more comfortable, harassment-free environment.
Many of the suggestions listed as part of the published report have already been carried out at Pepperdine.
The report found that 62 percent of college students, either male or female, claim to have been victims of some form of sexual harassment. While at college, 32 percent of college students had been subjected to harassment.
More than half of students surveyed said they would like to have a Web-based, confidential method to report sexual harassment, and 47 percent say they would like to have a university staff member designated to handle sexual harassment claims.
While Pepperdine does not accept sexual harassment complaints online, the university does keep all grievances against the university confidential.
Associate Dean of Seaver College Dr. Rick Marrs processes all student complaints against faculty or staff, including sexual harassment.
“Students should be aware that there is a grievance process,” Marrs said. “We really do take any kind of grievance or complaint very seriously.”
According to the Student Handbook, all involved parties will be allowed to present their stories, and the grievance officer, at his discretion, may lead an investigation.
It is at the discretion of the grievance officer whether the complaint will be upheld and if so, whether action will be taken against the accused faculty or staff member.
The university keeps all processed grievances confidential.
“If a student wishes to go public, they can do that, but we maintain confidentiality,” Marrs said. “We don’t comment on personnel matters.”
Most students reported that they had kept the matter private, according to the survey administered by the AAUW.
Once a decision is reached about a grievance, the student who filed the complaint will be notified, Marrs said. According to the Student Handbook, this process takes a maximum of 21 days, unless the grievance officer determines that extenuating circumstances that more time for deliberation necessary.
Pepperdine also has a faculty and staff training program on sexual harassment that is mandatory in order to be employed at the university. Edna Powell, director of Equal Opportunity on campus, said that all professors, adjunct professors, and staff are “mandated and required” to complete the training, which consists of a two-hour, online course followed by a test on the material covered.
Powell said not completing the training could result in holding contracts and raises if necessary.
Marrs said policy regarding the training is that faculty members and staff may not begin work with the university until the online material has been completed. When meeting with a student informally, Marrs said he tries to inform them about the process of filing a complaint, and refrains from advising them about whether they ought to officially state their complaint to the university.
“Whatever they decide, the university will support them,” Marrs said.
01-26-2006