|
> Human Resources/Affirmative Action Office
Sexual Harassment and Intimidation
"As President of Montana State University, I am committed to providing a safe environment for students and employees. Sexual harassment and/or intimidation will not be tolerated. It can be devastating to individuals and directly compromises our educational mission. Please report any incident to the University compliance officer immediately." — President Geoff Gamble
|
COMMMITMENT
Montana State University seeks to create a working environment for all employees and a learning environment for all students that supports and rewards their career and academic goals on the basis of ability and work performance, regardless of sex. Sexual harassment and/or sexual intimidation are forms of discrimination prohibited by law and University policy. Sexual harassment or intimidation of employees or students is unacceptable to the University and is prohibited.
Disciplinary and/or corrective action will be taken when instances of sexual harassment or intimidation are identified and confirmed. Supervisors who knowing condone, fail to report, or fail to take action to remediate incidents of harassment or intimidation may themselves be subject to discipline.
Further, materials such as calendars, posters, post cards, photography and cartoons which contain sexually explicit images or language can create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment and may subject persons of either sex to humiliation, embarrassment or discomfort because of their gender. Such materials are inappropriate and should be removed from the workplace.
What To Do:
Harassment or intimidation, you can:
- Take Individual Action,
- Seek Informal Assistance,
- File a Formal Complaint, as discussed below:
INDIVIDUAL ACTION:
Never ignore harassment or intimidation, it is likely to continue and increase if you ignore it. Instead, speak up immediately and clearly state that you are offended by the behavior and want it to stop. Never make excuses for your feelings.
Document all incidents including dates, times, places, witnesses and descriptions of events.
Write a Letter to the offender if the behavior continues or if talking to the offender makes you uncomfortable or has been unsuccessful. The letter should contain four parts:
1. A specific and detailed description of the offending behavior.
2. A description of how the offending behavior has affected you.
3. A statement that you consider the behavior to be sexual harassment.
4. A statement that you want the behavior to stop and that, if it doesn't, you will report it officially.
INFORMAL ASSISTANCE
If you are uncomfortable taking direct action or if you have been unsuccessful in resolving the matter yourself, discuss your complaint with your academic advisor or appropriate dean, department head, director or supervisor and attempt, if feasible, to resolve the complaint by mutual consent.
If you feel uncomfortable discussing your complaint with administrative or supervisory staff, discuss it with any of the following:
Residence Hall Staff
Office of Student Affairs
Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
ASMSU Legal Services
Women’s Center
VOICE Center
Personnel and Payroll Services
Human Resources/Affirmative Action
FORMAL COMPLAINT
You may file a formal complaint by contacting the Affirmative Action Office. Grievance procedures will be discussed with you, and you may request that your complaint be formally investigated. Every reasonable effort will be made to maintain confidentiality and to protect the rights of both you and the alleged offender.
You will be protected from retaliation resulting from filing a complaint. Tell the Human Resources/Affirmative Action Office if you have any concerns in this regard.
Harassment is an expression of hostility and an exercise in power.
You do not have to put up with it or pretend it's a joke.
|
Complete MSU-Bozeman, Non-Discrimination Policies and Procedures are available in hard copy from Human Resources /Affirmative Action, 110 Hamilton Hall, MSU-Bozeman, Bozeman, MT 59717-2430, (406)994-2402 or on the Web at: http://www2.montana.edu/policy/affirmative_action/aa200.html.
Harassment based on race, color, national origin, sexual preference, marital status, age, religion, creed or political belief, mental or physical handicap or disability, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran also occurs and is prohibited by MSU's Non-discrimination policy. Such incidents of harassment should be reported to the Compliance Officer identified below:
The University's Compliance Officer to whom complaints of discrimination, including harassment, should be reported is:
Marj Brown
110 Hamilton Hall
PO Box 172430
Bozeman, MT 59717-2430
(406)994-2402
Fax (406)994-7999
e-mail: marjb@montana.edu
|
