November 15, 2005

Open Letter to the University Community on Sexual Harassment

From Provost and Executive Vice President Robert C. Bates

Our influential work as educators and mentors is based on productive relationships between professors and students.  Sexual harassment of a student by a professor severely damages that relationship and demeans our highest academic values.

We have set for ourselves a goal of creating an environment of trust and respect among all members of the University community. Sexual harassment destroys a trusting environment, putting in its place fear and anxiety.

So that there can be no misunderstanding, I am writing to all of you as Provost and Executive Vice President to communicate in the strongest terms possible that this institution will not tolerate discrimination of any kind, including sexual harassment.  This policy applies to students, staff and faculty of WSU.

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination on the basis of gender, and it is legally and morally wrong.  Legally, it is not limited to one gender or one sexual orientation.  It creates an unprofessional environment in which to educate students and in which to perform the work of the University.

None of us can tolerate harassment, nor can we ignore it.  I want to remind all administrators that they are responsible for ensuring that their employees know the definition of sexual harassment and our policy against it.  Training opportunities are available through WSU's Center for Human Rights (CHR).  I also want to remind administrators that all complaints about sexual harassment must be reported to CHR, even if those complaints are resolved informally.

At the same time, I want to ask all victims of sexual harassment, and all members of the University community who know of such incidents, to report them to CHR. The University cannot take appropriate action against sexual harassment unless the incident has been reported.  I understand that reporting of harassment may cause concern.  At the very least, call the Center for Human Rights and seek a consultation.  Please know that WSU will not tolerate retaliation for cooperation in reporting incidents of harassment.

WSU will take corrective and disciplinary action whenever incidents of harassment are reported and proven.  The action taken will be of a nature to deter future offenses.  In some cases, we may commence termination proceedings, even for tenured faculty.  In other cases, faculty will be reprimanded and required to attend trainings as a means to prevent future offenses.

Additionally, the results of the harassment investigations will be communicated to victims.  That includes sharing not only the CHR report, but also reporting the steps actually taken by the Provost, Dean or other supervisor in response to the report's recommendations.  Such actions may include the following:  warnings, letters of reprimand or censure, the denial of professional leave requests, salary reductions, suspension, and termination.  For faculty, all sanctions will be carried out following the processes described in the Faculty Manual.

We will be sharing the quarterly reports from the Center for Human Rights with the campus community so that our employees and students can see that we are fulfilling our pledge to address sexual harassment.

I will lead a review of WSU's sexual harassment policy.  I feel that it must be strengthened in several specific ways.  For example, the policy should be amended to more clearly prohibit employees from engaging in or attempting to initiate an amorous relationship with those over whom they have any level of supervision.  For faculty, this includes students.  Also, timelines need to be developed for the implementation of disciplinary actions.  Further input will be sought.

In conclusion, none of us will tolerate sexual harassment.  WSU is committed to preventing its occurrence, and responding with appropriate discipline when it does occur.