Panel: college must expand sexual harassment policies

by Alison Briant staff writer

Vacillation and discretion abound whenever the touchy area of sexual harassment arises in conversation.

The recent Cabrini-sponsored Humanities Sexual Harassment Forum was no exception.

While the college is improving and expanding in other areas, according to Myrna M. Grandgenett, vice president of human resources and mission integration, the innovation of its sexual harassment policy is "definitely an area for growth."

Approximately 15 members of the Cabrini community including students, faculty and staff gathered in the Grace Hall board room on Thursday, Nov. 19 to discuss sexual harassment as it pertains to law, the workplace and the classroom.

"Standards for defining sexual harassment today are very subjective and not objective," Linda Collier, a criminal justice professor at Cabrini, said. Collier represented the law aspect of this controversial topic.

"There is no clear line to define sexual harassment today," Collier said.

Colleges and universities must face this situation head-on by integrating some approach to this form of harassment in their disciplinary policies as discussed at the forum.

This forum attempted to show the college's concern in this area and receive feedback from the community members.

Presently, Cabrini's policy against sexual harassment coincides with Section 703 of Title Vil of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Title XI of the Education Amendments of 1976.

The policy defines sexual harassment as "any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of sexual nature."

The unacceptable actions include such items as "dirty jokes," cartoons, gestures, and unnecessary physical conduct. Refinement to a more specifically outlined policy seems to be in order for our modernizing institution.

"I think as a college we are somewhat at risk in terms of our

sexual harassment policy," Grandgenett said to the gathered congregation.

In an effort to get the college back up to speed, administrators plan on forming a group that will increase education on campus to students and employees, provide training for those in authority and heighten awareness with campaigns about this subject.

This group will also concentrate on instruction for students as they enter the work force in the co-op and career services department.

Harvey Lape, a professor of philosophy who also sat on the panel at this forum, quoted Gloria Steinem in talking about the evolution of sexual harassment. "Before sexual discrimination was given its name, women just called it right," he said.