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| Vol. 17, No. 10 | Nov. 6, 1997 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 10 | Nov. 6, 1997 |
At its November meeting, the University Faculty Senate made procedural changes to the University's sexual harassment policy.
A complaint had been filed with the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Education regarding the processes followed by the University in investigating charges of sexual harassment. After a full investigation, the OCR officially informed the University in April 1997 that its "policy against sexual harassment as well as the informal procedures used in investigating allegations of sexual harassment comply with the letter and spirit of Title IX and its implementing regulations."
While there were no findings of inadequate procedures at any level within the University, OCR recommended that the Faculty Senate Welfare and Privileges Committee consider adding additional time lines and another level of appeal to the committee's procedures. These proposals were approved at the Nov. 3 Faculty Senate meeting with three opposed and three abstentions.
Additional procedural suggestions were offered for consideration by the Welfare and Privileges Committee. Chairperson John McLaughlin said the committee will consider the suggestions next semester.
Senators also approved a proposed name change, from the College of Agricultural Sciences to the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. According to Tom Sims, professor of plant and soil sciences, the college has held open open hearings on the name change, sent out letters to interested parties in the state and held an informal ballot within the college. In recognition of the collegeŐs broader mission, the senate passed the resolution unanimously. The proposal will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
In other business, the senate passed a proposed new graduate degree program leading to masterŐs and doctoral degrees in environmental and energy policy. The proposed program will be administered by the College of Human Resources, Education and Public Policy, which houses the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, and supported by faculty in the colleges of Agricultural Sciences, Arts and Science, Engineering and Marine Studies. The degree will be established provisionally for four years, after which the senate may seek permanent degree status from the Board of Trustees. The senate also passed a resolution to extend to visiting professional employees the same benefits currently in place for visiting faculty.
-Cornelia Weil
