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| Vol. 18, No. 12 | Nov. 19, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 12 | Nov. 19, 1998 |
Thomas LaPenta instructs a group of employees about the University's
zero-tolerance sexual harassment policy.
An administrative team- consisting of Maxine Colm, vice president for administration; Thomas LaPenta, assistant vice president of labor and employee relations; and Liane Sorenson, director of the Office of Women's Affairs-is involved in an ongoing series of campuswide workshops to instruct both managers and employees about UD's longstanding zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual harassment.
"Through these workshops," Colm said, "we are trying to inform all new and current employees that the University does not tolerate sexual harassment, to make sure everyone knows how to identify sexual harassment and what procedures are available if someone believes they have experienced sexual harassment or if a person is accused of sexual harassment."
According to Colm, the training will continue throughout the current academic year in every college and administrative unit, eventually reaching every employee and University student.
Colm stressed that this newly expanded effort is informational and that no new policy is being established. In June, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions clarified the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, making one point absolutely clear-employers must educate their managers and staff about zero tolerance for sexual harassment, she said.
"We've always had a strong policy against sexual harassment that was available in brochures and through online access," she said. "These workshops are designed to carry the message to everyone and to make sure the information is being received.
"In the specific area of sexual harassment training and education," Colm added, "the University is way ahead of other institutions in addressing this issue."
LaPenta said, "It is important to make people aware that we have a living, breathing sexual harassment policy, and not just some papers sitting on a shelf somewhere or information available online. This is an issue that our senior administration has taken seriously, and our goal is to make the workforce aware of the policy through an organized educational program.
"In all my years at the University, I've never seen such a concentrated effort on a single issue," LaPenta said.
The informational training sessions are being taught jointly by Colm, LaPenta and Sorenson. They last from 30 minutes to an hour, depending upon the number of questions raised by the attendees.
The instructional materials include sections on UD's zero-tolerance policy, a definition of sexual harassment, how it is identified and specific examples. The material also tells how to take action against sexual harassment through both informal and legal channels. Attendees also learn about the investigative and decision-making processes, disciplinary actions and grievance procedures.
According to Sorenson, "It is a daunting task to offer sexual harassment training to all of our employees, but it is important that they understand that the University does not tolerate sexual harassment and that they know what steps to take when sexual harassment occurs."
"In addressing this issue," Colm said, "we also are reinforcing the University's zero tolerance for all types of discrimination, such as that related to race, ethnicity, age, sex, religion, national origin and disability status."
-Ed Okonowicz
Photo by Robert Cohen
