Forum set March 9

Commission, Title IX coordinator work to address sexual harassment issues

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8:54 a.m., March 3, 2015--The University of Delaware Faculty Senate has formed a Commission on Sexual Harassment and Assault, which is charged with making recommendations for the implementation of best practices for the prevention of sexual misconduct and for addressing sexual harassment and assault allegations.

The commission is chaired by Michael Chajes, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and is working in concert with Susan Groff, the University’s Title IX coordinator and director of institutional equity and inclusion.

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With sexual harassment an issue that has gained significant national attention, the commission is sponsoring a forum at which participants can share their thought questions and concerns regarding sexual harassment and assault on campus.

“I am pleased to see the commission offering this forum to our community,” Groff said. “I hope the campus will take advantage of the opportunity to have the discussion with the members of the commission.”

The open forum for the entire UD community is scheduled from 4-5 p.m., Monday, March 9, in 104 Gore Hall.

“We are actively seeking input from the campus community regarding this issue, and encourage people with ideas and suggestions to reach out to us with your thoughts,” Chajes said, adding that those who are unable to attend a forum -- or who have ideas after having attended a forum -- can share them by visiting the commission website. A full list of the commission members can also be found at the website.

At the direction of UD President Patrick Harker, and in parallel with the commission, Groff is leading the campus as it pertains to the work of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination. She is working with colleagues on campus to review and strengthen the University’s policies and procedures; develop and implement comprehensive education, training and prevention programs for faculty, students and staff; and develop processes in responding to reported incidents of sexual misconduct.

Together, the Title IX Office, the Faculty Senate Commission and the Office of Institutional Research will be conducting a campus climate survey for undergraduate students this spring, and for graduate students, staff, and faculty next fall. Representatives of the organizations said they hope that members of the campus community will participate in these surveys when they receive them.

About the Faculty Senate Commission

The Faculty Senate Commission on Sexual Harassment and Assault has three active subcommittees on education and prevention, policies and procedures, and data collection.

The subcommittees are chaired, respectively, by Pam Cook, UNIDEL Professor of Mathematical Sciences and associate dean of engineering; Miranda Wilson, associate professor of English; and Ruth Fleury-Steiner, associate professor of human development and family studies.

“The members of the commission are working incredibly hard to learn all that we can about the current status at UD and to review best practices from around the country,” Chajes said. “We look forward to developing recommendations that will enable UD to an exemplary campus model for addressing sexual misconduct.” 

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