Sexual Harassment on Campus

Some people wouldn’t refer to themselves as old or seasoned.  Pat Villarreal, however, is one of those people.  And when it comes to handling sexual harassment, she says that is a good thing.

As an active member of the women’s rights movement, 17-year veteran of Milwaukee County government, and current director of UWM’s Office of Equity/Diversity Services, Villarreal said she has been privy to countless cases of inequality and sexual harassment on the streets, in the office, and on campus.

“I feel very strongly that people need to understand and know what is acceptable and not acceptable and that people are entitled to be respected both in the workforce as well as in the learning environment,” she said.

Villarreal was the main speaker at the Panther Professional Development: Understanding Sexual Harassment workshop, which was held in the UWM Union on Friday, April 15.  The presentation was designed to give students a more thorough understanding of what sexual harassment is, what can be done to deal with harassing behaviors, and what UWM’s responsibilities are for protecting students.

Sue McCarthy, assistant director of the Women’s Resource Center, said people often have a hard time discerning the boundaries between sexual harassment and harmless flirting.

People also demonstrate sexual harassment unknowingly through displayed photos or by being overheard detailing sexual exploits to another person.  Sexual harassment is not always shown through the typical crude jokes, inappropriate touching, or by threatening someone’s job or education in order to receive sexual favors.

With only a handful of students in attendance, Villarreal commented that many students remain unaware as to what campus resources are available to them if they need help, have questions, or would like to file an official complaint.

UWM has also taken steps to keep students and faculty safe.  The UWM Discriminatory Conduct Policy details what sexual harassment is and how incidents can be resolved.  School faculty are instructed periodically about what behavior is and is not appropriate.

What is Sexual Harassment?

To begin the program, McCarthy handed out a quiz to gauge the students’ knowledge of sexual harassment. While every student believed they had a basic understanding of what constituted as sexual harassment, McCarthy said there is never a concrete answer.  UWM student Celia Osorno agreed with McCarthy.

“It is kind of confusing in real life situations,” she said.

UWM’s Discriminatory Conduct Policy regards harassment as a form of prohibited discrimination.  It defines harassment as conduct that:

• Is of any type (oral, written, graphic, or physical)
• Is directed towards or against a person because of the person’s protected status (gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, etc.)
• Unreasonably interferes with the individual’s work, education, or participation in activities or programs at UWM or creates a working or learning environment that a reasonable person would find threatening or intimidating

Reporting Sexual Harassment

A 2006 study by the American Association of University Women found that nearly two-thirds of college students have been victims of sexual harassment, yet only 10 percent have actually reported the misconduct.

Villarreal said most UWM students simply don’t know help is available.  Sophomore Anne Matteucci echoed those sentiments.  However, even with available resources, she said she would still remain hesitant to report an incident.

“I’d probably just blow it off,” Matteucci said.

McCarthy said many people are reluctant to report the behavior because they are unsure if it’s actually harassment.  She cited current workplace and campus climates as the major culprits.  Supervisors often encourage a loose environment and would rather be seen as pals to engender employee loyalty.  In the process, lines can be crossed.

McCarthy also said many people now view sexual harassment as normal.  They feel no one else is offended, and do not want to interrupt the status quo or garner animosity from fellow peers.

“Sometimes people feel they have more to lose than to gain by filing,” said McCarthy.

Both Villarreal and McCarthy stressed that there are a number of campus resources available to students if they would like to report sexual harassment or talk to someone about an incident.  For support and advocacy services, students can visit the Women’s Resource Center.  To file an official complaint, students are advised to consult the Office of Equity/Diversity Services.

Villarreal said she often advises students to discuss the incident with the perpetrator first.  If that fails, or the student feels uncomfortable confronting the harasser, action can be taken with EDS.  Third parties can also file complaints if the student or employee has credible knowledge of the alleged incident.  Villarreal said students often turn to their advisors with questions, who then contact EDS.  To file an official complaint:

• The individual must report the incident in writing, on an official EDS form, within 300 calendar days of the incident.
• The complaint must contain the basis of the charge, the name(s) of the supposed violator(s), and the date of the incident.

The Discriminatory Conduct Policy says that after reviewing the complaint, informing the violator, and investigating the situation, EDS will attempt to resolve the incident through a negotiated resolution process.

Villarreal said EDS investigates anywhere from 25 to 35 formal complaints every year, with 35 percent of them coming from students.

“It used to be they were mostly from faculty and academic staff,” Villarreal said.  “But now as more students become aware that we are a resource for them if they feel they are being treated differently or unfairly, they come to us.”

Professors and TA’s

The AAUW study also found that 70 percent of students at large schools said professors, TA’s, or other school employees sexually harassed students, although it did not happen often.  Villarreal said two-thirds of the official student complaints at UWM are about a professor, TA, or person in a position of power, while the others concern another student.

But students aren’t the only ones dealing with sexual harassment in the classroom.  Sometimes students bring up inappropriate discussions or material in class.

“Professors often call us and ask what they should say or do,” said McCarthy. Instructors and students are allowed, via the Discriminatory Conduct Policy, to show questionable material if it is pertinent to the class and subject matter.  However, lecturers can be reprimanded if material or rhetoric is consistently unrelated or inappropriate.

Villarreal said she conducts presentations at new employee orientation every year and periodically goes into departments to talk with faculty and governance committees to make sure that UWM faculty understand what is and is not appropriate.

“As agents of the employer, they have a particular responsibility to make sure sexual harassment doesn’t occur,” Villarreal said.

For more information about sexual harassment resources at UWM, students can visit http://www4.uwm.edu/sexualharassment/.