Tennessee Technological University
Staff Advisory Committee to the President
President's Conference Room
March 3, 2005 at 1:30 p.m.
Members Present: Faye Bussell, Benny Davis, Brooke Dedmon, Carol Holley (presiding), Diane Klein, Mike Magdalena, Sheila McNeal, Debbie Walker, Rochelle Wassom,
Others Present: Dr. Leo McGee, Ms. Pogue, and Ms. Watson
Ms. Holley called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. She welcomed Brooke Dedmon to the committee.
President’s
Comments
Tech Ambassadors
Congratulations to the following Tech Ambassadors:
December – Edith Verble, Curriculum and Instruction
January – Pam Allen, Human Resources
February – Pamela Rowe, Residential Life
March – Donna Warren, Telecommunications
Retirements
Congratulations to the following Tech employees who have retired or announced their retirement:
December – Carlen Thompson, University Center
December – Kenneth Kintz, Foreign Languages
December – Bernice Ramsey, Health Services
January – Randall Stoops, University Fitness Center
January – Jerry Hayes, Food Services
February – Peggy Tomlin, Business Office
February – L.V. Randolph, Electrical Engineering
June – David Narrie, School of Agriculture
Deaths
We were saddened to report the deaths of the following TTU employees:
Kenneth Lawson, custodian, Facilities and Business Services on December 27
Constance Ruesch, secretary, Chemical Engineering on January 9
Calendars
The following events were announced:
Luncheon Forum – April 25
Clerical & Support Staff Recognition Brunch at Walton House – April 28
Review of Sexual
Harassment and Assault Report
Dr. McGee reviewed the Sexual Harassment and Assault Report produced by
the Commission on the Status of Women. The report was the product of a survey
administered during Spring 2004 by the Commission’s Safety Committee. The survey
was mailed to 1200 faculty members, staff members, administrators, and graduate
students in all colleges. The 268 respondents identified themselves in the
following categories: 82 males, 186 females.
Conclusions
The survey’s results indicate uncertainty and confusion among the TTU
community about the definition of sexual harassment and about policy and
procedure regarding sexual harassment and sexual assault. This was particularly
evident regarding the potentially harmful effects of language, joking, and the
issue of intent. Respondents’ limited knowledge in these areas would influence
their perceptions and evaluations of real and hypothetical situations they
reported elsewhere in the survey.
Responses to policy and procedure questions reflected limited
understanding of confidentiality issues, reporting procedures, and what is
considered appropriate to report. Many respondents expressed reticence to
report incidents; 83% of male respondents and 67% of female respondents who
said they had been sexually harassed did not report it. The fact that so few
incidents are reported may affect the perception that sexual harassment is not
a “major” problem on campus.
The number of respondents who said they had been harassed suggests that
sexual harassment on the TTU campus predominantly affect females, and is a
serious problem on the TTU campus: 24% of female respondents reported that they
had been sexually harassed compared to 11% of male respondents. 35% of female
respondents and 50% of male respondents who said they had been harassed
reported repeat incidents of harassment by perpetrators in any of the following
categories: students, faculty, administrators, and staff.
Overall, respondents did recognize sexual harassment as a problem at
TTU. When asked about methods of educating the TTU community, the most popular
advocated educating students during freshman orientation. In addition, nearly
half of the respondents wanted periodic seminars on sexual harassment open to
all the TTU community, and approximately one-fourth thought that brochures on
sexual harassment should be posted in all buildings on campus.
Recommendations
1.
We join the respondents of both the 2002 and 2004 surveys in advocating
that TTU support and fund a mandatory session on sexual harassment and assault
to be held annually during freshmen orientation, given by a professional and
knowledgeable individuals. Recognizing the stigma and discomfort some attach to
these issues, steps should be taken to provide a memorable experience.
2.
In light of the fact that 49% of male respondents and 63% of female
respondents report that they have never attended a workshop on sexual
harassment at TTU, we recommend that the University support and fund seminars
on sexual harassment and assault, mandatory for all TTU faculty, staff and
administrators. However, we do commend the Office of Affirmative Action for
beginning this process with the new faculty and staff.
3.
We recommend the revision of TTU’s brochures on Sexual and Racial
Harassment and on Sexual Assault, so that
·
The text is made more user-friendly through improvements in font,
layout, and language;
·
Sections of the sexual harassment brochure are clearly labeled; for
example, “How To Report An Incident” and “What Happens After You Make A Report”;
·
Brochures are widely available, and their distribution is supported by
all employees and organizations on campus; and that TTU provide funding for
revised brochures and their promotion and distribution
4.
We note that the Sexual Harassment Test currently online at the
Affirmative Action web site begins the campus dialogue on sexual harassment,
but should not be construed as a substitution for seminar training, nor should
it serve to provide indemnity for TTU.
5.
We ask that the University demonstrate its no-tolerance policy toward
sexual harassment and assault by encouraging open discourse on these topics to
dramatically improve the campus climate for women and men. We commend President
Bell’s strong letter against sexual harassment (a preamble to the
aforementioned online test) and we suggest that this be distributed to the
entire TTU community via e-mail.
Other Such Matters
The committee discussed two suggestions from the suggestion box:
- “To add more
bicycle parking stations on campus”
The issue is already under study by the
University Committee on Buildings and Grounds. The subject may be brought up
again at the March 17th meeting.
- “Why not put faculty
and staff on the Student Traffic Appeals Committee since most of the time
it is our spaces the students are taking? That way we have a say as to
whether or not the excuse is acceptable.
The committee discussed the issue and various
possibilities. The suggestion will be forwarded to both Vice President Burnett
and Vice President Rector for further review.
The meeting adjourned at 2:08 p.m.
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Last Updated: March 14, 2005
For more information, contact TWatson@tntech.edu
