The Affirmative Action Office recently revised the University's sexual harassment policy, making stricter guidelines for teacher-student relationships. A consenting relationships clause was added to provide concrete rules for relationships in which one person has significant power over another, said Bonnie Ortiz, the Affirmative Action director. As a result, teachers who date students must give up any duties directly pertaining to those students' grades or academic status, Ortiz said. Ortiz said about 3,000 faculty members have attended training on how to deal with sexual harassment and similiar issues.
Some students favor the changes.
Kristen Eisenbraun, Undergraduate Student Government coordinator of Women's Issues, agreed, saying she is glad the new clause was added. When there are two consenting adults, and one has power over the other . . . Punishment for sexual harassment depends on the severity of the case and can range from verbal or written warning to dismissal, Ortiz said. People with sexual harassment complaints can report them to an administrator in that department, a staff member at the Affirmative Action Office, or a staff member at the Human Resources Office, Ortiz said.