Date sent: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 12:03:49 -0500
To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
Copies to: WaDiJeDo-at-aol.com
Subject: Re: Re: before I give it all up....(long)
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Janis wrote:
< (mainly for the information of what is taught) I think this professor is urked because I am not intimidated by his status. (He is also head of the music education dept.) which I am trying to get into. >>

Janis,
I know that in employement law, this type of conduct could serve as the basis for an equal employee opportunity complaint on the basis of sexual harassment and/or religion (which, if the case meets legal requirements--which aren't always the same as popular conception--could result in monetary
compensation for damages, as well as any relief in the form of back pay, job promotions, etc.)

I'm not familiar with the law as regards student/teacher relationships, but I'm sure there's something protecting you and others who might be subjected to harassment based on sex or religion. Again, the legal requirements may be stiffer than commonly realized - but it's also in the institution's
interest to protect itself against potential legal liability, so I think the school would want to know about the situation so it could take >appropriate< action - even if it's simply directing this person to stop the offensive behavior.

So as far as this factual situation goes, my advice would be for you to report it to your "student life" service, or whatever process the school has established for formally dealing with student complaints. I think if you do this you are not only helping your own situation, you're helping other
students subjected to the offensive conduct, and you're helping the institution identify and correct a problem that it may not be aware of - it's hard for them to act unless there's a complaint, because it's not appropriate to act on rumor or hearsay.

I know whereof I speak, because in my day-job professional life, I counsel Federal government managers and supervisors on problems with employee performance and conduct, and I'm familiar with the law and processes involving sexual and other discrimination in the workplace. In the case of the
workplace, the formal complaint through channels (whether it's a grievance or an EEO complaint or a letter to higher management) from the employee(s) is crucial to correcting a problem with the conduct of a manager or supervisor, and I can assure you that in my organization (a Cabinet Department
Headquarters), these complaints are taken VERY serioiusly, and acted on appropriately, taking into account fairness to both the complainer and the complainee.

--
Peggy Harrion, Alexandria, VA
mailto:peggyh-at-ix.netcom.com
"Music for a While Shall All Your Cares Beguile"