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A student may
seek information, support or referral from a number of trained
staff members of the college on sexual harassment matters
without having to lodge a formal complaint. These resource
people are: residence coordinators, area coordinators, class
deans, the dean of the college, the associate dean of the
School for Social Work, the dean of students, associate or
assistant deans of student affairs, chaplains, the director
of the Ada Comstock Scholars Program, and the ombudsperson.
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students who believe they are being sexually
harassed |
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students who are uncertain as to whether what they
are experiencing is sexual harassment |
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students who want information regarding their options
in dealing with sexual harassment |
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students who believe someone else is being harassed
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Faculty members
and students are not trained regarding sexual harassment complaints.
However, if the student wishes, she may ask a faculty member
or a friend to accompany her when she meets with a resource
person who is trained to provide assistance.
Students seeking assistance from a member of the dean of the
college’s staff (“B” level on the Complaint
Chart – Appendix C, p. 19) will be counseled as to their
options for action available under this procedure. The student
will learn about the internal (within the college) and external
(federal or state agency) options available for seeking resolution
of the matter.
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the issues involved in the circumstances
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possible resolution options |
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agencies for lodging a federal or state action (see
Appendix B, p. 18) |
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outline of the college's complaint processes (informal
resolution and formal grievance procedures) |
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provisions for protecting the interests of the person
with the complaint (e.g., confidentiality; need for
truthfulness by all parties; remaining fully informed
of steps taken during the process; protection against
retaliatory action) |
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provisions for protecting the interests of the accused
(e.g., confidentiality; need for truthfulness by all
parties; right to be notified of existence of any formal
complaint; opportunity to respond to allegations) |
The use of informal resolution (see separate section)
does not prevent the person with the complaint from later
deciding to use the formal procedure; nor does the use
of any internal complaint method prevent one from utilizing
external methods of recourse. Once all of the preceding
information has been discussed with the student: |
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The student may decide to do nothing (rarely recommended).
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The student may take personal action (such as a conversation
with or a letter to the alleged harasser). |
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The student may decide to request the ombudsperson
to provide informal resolution services. |
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The student may request the Office of Institutional
Diversity to make a formal investigation and resolution
of the grievance (see Attachment B, p. 11 for Formal
Complaint Procedures under the Smith College Civil Rights
Policy and Grievance Procedures). |
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Or: |
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The student may file a federal complaint with the Office
for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education or
a state complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination (see Appendix B, p. 18 for appropriate
referral information).
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About
the Handbook
Table
of Contents
Introduction
Master's
Program, Summer
Master's
Program, Winter
The
Academic and Field Work Performance Standing
Committee
Administrative
Policies & Procedures
Other
School Policies
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