Grievance Board for Student Complaints of Sexual Harassment
Purpose of the Grievance BoardThe Grievance Board for Student Complaints of Sexual Harassment, appointed by the dean of Yale College, is the standing committee of the Yale College faculty charged with addressing formal and informal student complaints of sexual harassment that students in Yale College may bring against students, faculty, and staff of Yale College. Sexual harassment is a matter of particular concern to an academic community in which students, faculty, and staff are related by strong bonds of intellectual dependence and trust. If members of the faculty, whether professors or teaching fellows, or other Yale employees, introduce sex into a professional relationship with a student, they abuse their position of authority. Harassment by peers is as unacceptable as harassment by faculty or staff of the University. Peer harassment can include repeated unwanted telephone calls or e-mails; obscene calls or messages; unwanted touching or fondling; and sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. In some instances sexual harassment is obvious and may involve some overt action, a threat, or a reprisal. In other instances sexual harassment is subtle and indirect, possibly even unintentional, with a coercive aspect that is unstated. Students may find themselves feeling pressure or unwanted attention in a variety of perplexing situations. They may be unsure whether an experience is appropriately considered sexual harassment. In circumstances such as these, students are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a member of the Board. The Board is not authorized to deal with formal student-to-student sexual harassment complaints. A student wishing to bring a formal complaint of sexual harassment against another undergraduate, a complaint involving possible discipline of the student being complained against, should consult the Yale College Executive Committee and The Disciplinary Procedures of the Yale College Executive Committee. |
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