What to Do About Sexual Harssment

If something like this happens to you or to someone you know:

• Document the incident(s), including dates, times, witnesses, and how you felt at the time. 

• Consider talking to or writing a letter to the offender explaining your feelings.  Do not do this if you are afraid of the person or the response you might get.

• Talk with a member of the Equity Advisors Resource Network (EAR-N ).

• Ask for help from the campus Affirmative Action Officer, who is charged with investigating incidents of discrimination, including sexual harassment:

Lynda J. Ames, Ph.D.
Affirmative Action Officer
Hawkins 053A
518-564-3310
ameslj@plattsburgh.edu

Your complaint will be taken seriously and investigated.

There are several levels of reporting--the victim chooses which level.

1. You can simply report the incident and remain anonymous.
   
   We will keep the complaint on file.  However, we will not be able to confront the alleged perpetrator, since we do not have your permission to use your name.
   
   We can give you information and some referrals.  You are entitled to change your mind later about going forward.
   
   

2. You can sign a complaint and ask for an informal investigation and resolution.  You are required to do this within 90 days of the alleged incident, or within 90 days of receiving your  grades.  (See  http://web.plattsburgh.edu/policies/affirmativeaction/policy.php )
   
   We will then talk with you and with any witnesses you identify.  We will talk with the alleged perpetrator.
   
   We will attempt to resolve the issue.  For example, the alleged perpetrator may agree to attend a workshop on sexual harassment, and will agree to stop the unwanted behavior.
   
   If the informal resolution does not satisfy you, you may move on to the next stage.  You may do this at any point.
   
   

3. You can sign a complaint, within 90 days of the alleged incident, and ask for a formal investigation involving a tri-partite panel.  In this option, you name one member of the college community to the panel, the alleged perpetrator names another, and the two named members select a third.  This panel then hears the evidence, including your statement and that of the alleged perpetrator.  They make a recommendation to the college president, Dr. John Ettling.
   
   The recommendation may include formal discipline against the perpetrator.  If the President agrees, then such disciplinary action is initiated.  Discipline may include counseling by the Human Resource Services Director and a letter being placed in the perpetrator's file.
   
   

4. If you remain dissatisfied with the College's response, you may contact the New York State Division of Human Rights, the State Department of Education, or the Federal Office for Civil Rights.  (See http://web.plattsburgh.edu/policies/affirmativeaction/policy.php#appendix_b .)  You may do this at any time, but doing so may end the campus process.