Policy and Procedures against Sexual Harassment at Brooklyn College
It is the policy of the City University of New York (CUNY) to promote a cooperative work and academic environment in which everyone enjoys mutual respect. Sexual harassment of students, faculty or staff is contrary to this policy and it is illegal under federal, state, and city laws. It will not be tolerated within CUNY!
CUNY has established procedures to ensure that everyone has equal employment and academic opportunity without regard to age, sex, sexual orientation, immigration status, citizenship, religion, race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability and veteran or marital status. See the CUNY Policy Against Sexual Harassment. Every student, faculty member, staff member and administrator is encouraged to become aware of and to support the university’s Policy Against Sexual Harassment. To this end, CUNY provides an interactive online course and mastery test to inform all members of the university community about sexual harassment.
Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or academic standing;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions; or
- Such conduct is meant to unreasonably interfere with an individual’s work or academic performance or create an intimidating, hostile or abusive work or academic environment.
Examples of Sexual Harassment
Using a person’s response to a request for sexual favor as a basis for an academic or employment decision is one form of sexual harassment. This type of sexual harassment, known as quid pro quo harassment, includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Requesting or demanding sexual favors as a basis for access to opportunities, such as hiring, promotions, grades or recommendations.
- When sexual advances are rejected, retaliation in the form of unfair or inaccurate evaluations or grades, or the withholding of training, promotion or other opportunities.
- Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work or academic environment is another form of sexual harassment. Examples include, but are not confined to, the following:
- Sexual comments, teasing, jokes, slurs, derogatory statements or other verbal abuse
- Suggestive comments about your clothes or body
- Sexually suggestive letters or e-mails
- Persistent invitations for drinks, dinners or dates, even after you have refused them
- Sexual touching, grabbing, kissing or fondling
If you believe you have been sexually harassed, even if you are on an assignment off campus, participating in an internship, interviewing for employment or seeing a mentor, make a complaint to the Brooklyn College sexual harassment coordinator, Miriam Deutch. Please see below for committee information.
Investigation of Complaints
Investigations of complaints of sexual harassment are conducted promptly, fairly, thoroughly and as confidentially as possible under the circumstances. After the investigation, if a complaint is found to be true, appropriate action is taken.
Confidentiality
Your privacy, and the privacy of those who are otherwise involved in the complaint process, is respected. Information obtained in connection with the complaint and its resolution is handled as confidentially as possible. We, however, cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality.
Resolution of Complaints
Following an investigation, the coordinator may recommend a range of informal measures to resolve the complaint or, if circumstances warrant, may recommend formal disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment and suspension or expulsion of students.
Retaliation
Any form of retaliatory action against anyone availing himself or herself of these procedures or participating in the investigation is prohibited by the policy.
Knowingly False Complaints
Members of CUNY who intentionally make false complaints of sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action.
Consensual Relationships
Sexual relationships that involve mutual consent are not instances of sexual harassment. However, relationships between a person and someone for whom he/she has a professional responsibility are strongly discouraged under this policy.
Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee
The Sexual Harassment Awareness and Intake Committee, appointed by the president of Brooklyn College, resolves sexual harassment complaints and educates the Brooklyn College community about the nature and seriousness of sexual harassment.
Committee Members
Professor Miriam Deutch
Coordinator
412 Library
951.5221
miriamd@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Robert Oliva
Deputy Coordinator
Magner Center for Career
Development and Internships
1303 James Hall
951.5696
boliva@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Ursula Chase
Campus and Community
Safety Services
0202 Ingersoll Hall
951.5511
ursulac@brooklyn.cuny.edu
Robert Scott
Honors Academy
951.4114
robscott@brooklyn.cuny.edu
