Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment, both in the work place and in the academic setting, is a violation of both federal and state laws. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and the federal regulations promulgated under this Act, prohibit sex discrimination in the employment setting. The regulations define sexual harassment in the workplace as a distinct type of employment discrimination on the basis of sex. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, in any educational programs and activities of educational institutions that receive federal funding, as Yale does. The Connecticut Discriminatory Employment Practices Act also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in employment.

Members of the University who experience sexual harassment are urged to utilize the resources described below and to bring forward any complaint accordingly.

Yale University Statement on Sexual Harassment. Yale University's policy statement on sexual harassment is as follows:

Sexual harassment is antithetical to academic values and to a work environment free from the fact or appearance of coercion. It is a violation of University policy and may result in serious disciplinary action. Sexual harassment consists of nonconsensual sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature on or off campus, when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a condition of an individual's employment or academic standing; or (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions or for academic evaluation, grades, or advancement; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating or hostile academic or work environment. Sexual harassment may be found in a single episode, as well as in persistent behavior. Conduct that occurs in the process of application for admission to a program or selection for employment is covered by this policy, as well as conduct directed toward University students, faculty or staff members.

Yale University Policy on Teacher-Student Consensual Relations. The University prohibits a teacher from having a sexual relationship with a student over whom he or she has direct supervisory responsibility regardless of whether the relationship is consensual. This policy applies to people in the Yale community who are not teachers but who have authority over students, including athletic coaches, supervisors of student employees, advisors and directors of student organizations, as well as others who advise, mentor or evaluate students. Click here for the full text of the Policy.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training. As required by state law, the University provides training to supervisors on recognizing and preventing sexual harassment. Classes are also offered to individuals who are not supervisors. For a schedule of classes, contact the Organizational Development and Learning Center, at 432-5660 or their web site.

University Resources. The University has developed a guide on the topic of sexual harassment for faculty, students, and staff. The full text is available at: www.yale.edu/hronline/forms/shbroch.pdf.

For employees:

Office for Equal Opportunity Programs
Valarie Stanley, Director
432-0849

Department of Human Resources
Donna Cable, Director of Client Support, 436-4180;
Sheila Sautter, Director of Staffing and Career Development, 432-9561.

Office for Women in Medicine
Merle Waxman, Director, 785-4680

For students:

Office for Equal Opportunity Programs
Valarie Stanley, Director
432-0849

Title IX Coordinators—for current year appointments, please call the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs at 432-0849

Deans and Master of Residential Colleges

Deans of the Graduate and Professional Schools

Yale College Grievance Board for Student Complaints of Sexual Harassment
Marichal Gentry, 432-2907

School of Medicine Grievance Board on Sexual Harassment
Merle Waxman, 785-4680

Divinity School Sexual Harassment Committee, 432-5309

Graduate School Grievance Board for Complaints of Sexual Harassment
Pamela Schirmeister, 432-7598