The following is the University of Puget Sound discriminatory harassment report from August, 2012 through July, 2013.
This report is compiled annually by the Harassment Reporting Officers (listed below). As part of an effort to cultivate a campus environment in which concerns, questions, and complaints are forwarded for resolution, the officers broadened the campus reporting practice a year ago to include all inquiries or concerns raised in areas related to discriminatory harassment, not just those which resulted in official actions. As a result, there is a significant increase in the number of reported incidents starting in 2011-2012 report versus those of previous years.
There are also other campus reports that detail campus crime activity (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/offices–services/security-services/annual-security-report/) and incidents of bias and hate (http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/diversity-at-puget-sound/diversity-strategic-plan/annual-report-on-diversity/). There is overlap in information between these reports and the one below. All, however, account for incidents in slightly different ways and, thus, the numbers reported in each document will be different and should not be seen as cumulative in nature.
A report was made of vandalism containing offensive sexual references written on a mirror in a residence hall. The offender’s identify is unknown.
A report was made of vandalism containing offensive sexual references written on several white-boards in a residence hall. The offender’s identify is unknown.
A student alleged offensive writing about gender, race, and sexuality on a document written by students. The complaint was addressed by a member of the Student Affairs staff.
A student alleged stalking and unwanted contact by a non-student. Security Services and Residence Life were notified and provided support.
A student alleged sexual misconduct by students at an off campus party. On investigation, no evidence was discovered to support moving to a hearing.
A student alleged racial harassment by two other students. At the complainant’s request, this complaint was resolved informally. Outcome included an apology and educational requirements.
A student alleged unwanted sexualized attention by a faculty member. The complainant addressed the faculty member directly and the behavior stopped. The complainant asked that no further investigation take place.
A student alleged limited opportunities within an academic department due to race. The complaint was resolved to the student’s satisfaction with support from the Office of Multicultural Student Services, a faculty member, and the Dean of Students Office.
A student alleged offensive racial remarks made by another student. The complaint resolved to the student’s satisfaction with support from the offices of Multicultural Student Services and Residence Life.
A report was made of offensive writing about sexuality on a comment card. The offender’s identify is unknown.
A student alleged retaliation by students for an original race bias complaint against the students. At the complainant’s request, this complaint was resolved informally. The complaint was resolved to the student’s satisfaction with support from the Office of Multicultural Student Services, a faculty member, and the Dean of Students Office.
A report was made of offensive writing about race and gender on a bulletin board in residence hall. The offender’s identify is unknown.
A student alleged sexually offensive behaviors by other students. The complaint was resolved to the student’s satisfaction with support from the Office of Multicultural Student Services, the Office of Greek Life, and an education requirement.
A student made a report of vandalism containing offensive sexual references written on the student’s car. The investigation failed to identify the offender.
A student alleged a physical assault because of the student’s gender identity by an unidentified person. The investigation failed to identify the offender.
A student alleged stalking by an alleged assailant identified as a student. At the complainant’s request, this complaint was addressed informally. Outcomes included a No Contact Agreement and the concern was addressed with the respondent by a Student Affairs staff member.
A student alleged offensive speech related to disabilities by a faculty member. At the complainant’s request, this complaint was addressed informally. The concerns were addressed with the responding faculty member by Student Affairs staff and Disability Services staff.
Three students alleged sexual harassment by another student. At the complainants’ request, this complaint was handled informally. Outcomes included No Contact Orders and the concerns were addressed via a facilitated conversation among the students involved.
A student alleged a sexual assault by a person thought to be a student. The investigation failed to identify the offender.
A student alleged offensive speech about nationality by another student. The complaint was resolved to the complainant’s satisfaction with support from the Office of Multicultural Student Services.
A student alleged sexual misconduct by another student that occurred in Fall 2011. After meeting with a staff member of Student Affairs, the complainant requested no further action.
A student alleged domestic violence by another student. The complainant asked that no further conduct process take place. As of print, this case remains open and will be addressed in Fall 2013.
A student alleged offensive homophobic speech by another student. The complaint was handled formally. Outcomes included conduct probation and educational sanctions.
A student alleged social media posts that were offensive stereotypes depicting class and race. The complaint was handled formally. The outcomes included a conduct reprimand and educational sanctions.
A student alleged domestic violence by a non-student. Security Services and Student Affairs were notified and supported the student.
A student alleged indecent exposure by another student. The complaint was handled formally. The outcome was a conduct reprimand.
A student alleged offensive homophobic speech by another student. At the complainant’s request, this complaint was addressed informally. The outcome was a facilitated conversation between the students.
During the last reporting period, a visiting faculty member raised concerns about a faculty supervisor with respect to potential discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or ethnicity; a resolution process was concluded in this reporting period. The complainant was notified of outcomes of the inquiry and requested the institution take no further action.
A student registered a complaint alleging adverse impact in an employment selection process due to a protected personal characteristic. The
complaint was investigated by a Harassment Reporting Official in Human Resources, and it was determined that the hiring decision was more likely than not made based on appropriate job-related criteria. The complainant requested that training about selection processes be provided for future hiring managers in this area. Human Resources will work with the department to provide training on an annual basis.
A student registered a complaint alleging discriminatory harassment based on race during the student’s involvement in an investigative proceeding conducted by a staff member. The complaint was investigated by a Harassment Reporting Official in Human Resources and determined to be unfounded. The next-level supervisor of the staff member was also notified of the complaint. The complainant was notified of the outcome of the investigation, was offered assistance with next-level action if desired, and elected no further action.
Faculty members, staff members, and students may bring sexual or other discriminatory harassment complaints to any of the following designated officials as specified in the Campus Policy Prohibiting Harassment and Sexual Misconduct, available on the Puget Sound website.
Kris Bartanen (Academic Vice President), Michael Benitez (Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, Chief Diversity Officer), Debbie Chee (Assistant Dean of Students), Sunil Kukreja (Associate Dean), Cindy Matern (Associate Vice President for Human Resources), Grace Kirchner (Faculty Ombudsperson), Nancy Nieraeth (Employment and People Development Director), Czarina Ramsay (Director of Multicultural Student Services), Mike Segawa (Dean of Students)
Distribution: The Trail, Open Line, web posting, Diversity Committee, Student Life Committee, Bias Hate Education Response Team, Diversity Advisory Council
