Page 6
University Dally Kansan, June 11, 1981
KU sexual harassment problem to be assessed
By ACHAL MEHRA
Staff Writer
Like several other universities in the United States, the University of Kansas is drafting a policy against sexual harassment.
Unlike many of those universities, however, KU does not know how big the problem is in the university.
Mary Townsend, director of the KU Office of Minority Affairs, said it was important to collect data on cases of assault before drafting a policy against it.
Townsend said data was necessary to determine whether, in fact, a problem existed at KU. The data, she could, show that KU doesn't have a problem.
"Maybe we don't even need a policy." Townsend said.
Townsend's sentiments are shared by Rita G. Napier, assistant professor of history and a strong lobbyist for a policy against sexual harassment.
THE MAN WHO CAN supply some of the data is Mike Edwards, director of the KU Office of Affirmative action, and he isn't talking. His professional code, he says, prohibits him from doing so.
Edwards does admit that problems exist. He would not, however, reveal statistics or discuss cases.
Napier said she had definite knowledge of two cases, both more than a year old. She also said that she had heard rumors of other cases.
At any rate, Napier said, official statistics would be misleading, since most cases go unreported because students fear embarrassment and even
ONLY ONE CASE, which was well documented, she said, was reported to authorities. In the other case, Napier had student preferred to hush up the matter.
she had served in the KU Office of Minority Affairs, six cases of sexual harassment had been reported to her. She was ordered to bowely and then presented to a written complaint.
Townsend said that in the six years
vernell Spearman, assistant director, of the KU Office of Minority Affairs, said that two students had contacted her about being sexually harassed by faculty members during a course years. Neither of them filled a copplant.
Spearman said that the strongest determent to filling a complaint was the plaintiff's belief that no action would be taken on the complaint.
A POLICY THAT FAILS to address itself to procedures for dealing with complaints, Spearman said, will not change matters much.
Napier agreed, saying that the present ad hoc procedures dealing with complaints give victims the impression that they cannot be protected.
"In most cases," Napier said, "there is a genuine possibility that no action will be taken."
Napier said that a committee that included student representatives should be constituted to handle complaints.
She said that students could not be expected to have confidence in a committee comprised only of faculty members who could have a vested interest in protecting the reputation of their colleagues.
The biggest problem, Napier said, was getting victims to step forward. She said that a victim will not come forward until the latter was confident that action would be taken on her complaint.
Charles Warner, vice president of the Commission on the Status of Women, said that the commission was planning to conduct a survey during the fall semester to determine how many students had been sexually harassed.
Townsend said that the survey and the surrounding publicity would increase the awareness of female students to their rights.
"Nothing is gained by denying that the probes issued toowned said, 'I must go to goa'."
She said the students were frequently unaware that they had been sexually abused.
"They know only the most blatant and overt form of sexual harassment."
"I've had to tell them that an in-
patient came here and said they were
anywhere until they said it was OK.
None of the sources interviewed were
THE NATIONAL ADVISORY Council on Women's Educational Programs has categorized sexual harassment complaints into five categories: general sexist remarks, insults to women, discrimination, sex solicitation with promises of reward, coercion under threat of punishment and sexual assaults.
aware of any specific instances of sexual harassment of males, but all agreed that the potential for such harassment existed.
The problem of sexual harassment in educational institutions has come into focus only in recent years.
Following reports of several such
cases, many universities, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rutgers University, and Stanford University, adopted policies prohibiting sexual harassment.
At San Jose State University in California, one faculty member was dismissed following complaints of sexual harassment. The University of California-Berkley suspended one faculty member for an academic quarter in another highly publicized case.
On May 1 this year, Flinis E. Dew,
associate professor of counseling, was
suspended for the fall semester by San
Francisco University after being found
gullity of sexually harassing women students.
Most of these actions have sternened, from recent court decisions holding employers liable for the sexual harassment actions of their employees, particularly if no grievance procedures to follow in complaints exist.
Although courts have given conflicting judgments on the subject, it is at least theoretically possible for victims of sexual harassment to sue institutions that have failed to develop a sexual harassment policy.
In the wake of this threat, several universities, including KU, have begun drafting policy statements prohibiting such misconduct.
Local clergy apprehensive about Falwell
By JOE BIRNEY Staff Reporter
The ascension of the electronic ministry of the Rev, Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority has left some Lawrence ministers applauding his concerns but apprehensive toward his methods.
The Rev. Fred Holomon of the Faith Southern Baptist Church said that Falwell does not hurt the issues he himself believes in, but feels that like Jesus, he is cheaper the ministry through his constant pleas for money.
they are concerned with," Hollomon said.
MANY OF THE ISSUES that Fallwell speaks out on, such as abortion and homosexuality, Hollomon said, are the sort that must be faced aggressively, or no one will listen. Because of that, he says, "It is a crime to ride a rude in some of his preaching methods."
The Rev, Harold Bishop of the Free Methodist Church feels there is a desperate need for a moral turnaround in this country. Whether Fawell's method is the answer is uncertain, Bishop said.
"I'm on his maillist and receive his donation requests, but I have never sent the man a dollar." Bishop said. "I could never do that."
"At least people are now talking about the Moral Majority and the issues
All of the local ministers agreed that Falwell does have a right to become involved in the political process. The Rev. Steph E. Fletcher of the First Baptist Church (American Baptist Convention) said that if Christianity does not affect our politics then we are washed up.
The Rev. Ron Goodman of the First Christian Church said that Christians have a right to be involved in politics, but he does not agree that Falwell should claim that he is the voice of all Christians.
"The process is there for everyone to use along with Fallow or against him," Goodman said. "That gives us all more freedom." He believed in instead of just complaining.
HOLLOMON ALSO SEES no problem with Rev. Falwell's involvement in politics. He said he believes that if the Moral Majority feels they have to band together to get an elected official defeated at the polls, that is their right.
"I really see nothing wrong with it. If you feel an elected official is not represent the people the way he is, then he should be replaced," Holomon said.
Prior to the recent "I Love America" rally in Topeka several months ago, Hollomon received an invitation to sit with the governor and his wife because he has served the last three sessions as the chaplain for the Kansas Senate and he did not want his involvement to be misunderstood. He also said that he would be identified with Failwell's movement.
A MAJOR DIFFERENCE between Falwell and some Lawrence ministers includes his commitment to his following. Fletcher said his disagreement with Falwell's thinking finds his relationship inside the church.
In his church, the emphasis is more toward membership and less on beliefs. Fletcher said. He said he thinks it is imperative to relate to the group, while most of Falwell's ministry involves beliefs.
Fletcher said those that follow the ministry on television are usually not involved in their own congregation. He said he would like to see Falwell promote more involvement in the church.
Fletcher believes that Fallwell will draw to criticism from what he calls the "thinking miners" because Rev. Fallwell's approach is the fundamental gospel of the right. He thinks making people can see through Fallwell.
SWEDISH SHOP
Scandinavian Imports
Holiday Plaza 25th
Clog Sandals $38^{00}$ pair brown or white
Summer Wear for Women Just in from Sweden
Hours 10-6 daily Closed Sundays
Sale ends July 15
20/20 SALE!!!
$20 OFF Prescription Glasses 20%OFF Nonprescription Sunglasses
841-1113 4 E. 7th St.
BACK TO SCHOOL SALE
Perfect for summer in Lawrence Exclusively from MISTER GUY for Men and Women
SHIRTS
reg. $23.50 -$24.50
ALL dress and casual PANTS 10% OFF
Knit Shirts reg. $21.50 short-sleeved NOW $16.50
BARACUDA style reg. $39.50 Golf Jackets NOW $28.50
SUITS values to $210.00 NOW $110.00 - $159.50
HOURS:
M-T-W-F-Sat 9:30-6:00
Th 9:30-8:30
Sun 1:00-5:00
SKIRTS by Breeches values to $46.00 NOW 20% OFF
SLACKS by Breeches values to $42.00 NOW 20% OFF
Su
COTTON SWEATERS
in five colors
values to $28.50
NOW $22.50
KNIT SHIRTS values to $25.00 NOW $19.50
920 Mass
842-2700