- "Approaching the problem with empathy and understanding can
lead to its resolution, often informally and to the satisfaction of all,"
(Marilyn Mackenzie, "Sexual Harassment and Women Students," Journal of
International Education January/February 1988,p.l1). Harassment policies in
Canadian universities typically offer two mechanisms for institutional redress
in situations of harassment or discriminatory treatment: an informal,
mediation-model complaint procedure and a formal written complaint procedure.
It appears as if most complaints are resolved by a mediation model. The
University of Victoria's Annual Report to the President on Equity Issues (1993)
notes that of 336 reported incidents of sexual an general harassment, only five
were "resolved" by the formal complaint procedures. All B.C. policies are
designed to present the informal mechanism first and then proceed to a formal
investigation or hearing process if the complaint is not resolved by mediation.
- David Strong, Letter to the Editor, "Review Ordered in 'war
of sexes'" Times Colonist May 3,1993, p.A5. Also, during the
Pirie/Callahan appointment on the concerns and expectations of the EMTF: "[T.
Morley] said that their primary concern was that there should be an
investigation, both of the handling of the report itself and of the claims of
misconduct by unidentified students against unnamed faculty, and 'that seems to
be beginning'" (Deborah Wilson, "Sexual-politics battle rages in university,
Victoria professors under fire from women students," The Globe and Mail
April 19, 1993, p.A1-A2).
- "The irony of this kind of silencing and hostile backlash in
response to a report on 'making the department more supportive to women' is, I
trust not lost on most. ... [It is not possible for the CCC] to pressure any of
the women students, on whose (necessarily confidential) testimony the report
relied, to go to official University channels with their grievances" (Radhika
Desai, Letter to Editor, The Ring May 7,1993, p.2). The chair of
the department responded to Dr. Desai's letter as a "highly distorted
perspective" (Jeremy Wilson, Letter to Editor, The Ring May 26,1993,
p.2).
- Letter to Somer Brodribb, June 4, 1993 from Jeanne Laux,
Caroline Andrew, Gillian Creese, Roberta Hamilton, Daiva Stasiulis, Himani
Bannerji, James Sacouman, Barbara Neis: "As members of the board of Studies
in Political Economy we recently received a document by Warren Magnusson
entitled 'Feminism, McCarthyism and Sexist Fundamentalism'. We are writing to
let you know that we reject the misogynist values underpinning this document.
We also wish to affirm our support for all efforts to deal with the chilly
climate in universities." Published in the Chilly Climate Issue, The
Emily vol. II, no.3, Summer 1993, p.11 One of these documents was the focus
of a sexual harassment complaint which the equity office months later found
valid and which the president dismissed during the external review
process.
- "The male faculty favour a judicial inquiry," ("Harassment
report flops," Times Colonist May 15, 1993, p./A10); "Review Ordered in
'war of sexes ", (David Strong, Letter to the Editor, Times Colonist May
3, 1993, p.A5). Also, "Brodribb said there was a late effort to block her
tenure after the dispute broke. Some truth to that. Several professors, her
erstwhile tenure supporters, urged the administration to delay her tenure until
the dispute is resolved," (Trevor Lautens, "An all too familiar sacrifice," The
Vancouver Sun, January 4, 1993, p.A9).
- On May 17, 1993 the UVSS Board of Directors passed a series
of strongly supportive motions: (from preamble) "Whereas policy 93/ 03/29
states the UVSS supports the development and implementation of a mandatory
course or part of the curriculum focusing on issues around racism, sexism,
homophobia, and classism; and Whereas the Chilly Climate Committee, struck by
the Political Science Department, and comprised of three undergraduate, two
graduate women students, and one woman faculty member, in consultation with
other female students and faculty, reported that the department was not free
from sexism, racism, or sexual harassment and called for [these issues] to be
addressed within the curriculum, and identified many other issues which affect
students' ability to receive and participate in post-secondary education..."
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