The Office of the President has issued a new policy that prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence, provides support for victims and outlines training for faculty, staff and students. It builds on the university’s current sexual harassment policy and conforms to requirements in the federal Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), which President Obama signed into law last spring.
VAWA requires institutions, including UC, to comply with new regulations about responding to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
"We have no tolerance for these crimes and welcome the opportunity to standardize, and clarify, our policies and procedures against them," said UC President Janet Napolitano.
The new policy, which applies to the entire UC community, identifies procedures for reporting and investigating an incident, outlines sanctions against the perpetrator that may be imposed after disciplinary proceedings, protects a victim’s confidentiality, as well as provides information on victims’ rights, support services, and requests for accommodation. The policy also provides for the training of students, faculty, staff, and for those who investigate and conduct hearings.
Representatives from Academic Personnel, Human Resources, Student Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, and Title IX offices have worked diligently to modify our existing sexual harassment policy in order to meet the federally mandated requirement to comply by March 7, 2014.
The policy will continue to evolve in response to the thoughtful and substantive comments UC has received during the review process as well as to continue to address federal and state mandates and/or guidance.
Questions about the policy should be directed to Ricardo Alcaino, Title IX coordinator and director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment, at ricardo.alcaino@ucsb.edu or at ext. 4504.
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