SUBJECT:

Formal Review and Comment Period Regarding University Policy on Sexual Harassment

As a result of the Violence against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), signed by President Obama on March 7, 2013, the University's Policy on Sexual Harassment is undergoing a formal review.

Academics, Staff and Students who wish to provide comments may submit them to ophd@ucsd.edu by January 14, 2014.

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the University community should be aware that the University prohibits sexual harassment and sexual violence, and that such behavior violates both law and University policy.

VAWA will take effect on March 7, 2014, and includes several provisions to improve and expand how institutions address domestic and sexual violence. Some of the changes applicable to the University of California include:

*Reporting campus crime statistics beyond the crime categories the Clery Act already mandates, to include incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as crimes motivated by national origin and gender identity,

*Providing primary prevention and awareness programs for incoming students and new employees, in addition to ongoing education programs to promote awareness of rape, acquaintance rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,

*Conducting annual training for personnel who investigate and review asserted offenses, and

*Adopting policy to address and prevent campus sexual violence.

You can read the revised policy at: http://atyourservice.ucop.edu/employees/policies_employee_labor_relations/proposed_policies/prop_rev_policies.html

Lori Chamberlain Director Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination