December 2008
MEMORANDUM
To: All University Employees
From: Patrick V. Farrell, Provost
Re: I. Mandatory Sexual Assault Reporting
II. Sexual Harassment Information Project
The University of Wisconsin–Madison supports efforts to create a safe and positive campus climate for people to work and study. This memo provides information about our efforts in the area of sexual assaults and sexual harassment.
I. Mandatory Sexual Assault Reporting
One of the ways we measure our progress toward our goal of creating a safe and positive environment for work and study is to record and report incidents of sexual assault on campus and in the immediate surrounding areas.
Wisconsin law (Chapter 36.11(22), Wisconsin Statutes) requires that UW–Madison annually report to UW System Administration the number of sexual assaults that occurred on campus and in certain surrounding areas. For UW–Madison to comply with state law, we need the cooperation of all University employees.
The Office for Equity and Diversity (OED) is the designated campus office for receiving employee reports of sexual assault and compiling annual employee reports. The OED collaborates with the Dean of Students’ office, which collects student reports of sexual assault, to provide a comprehensive report annually to UW System. UW–Madison relies on reports from employees, students and other members of the University community to support the victims of these crimes and meet its legal obligations.
Office for Equity and Diversity
Room 179A Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Telephone: 608-263-2378
FAX: 608-263-5562
Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay Service, 7-1-1
The Offices of the Dean of Students (ODOS) have been designated to receive student reports of sexual assault and for compiling annual reports of student assaults.
Offices of the Dean of Students
75 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53706
Telephone: 608-263-5700
If you witness or receive a first-hand report of a sexual assault on the UW–Madison campus or in the immediate surrounding area, Wisconsin law requires that you report the sexual assault to university officials, specifically the OED or the ODOS.
Information about campus crime and other safety information can be found at the Safety Information website maintained by the Offices of the Dean of Students.
Please contact the Office for Equity and Diversity or the Dean of Students if you have any questions about these reporting requirements.
II. Sexual Harassment Information Project
The Sexual Harassment Information and Resources Project is an ongoing, comprehensive initiative to heighten campus awareness about sexual harassment issues and to increase our effectiveness in addressing this important campus concern. At information sessions available to any campus unit, we offer information about the law, university policies and campus resources, and provide advice on how to respond compassionately and effectively to sexual harassment concerns. Informational session attendance is required for all faculty and staff with limited appointments.
The Sexual Harassment Information and Resources Web site and companion brochure, Sexual Harassment: Defining and Addressing a Community Concern, explain the University of Wisconsin–Madison's policies on sexual harassment and consensual romantic or sexual relationships. They provide information and guidance on what to do if you are harassed, accused of harassment, or contacted by someone who believes he or she has been harassed. In addition, they highlight the responsibilities of individuals in positions of authority (principal investigators, supervisors, managers, department chairs, directors, and deans).
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to prevention and will take prompt and appropriate action whenever it learns that sexual harassment has occurred. You are encouraged to report incidents or concerns to your supervisor, manager, department chair, director, or dean for appropriate action and resolution. Sexual harassment (and other prohibited harassment or discrimination) also may be reported to the Office for Equity and Diversity. Our Sexual Harassment Information and Resources Web site provides names and contact information of additional campus resources. You may contact any of these resources for information and assistance.
Please address questions about our informational materials or this campuswide sexual harassment information and resources project to Luis Piñero, Assistant Vice Provost for Workforce Equity and Diversity/Director, Office for Equity and Diversity, lapinero@vc.wisc.edu, 263-2378.
If you wish to schedule a sexual harassment information session for your unit, please contact Pat Carol, in the Office of the Provost, at plcarol@wisc.edu or 262-5246.