Graduation Issue University of Central Oklahoma
THURSDAY April 28, 1994
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The Student Voice Since 1903
Professors discuss sexual harassment By Roy Howe Staff Writer Like never before and due to the increasing number of lawsuits, graduating students now entering the work force must sensitize themselves to sexual harassment issues. People may think the rise in harassment complaints is due to Anita Hill's nationwide testimony during the Clarence Thomas senate conformation hearings, but Tom Guild, University of Central Oklahoma business professor, says that may not be the case. Guild has researched and helped author a publication about sexual harassment and
said he personally feels Hill's testimony is not the main reason behind the recent complaints. "I think the reason we have more sexual harassment and more publicity in the media on the issue today has little to do with Thomas and Hill," Guild said. "I think it's caused by the general lack of civility today in our society," Guild said. "We don't treat each other as well as we should and a lot of that has to do, in my opinion, with the continuing deterioration and decay of the American family unit." Guild said proper behavior is not learned by young people nowadays because of a lack of mentors. "The kids don't have the role models to
teach the boundaries of appropriate behavior, and they are carrying that into the workplace." Another misconception surrounds those affected by sexual harassment. "Sexual harassment affects people," said Lewis Irving, professor of sociology. "Harassment is not just from men to women," he said. "It's also from women to men, men to men and women to women. "The society's basic idea is that it is males harassing females, and that is not the case." Irving said he is aware of male students on campus who were harassed by other male students because they are homosexual. Irving also explained that he had a woman
Graduation ceremonies approaching By Anthony Tompkins Staff Writer
Senior Julie Ann Zehr tries on a cap at the University Center in preparation for graduation. (Photo by Ken Kappen)
The University of Central Oklahoma will hold its spring 1994 graduation ceremonies May 13-14 in the Hamilton Field House. Ceremonies will be held for 1,508 students from the four colleges, said Ken Young, director of Degree Certification and Veterans' Affairs at UCO. Ceremonies for the College of Education will be held at 7 p.m. May 13, said Young. Graduation ceremonies conclude on May 14 with the College of B usiness Administration at 10 a.m., the College of Mathematics and Science at 1 p.m. and the College of Liberal Arts at 4 p.m., said Young. "Any student who is planning to graduate but has not been notified needs to contact me as soon as possible," said Young. The names of students who have not applied will not appear in the graduation program, and they will not be able to attend the President's Graduation Dinner, said Young. Students who have questions about their graduation status can contact the Office of Degree Certification and Veterans' Affairs, 341-2980, Ext. 2392.
grab his breast, claiming "yours are bigger than mine." Guild said a 1993 poll of 400 female executives showed that 27 percent had experienced sexual harassment first hand. He said that out of the 27 percent, only 25 percent reported the act to their employer. "You'llnotice," Guild said, "they did not ask male employees about harassment, because they assume it doesn't happen." A person may consider an act harassment when in fact it is not, Guild said. There are two types of sexual harassment recognized by the federal courts: Quid pro quo and hostile environment. The first requires a person to have supervisory power over the person who is harassed. This would require a person to ask for sexual favors in exchange for advancement on the job. The latter, hostile environment, involves remarks or behavior which are of a sexual nature and considers whether these remarks and behaviors are hostile or offensive in the working environment. These remarks or behavior must affect or interfere with the person's conditions of employment or the person's work performance and must meet two requirements: Subjective, where the complaining victim perceives the environment to be abusive, and objective, which takes into account whether a reasonable person would also feel the conduct is severe enough to be abusive in the work environment. "The majority of harassing statements or actions are diffused at that point and time," Guild said. "Every now and then, you'll have to find another way to deal with it," he said. "There are certain situations where it is so dramatic that it must be taken to a higher authority." To stray from sexual harassment, Irving and Guild offer several suggestions. "Treat a person as a human being and not as a sexual object," Irving said. V See HARASSMENT, Page 5
INSIDE TODAY Editorial 2 Letters 2 World Wrap 8 Around Campus .... 1 9 Comics 19
Moving Though most companies do not pay for moving expenses, graduates can still move at small expenses.
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Scene shop
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The UCO Costume and Scene Shop is a vital part of a play. For the play "Hamlet," employees created the costumes and set.
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Job tips A itspecialist peciatlist h
Career and Placement Services gives tips on resumes, interviewing and dress.