Recent court decisions and federal guidelines make it clear that school districts must take action to protect gay students. Eleven states have laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Attorneys recommend defining sexual-orientation discrimination, along with other types of discrimination, in nondiscrimination policies,…

As in most workplaces, sexual harassment has been an issue of significant magnitude in educational institutions as well. It has left the education community with many questions about what constitutes sexual harassment, how to prevent it, and how to deal with the legal problems that may arise concerning it. This report dispels several myths about…

This booklet presents a revision of the American Council on Education policy statement regarding sexual harassment in light of legal developments that have occurred since the original publication of the statement in December 1986. Among the changes in the statement is the inclusion of a non-exhaustive list of conduct which has great potential to…

This pamphlet abstracts from the National Association of College and University Attorneys'"Sexual Harassment on Campus: A Legal Compendium," Third Edition, suggestions for administrators and others on conducting an appropriate and timely sexual harassment investigation. Specific topics covered are: (1) "Conducting an Appropriate and Timely…

The Supreme Court decision in "Davis" added a fiscal incentive to school districts to prevent peer sexual harassment by ruling that educational institutions that show deliberate indifference to known harassment between students may be liable for the resultant damages. (Contains 212 references.) (MLF)

Date and acquaintance rape may be more prevalent on college campuses than in other environments, and colleges are struggling to confront the issue. Sexism and racism contribute to underreporting of and misconceptions about sexual abuse in college settings. Policies, programs, and procedures for combating sexual assaults on campus are recommended.…

Comparison of undergraduate student survey results of 1983, 1986, and 1989 at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst) indicate that reports of faculty/staff sexual harassment of female undergraduates have declined over the past six years. Analysis suggests that the sexual harassment policy and grievance procedure established in 1982 have been…

Teachers have a special trust with students that includes not taking advantage of or abusing them. To ensure that sexual abuse is handled correctly in the school system, a policy must be adopted that requires employees to report incidences of abuse and make sure that the reporting requirement is balanced against the accused individual's rights.…

Sexual harassment of students by their teachers, teaching fellows, professors, school administrators, and peers is a growing problem in the educational institutions of the United States. Offers a legal framework for analyzing the problem with a review of the literature, legal arguments based on federal legislation, and analysis of the principles…

This report, which is the result of an examination of New Jersey's public education system, contends that the state has not been completely successful in providing an educational atmosphere free from sex bias. The report reviews federal and state legislation, and law, policy, and research in the areas of sexual harassment, teacher training and…

This document, part of the Wellesley College (Massachusetts) Center for Research on Women's working papers series, examines the issue of sexual harassment in education. The report explores a number of incidents in which female students have been the targets of unwanted sexual comments, advances, and assaults. Much of the school-based harassment is…

In its June 1998 "Gebser" decision, the U.S. Supreme Court virtually eliminated the strategy of suing school districts in cases where students have been sexually harassed by school employees. Summarizes the majority position in the 5-4 decision and presents Justice Stevens's main dissenting opinion. Unresolved is the sexual harassment of…

Students who are sexually abused by school employees may file a claim in federal court under Title 42, Section 1983, of the U.S. Code, alleging that school officials violated their federal constitutional or statutory rights. Discusses the affirmative defense of qualified immunity, and theories under which students may recover monetary…

A project at Stanford University Medical School (California) was undertaken to train students to deal effectively with sexism and to promote change by increasing sensitivity of university leaders. Training involved sexual harassment workshops for medical students and faculty, and leadership retreats for deans and chairpersons. Five workshops were…

This interim report summarizes the progress and future directions of the Gender Equity Plans submitted by Washington State's public four-year universities and colleges, and its community college system. The report represents a monitoring of institutional and system efforts to address issues of gender equity affecting students in the areas…