>>> <president@wlu.edu> 9/6/2007 11:55 AM >>>
From president@wlu.edu, submitted by: Tudy Morris

** This message was distributed by the Broadcast Mailer at W&L **


WASHINGTON AND LEE
UNIVERSITY
Lexington, Virginia 24450-0303

Office of the President
(540) 458-8700
September 6, 2007


To the Faculty, Staff and Students:

At the beginning of the academic year, it is customary for me as
President to inform the community of our policies and procedures
regarding prohibited discrimination, harassment, retaliation and
sexual misconduct. I encourage everyone to become familiar with their
contents. Summaries and links are included at the end of this message;
That notice is attached, I am also sending a hard copy to staff
members without e-mail.

But formal announcements and descriptions of our policies can obscure
the deeper, even more significant messages about our values. Respect
for each other is a cornerstone of this community respect that is not
based on one's status within the community, one's race, one's gender
or one's sexual orientation. We share a common humanity; and that
shared humanity obligates us to tolerate whatever differences we may
have with each other. That goes beyond simply accepting those
differences. We should be mindful of the benefit each of us derives
from working alongside individuals with unique talents, strengths and
backgrounds. One of the most remarkable characteristics of an academic
community is the opportunity to learn from others who see the world
differently.

At Washington and Lee, we have high standards for civility and
respect. Living up to them requires a conscious and deliberate effort
to understand our obligations and to show our care and concern for
each other. As you read the attached document policies, which provides
guidance on what we can and should do when we fail to live up to our
standards, I ask you to rededicate yourself to our fundamental values.
Avoidance of sanctions is a less compelling motivation than a positive
embrace of our highest aspirations.

I call your attention to the words of the University's mission
statement.:
"Washington and Lee University has two preeminent objectives: to
dedicate all its resources to developing in its students the capacity
and desire to learn, to understand, and to share the fruits of their
intellectual growth, and to pursue its educational mission in a
climate of learning that stresses the importance of the individual,
personal honor and integrity, harmonious relationships with others,
and the responsibility to serve society through the productive use of
talent and training." 

The important words in that statement for me regarding our community
are, "A climate of learning that stresses the importance of the
individual, personal honor and integrity, harmonious relationships
with others."

Sincerely,

Kenneth P. Ruscio


Washington and Lee University prohibits discrimination, including
harassment, on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic
origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran's status
in its educational programs and activities and with regard to
employment.  W&L also prohibits retaliation by individuals or
organizations against a complainant or anyone involved in the
complaint process.

The University Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and
Retaliation may be found at: 
http://counsel.wlu.edu/policy/discrim.htm    
(regarding complaints against faculty, staff, and third parties).

The University Policy on Prohibited Student Discrimination, Harassment
and Sexual Misconduct may be found at: 
http://counsel.wlu.edu/policy/studiscrim.htm
(regarding complaints against students).

Complaints of harassment, discrimination or retaliation against a
faculty or staff member should be brought to the attention of any
Designated Officer (Provost Aprille, Deans Dobin, Smolla, Peppers and
Watkins; Associate Deans Evans, Ikeda, Knapp, Danforth and Straughan;
Steve McAllister, Interim Director of Human Resources; or Beth
Belmont, the University Student Mediator).  You may also bring a
complaint to a Confidential and Impartial Resolution Resource (persons
identified below) if this contact seems more comfortable.  The CAIR
contact will then communicate with the appropriate Designated Officer. 

Claims of discrimination, harassment or sexual misconduct against a
student should be brought to the attention of any CAIR contact (Tammy
Futrell, Ted DeLaney, Jan Hathorn, Brian Murchison. David Novack, Amy
Richwine, Jason Rodocker, Joel Shinofield and Dana Smith).
Alternatively, you may bring a complaint under this policy to a
Designated Officer if that contact seems more comfortable.  Finally,
the complaint may be taken directly to the Student Faculty Hearing
Board if you are confident you wish to seek a campus judicial remedy.
In this case, contact a Designated Officer or member of the SFHB.
David Bruck is the faculty chair, and Margaret Elkins is the student
chair of SFHB. Information about the CAIR Resource Program can be
found linked to the Student Life Web site:
http://studentaffairs.wlu.edu/deanofstudents/CAIRresources.htm

If you believe that you have been harassed, sexually assaulted or
discriminated against or if you have been accused of violating the
University policy prohibiting such conduct, CAIR contacts can:

-ASSIST YOU IN UNDERSTANDING the University policy prohibiting
discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct.
-EXPLAIN YOUR OPTIONS for informal or formal resolution of complaints
of harassment or discrimination.
-FACILITATE MUTUALLY DESIRED COMMUNICATION between those who feel they
have been subjected to harassing or discriminatory conduct, and those
accused of that conduct.
-PROVIDE CONFIDENTIAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES for those who
jointly seek an alternative to formal disciplinary investigation and
proceedings.

If requested, CAIR contacts may:

-Receive reports from students who are concerned about conduct that
may violate the University's policy.
-Receive reports from students who are concerned about accusations
that have been made regarding possible violations of the University's
policy.
-Take an oral or written statement from a complainant.
-Contact the respondent, and either take that person's oral or written
statement or refer that person to another CAIR Resource.
-Assist with the informal resolution of a complaint.
-Assist in initiating professional mediation.
-Assist in initiating a formal hearing via the SFHB.
-Inform students about how to file charges with local law enforcement
authorities.
-Inform students about local support services (e.g., counseling,
health care).
-Work with Designated Officers (resources for the University policy
governing faculty and staff) as needed in informally resolving
complaints against faculty and staff.

Informal complaint resolution can take many forms, and could include
the CAIR contact:

-Receiving a report or complaint without taking further action.
-Speaking to a respondent on behalf of a complainant.
-Performing shuttle diplomacy between a complainant and respondent.
-Guiding a mediated discussion between a complainant and respondent.

Informal Resolution attempts do NOT eliminate other options under our
policy, such as:

-Working with a University mediator.
-Taking a case to the SFHB.
-Filing charges with local law enforcement.

Note that the CAIR program does not require that a complainant and a
respondent rely upon the same CAIR contact. A respondent may choose
his or her own CAIR Resource to aid him or her in understanding and
responding to a complaint. In an effort to ensure that all students
have access to CAIR personnel with whom they will feel comfortable,
the Provost of the University has invited a diverse group of
individuals to serve as CAIR Resources (for example, men, women,
members of underrepresented groups, faculty, and staff).

Finally, if a Designated Officer or CAIR Resource is not available, or
an individual needs an alternative forum for bringing forward an
alleged violation of one of these University policies, complainants
may utilize the University's Whistleblower Policy.  See
http://counsel.wlu.edu/policy/whistleblower.htm.

University policies periodically undergo review and revision to make
them more effective in handling these types of cases. We will
communicate with the community again when changes are made.

On behalf of the entire University community, I want to thank all of
those who serve the campus community as CAIR contacts and Designated
Officers.  All of us should seek out these individuals with any
questions or concerns.  W&L takes seriously its commitment to provide
a workplace and learning environment reflecting its guiding principle
of civility. Every member of our community deserves respect from all
other members. No one should be subject to unjust, prohibited
discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual misconduct.