Sexual Harassment Policy
Sexual harassment is an affront to human dignity and fundamentally at odds with the values of Canisius. As an educational institution with a long-standing Jesuit tradition, we do not condone or tolerate any verbal or physical conduct which would constitute sexual harassment of any member of the college community.
What is Sexual Harassment?
The United States Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidelines state that unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
- Submission to such conduct is an explicit or implicit term or condition of an individual’s employment or condition of a special status relationship,
- Or submission to or rejection of such individual is used as a basis for decisions affecting the special status relationship,
- Or such conduct has purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
- Help the complainant determine if the perception of sexual harassment is valid.
- Discuss possible methods the complainant could take to eliminate the unwanted conduct.
- Outline other options available to the complainant which will include the informal and formal procedures.
Dr. Ellen Conley Ext. 2130
Ms. Lilly A. Adams-Dudley Ext. 2575
Mr. Curtis C. Gaume Ext. 2300
Dr. Edward Kisailus Ext. 2558
Ms. Mary Koehneke Ext. 2300
Dr. Erin Robinson Ext. 2748
Dr. Peter Schaber Ext. 2351
Mr. Brian Smith Ext. 2190
What is Racism or Bias?
Discrimination or harassment that involves race, ethnicity, nationality, physical disabilities, gender or sexual orientation is exhibited in the following types of behaviors:
- Stereotyping individuals because they are members of racial, religious or ethnic groups, or because of their gender, sexual orientation or physical disabilities
- Telling or laughing at jokes that ridicule members of the above noted groups
- Intentionally excluding or ignoring individuals from different racial, religious or ethnic groups, or because of gender, sexual orientation or disabilities when planning study groups, organizational activities or campus programs.
- Discrediting the abilities or achievements of individuals from different backgrounds than your own.
- Harassing individuals because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality or ethnicity.
If you feel that you have been the victim of bias, racism or harassment, please contact one of the counselors listed. This counselor’s role is to help you develop a strategy for ending incidents of bias, racism or harassment. All meetings with a counselor are confidential.
The counselor can assist you in several ways:
- Help you decide if you have been the victim of racism or bias.
- Discuss actions you can take to try to stop the objectionable behavior.
- Help you write a letter to the person whose behavior you find objectionable
- Speak with the person you believe is behaving in a discriminatory manner, if you think that would be a good idea.
- Put you in touch with someone who can help you stop the discrimination.
- Arrange a meeting with you and the person of concern to discuss the matter. Your counselor can be present at this meeting if you wish.
- Explain what steps you can take to initiate a formal complaint process.
- Help you prepare a formal written complaint.
- Please be assured that you are protected from any form of retaliation. Should retaliation occur, action will be taken against the offending party.
Ellen Conley 716-888-2130
Old Main 102 conley@canisius.edu
Vice President for Student Affairs; Director/Bias, Racism and Harassment Prevention and Response Counselors
General & Sexual Orientation Bias Counselors
Sue Fischer 716-888-2420
Old Main 213 fischers@canisius.edu
Associate Campus Minister/Coordinator of Retreats
Rhonda Hands 716-888-3283
Student Center 201 dyesshar@canisius.edu
Counselor / Academic Talent Search
Katie Martoche 716-888-2190
Student Center LL martochk@canisius.edu
Assistant Director/Campus Programming &
Leadership Development
Erin Robinson 716-888-2748
Old Main 014B robinso5@canisius.edu
Associate Professor/Sociology/Anthropology
Craig Rogers 716-888-2672
Old Main 003 rogersc@canisius.edu
Associate Professor/Economics/Finance
Brian Smith 716-888-2190
Student Center LL smith@canisius.edu
Director/Leadership Development
Rev. Michael Tunney, S.J. 716-888-3752
Lyons Hall 408 tunneym@canisius.edu
Professor/Fine Arts/Studio Art; Director/Studio Arts Program; Rector/Jesuit Community
Racial Bias Prevention & Response Counselors
Lilly Adams-Dudley 716-888-2575
Old Main 101 adamsl@canisius.edu
Associate Dean/Director of COPE & Academic Talent Search
George Boger 716-888-2339
Churchill Tower 719 boger@canisius.edu
Chair/Philosophy
Patricia Brady, SSMN 716-888-2177
Old Main 005 bradyp@cansius.edu
Director/Community-Based Learning
Patricia Christian 716-888-2878
Old Main 014C christia@canisius.edu
Associate Professor/Sociology/Anthropology/Criminal Justice
Al Pilato 716-888-8300
Dugan Residence Hall LL pilato1@canisius.edu
Associate Director/Residence Life
Disability Bias Response Counselors
Anne Marie Dobies 716-888-3748
Old Main 004 dobies@canisius.edu
Associate Dean/Director
Student Academic Support Services
Christine Moll 716-888-3287
Churchill Tower 815 moll@canisius.edu
Chair/Counseling & Human Services
Lynn Fish 716-888-2642
Churchill Tower 512 fishl@canisius.edu
Professor/Management/Marketing
Patricia Hutton 716-888-2673
Churchill Tower 307 hutton@canisius.edu
Professor/Economics/Finance
Sexual Misconduct Statement
All forms of sexual misconduct includes any form of unwanted sexual contact and/or exploitation. “Unwanted” means against a person’s wishes or without consent and includes those instances in which the individual is coerced or unable to give consent because of sleep, unconsciousness, impairment or intoxication. A “no” or absence of resistance is not required to prevent sexual contact; whereas a verbal or nonverbal “yes” is required to permit sexual contact. A victim of a sexual assault should:
1. Ger To A Safe Place And Call Someone Trusted.
2. Call 711 (on-campus) or 888-2330 (off-campus). This will alert Public Safety to the alleged offense, who in turn can contact other resources. Victims may also contact the Buffalo Police at 911 or 851-4494.
3. Ger Medical Attention Immediately.
It is extremely important that the victim seek medical attention immediately. In addition to treating injuries, a prompt medical examination will test for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. A medical examination can secure valuable evidence that can be used later should the victim wish to have the assailant prosecuted. If requested, someone will accompany the victim to the hospital.
The victim should not drink, bathe, douche, brush teeth, change clothing or
comb hair. It is only natural to want to do these things, but doing so may destroy evidence. In the course of the medical examination, the hospital staff will collect this evidence. If changing clothes is necessary, clothing worn during the assault should be placed in a paper bag.
4. Seek Counseling.
Regardless of whether the assault is reported, it is often helpful to seek counseling for the traumatic experience.
The Counseling Center (888-2620),
The Student Health Center (888-2610), Campus Ministry (888-2420), or off-campus, Crisis Services (834-3131) are good sources of support.
5. Document The Incident.
A victim, as soon as possible, should write down every detail about the incident, including: who, what, when, where, and how.
- At the first opportunity, the above information should be brought to the attention of Public Safety or one of the resources listed.
- If the Buffalo Police Department is to be involved and criminal charges filed, the above information is crucial.
The decision as to prosecute the suspect and/ or initiate internal judicial proceedings lies with the victim.
Judicial Process – External
If the victim wishes to have the assailant prosecuted, the police and the district attorney’s office will handle the legal proceedings.
Judicial Process – Internal
If the perpetrator is a member of the College community, the victim also has the option to file a complaint through the College’s disciplinary systems. Any campus proceeding will be handled with sensitivity and with respect for confidentiality, and both the complainant and the respondent are entitled to have an advisor present during the hearing. At the conclusion of the internal judicial hearing, both the complainant and the respondent shall be informed of the outcome (decision and sanction) of the hearing. Sanctions that may be imposed may range from a formal warning to expulsion from the College. Detailed procedures concerning the campus disciplinary hearings, including the rights of the complainant and respondent are contained in the Community Standards.
Whether the victim chooses the external or internal process, a College representative will be available to assist throughout the process including providing transportation to off-campus sites.
Anonymous Reporting
If the victim does not want to pursue action within the College system or the criminal justice system at this time, she/he may still want to consider having an anonymous report made. A member of the Counseling Center (888-2620), Student Health Center (888-2610) or Campus Ministry (888-2420) can report the details to Public Safety without revealing the identity of the victim. The purpose of an anonymous report is to comply with the victim’s wish to keep the matter private while taking steps to ensure future safety for the victim and others. With such information, the College can keep accurate records about the number of assaults involving students, determine whether there is a pattern of assaults with regard to particular location, method, or assailant, and alert the campus community to potential danger.
Accomodations
Academic and living arrangements can be made to accommodate the victim’s needs. For example, if the victim and the accused are in the same class or residence hall, arrangements will be made to separate the two.