2008 Woodie Awards
MU expands sexual assault education with Web site
Catherine Couretas
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: Front Page
Miami University may soon have another weapon against sexual harassment with the recent announcement of a potential online education program that would educate faculty, staff and possibly students about the dangers of sexual harassment.
Matthew Boaz, director of the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity, introduced the program at the Monday meeting of university senate.
The program will be directed toward new faculty and is part of the mission of the office to provide sexual harassment education programs and teach what qualifies as sexual harassment.
Boaz spoke with Miami President David Hodge about creating the program, and Hodge said that it could start as early as July 1, 2008.
"Hopefully this online training will reduce the number of sexual harassment cases that come through our office," Boaz said.
He added that right now, the program would only be required for new faculty and staff, and it would be up to each division to decide if current employees would have to go through the training as well.
Boaz said this type of training is necessary and putting it online will be convenient for all people involved.
"One way (to do this training) that's good and effective is to put it online,"Boaz said. "You can put someone online anywhere. It reduces disruption in anyone's normal schedule."
When asked how the program would be regulated, Boaz said that it would require users to log in. He suggested using one's unique ID or banner ID number.
"The company will be able to track who accesses and completes (the program)," Boaz said.
Including in the education program that Boaz is currently considering for faculty and staff is an option to also educate students for free.
"Students will be trained on the same program as faculty and staff," Boaz said. "The program can be customized for the different groups."
Boaz liked the idea of this program as a requirement for students.
"I think it would be a great idea for the students to have this kind of training," Boaz said. "They're at an impressionable age.
Matthew Boaz, director of the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity, introduced the program at the Monday meeting of university senate.
The program will be directed toward new faculty and is part of the mission of the office to provide sexual harassment education programs and teach what qualifies as sexual harassment.
Boaz spoke with Miami President David Hodge about creating the program, and Hodge said that it could start as early as July 1, 2008.
"Hopefully this online training will reduce the number of sexual harassment cases that come through our office," Boaz said.
He added that right now, the program would only be required for new faculty and staff, and it would be up to each division to decide if current employees would have to go through the training as well.
Boaz said this type of training is necessary and putting it online will be convenient for all people involved.
"One way (to do this training) that's good and effective is to put it online,"Boaz said. "You can put someone online anywhere. It reduces disruption in anyone's normal schedule."
When asked how the program would be regulated, Boaz said that it would require users to log in. He suggested using one's unique ID or banner ID number.
"The company will be able to track who accesses and completes (the program)," Boaz said.
Including in the education program that Boaz is currently considering for faculty and staff is an option to also educate students for free.
"Students will be trained on the same program as faculty and staff," Boaz said. "The program can be customized for the different groups."
Boaz liked the idea of this program as a requirement for students.
"I think it would be a great idea for the students to have this kind of training," Boaz said. "They're at an impressionable age.
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