TO THE EDITOR:
I’m going to argue for a revision of UNC’s sexual harassment policy to be more intelligent, or at least spark some debate on it.
UNC’s policy qualifies as sexual harassment, among other things, any conduct which has the “effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.” Sound good? It’s great for dealing with direct actions, i.e., when someone says or does something to another, but horrible at indirect actions.
I get it. If I stare at women they think I’m creepy. I think they should have to tell me to stop before it’s harassment, however. What if athletes started to report all the people who stare at them while they work out for sexual harassment? Males, ever had an attractive young lady walk into class wearing something overly sexual? Does that interfere with your academic performance?
Yeah, it does. It’s medically proven. Falls under “blood loss.” That’s sexual harassment.
I even know a number of people who are made severely uncomfortable by open homosexuals.
I know some people will argue that the term “reasonable” negates the first and last of my cases, but reasonable is entirely subjective when only one person’s perspective is taken into account.
Conclusion: Let’s develop a rational and fair policy where, for indirect actions, you have to ask somebody to stop or move away from you.
Ryan C. Jenkins
Class of ’08
