President Steven Leath is calling on all faculty and staff to complete online training on discrimination and harassment and Title IX over the next couple of months.
"Iowa State has a fine reputation as a welcoming university," Leath said. "But we can always do better. We have a new training module that will help all of us understand what constitutes harassment and discrimination and what we can do to stop it."
Robin Kelley, director of the office of equal opportunity (OEO), in collaboration with Workplace Answers and campus stakeholders, customized an online training module, which covers both federal laws and university policies.
Training will be available beginning Dec. 3, when faculty and staff will receive an email from OEO with a brief statement about the program and a unique link to their assigned course or courses. To start sessions, participants will click on the link provided in the email from OEO.
The training will cover:
- Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, and Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- ISU's discrimination and harassment policy
- ISU's policy on sexual misconduct, assault and sexual harassment involving students
- What do to upon encountering discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, or prohibited conduct. Case studies, many based on real situations, will depict typical incidents that could occur on a university campus, and interactive exercises will help reinforce learning.
"Each training course takes about 40 minutes, but individuals can spread it over as many sessions as they'd like," Kelley said. "It's really convenient. You can start and stop the training at will. However, we do ask that everyone complete the training module within 60 days."
Periodic email reminders will be sent to those who haven't finished the training, she added.
"This training is important," Kelley said. "It's one of the ways that we can ensure that Iowa State is a supportive and inclusive working and learning environment for all. Remaining open and welcoming to all is part of our land-grant mission."
