The University has a adopted an interim policy that addresses sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. A copy of that policy can be found at http://sexualassault.utk.edu The interim policy describes prohibited conduct for students, faculty, and staff; explains multiple options for reporting sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; sets forth the procedures the University will follow for promptly, thoroughly, and equitably investigating and resolving reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking in order to eliminate the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on a complainant or the University community; identifies resources for complainants; and describes the University’s prevention and awareness programs relating to sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
Important note for Graduate Teaching Assistants and Associates:
The policy requires certain University employees, called Responsible Employees, to report information they receive concerning Sexual Misconduct or Relationship Violence to the University in accordance with Section VII of the policy.
As a Graduate Teaching Assistant or Associate (GTA) you are not required to report such information, “unless the Complainant is a student of the graduate teaching assistant” (Interim Policy, p. 55, emphasis added). That means if the Complainant is a student in the class you are teaching, you are a Responsible Employee and have to report.
Jennifer Richter, Interim Director of the Office for Equity and Diversity, notes:
“Graduate Teaching Assistants are responsible employees when the complainant is a student in the GTA’s class, and the student reports it to the GTA. In that instance (where the GTA is the “teacher-professor,”), it is very likely that the student reporting the problem perceives the GTA to be someone who could take steps to do something about it, even when the offender is not also in the class.”
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the policy and procedures.
Thank you for doing everything you can to stop sexual misconduct and relationship violence!
Lars