Last month, I reported that a change proposed to the University of West Florida Student Code of Conduct appeared to make it okay to sexually harass LGBTQ+ students and faculty.
- The code changes were to be discussed during the Student Affairs Committee meeting on August 14, but the meeting was canceled last August 13. Instead, Dr. Mary Anderson, Interim Vice President of the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs, has proposed the changes without holding a public meeting. See Notice.
The public was given 14 days of the notice, dated August 20, to submit their concerns to the Office of General Counsel. After that deadline, UWF has several options:
- Solicit additional written comments,
- Schedule a public hearing,
- Withdraw or modify the proposal, in whole or in part, or
- Proceed with adopting the amendment.
Option 2
The Student Government Association and the Dean of Students Office are hosting a Town Hall meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 29, in the UWF Conference Center (Building 22) ballroom A/B.
- Announced Purpose: To “serve as a forum to provide information about the recommended revisions to the Student Code of Conduct.”
The meeting is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public.
Public Comments Received
On Sept. 4, Inweekly requested from the Office of General Counsel the comments received on the proposed changes to the Student Code of Conduct. Six days, we received notice that we needed to pay $70.86 “due to the nature or volume of the requested records, extensive use of resources will be required to respond to your request.”
- We paid the deposit on Sept. 11 and have not received the public records.
UPDATE:
Background
Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity No Longer a Basis
The University of West Florida administration wants to redefine sexual harassment in its Student Code of Conduct, stating that it is unwelcome conduct on the basis of sex. The new definition deletes references to unwelcome conduct based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. It adds that the unwelcome conduct must be “as defined and prohibited by applicable federal and state law. See Harassment
The conduct must no longer be “sufficiently severe or pervasive so that it alters the terms and conditions of the Complainant’s employment or educational environment.”
- The new definition states the conduct must be “so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive so that is unreasonably denies the Complainant equal access to the University’s education program or activity.”
The full text of the proposed amendment and existing regulation is also posted on UWF’s website: https://uwf.edu/offices/board-of-trustees/regulations/
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