Dean Jeffrey S. Flier discussed the meeting agenda. He said that last year the University released the University-Wide Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy, applicable to all Harvard faculty, staff and students. At the same time, the University issued Procedures for Handling Complaints Involving Students Pursuant to the Sexual and Gender-Based Dispute Resolution, managed by a central administrative body of trained investigators reporting to the University’s Title IX coordinator.
Dean Flier noted that each school is responsible for establishing procedures for handling alleged policy violations by its faculty. In November 2014, the Faculty of Medicine adopted interim procedures for handling complaints. Last April, the Faculty of Medicine Title IX Review Committee was established, chaired by James Hogle. Joining him on the Committee were Anne Becker, Jonathan Cohen, John da Silva, Nancy Keating, Carol Bates, Maureen Connelly, Gretchen Brodnicki, Simone Leary and Julie Stanley. Members of the committee were invited to today’s meeting to share the committee’s work and recommendations for handling complaints against HMS faculty.
Dean Flier introduced Jennifer Ryan, director of the Office of Academic and Research Integrity, who introduced the other members of the panel: Carol Bates, associate dean of faculty affairs and faculty Title IX coordinator; James Hogle, chair, Title IX Procedures Review Committee; Julie Stanley, chief human resources officer; and Heather Quay, university attorney.
Ryan explained that the Title IX policy addresses sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination and sexual violence. Sexual violence includes attempted or completedrape or sexual assault, as well as sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism, exhibitionism, verbal or physical sexuality-based threats or abuse, and intimate partner violence. She said that Harvard University, a recipient of federal funds, is required to investigate infractions under this policy, which covers participation in all University operations and programs by students, faculty, staff and third parties.
The HMS Faculty Review Committee was charged with the development of Title IX procedures for the Faculty of Medicine. The committee met seven times between April and October 2015 and reviewed the interim faculty procedures and procedures for students, staff, other Harvard faculty and peer institutions. The committee’s main recommendation is to adopt the same procedural framework that was established for complaints against students and staff. The HMS Title IX designee, appointed by the Office of the Dean, serves as part of the investigative team. The investigative team makes factual findings including policy violation determination and issues final report. Appeals would be heard by a three-person panel, which would include at least one member of the Faculty of Medicine. A final report would be delivered to the faculty Committee on Rights and Responsibilities (CRR) who would review the report and recommend sanctions to the Dean. The respondent would have the opportunity to address the CRR, review CRR’s draft report and submit a written response to CRR for their consideration before the report is finalized. The dean would then receive the CRR report and respondent’s response, and then make the final determination.
Under the policy, if the respondent is employed by or associated with an HMS/HSDM affiliated institution (and not employed by HMS/HSDM) and/or has a primary appointment at another Harvard School and the alleged conduct took place outside HMS/HSDM, the matter will be referred to the relevant affiliated institution or Harvard school for investigation under any procedures of the affiliated institution or other Harvard school that may be applicable. If the alleged conduct either took place at HMS/HSDM or could create a hostile environment at HMS/HSDM, or in other limited circumstances, HMS/HSDM may conduct joint proceedings with the affiliated institution or other Harvard school.
The committee also recommended that thorough and periodic sexual and gender-based harassment prevention training be offered to the members of the Faculty of Medicine to address concerns expressed about faculty knowledge and awareness of the requirements of the University policy.
A discussion followed. Dean Flier asked for and concluded that the sense of the council was to approve the policy as presented.
Dean Flier then announced that in an effort to further publicize opportunities for funding, the Docket Committee invited Elazer Edelman, chair of the HMS Foundation Funds Committee, to speak about the resources and opportunities available to faculty through this program. He noted that the HMS Foundation Funds program administers the nomination process for HMS/HSDM faculty and postdoctoral fellows for funding opportunities from private foundations that require candidates to be nominated by either Harvard Medical School or Harvard University. Dean Flier encouraged council members to share these opportunities with colleagues and postdoctoral fellows who may be unaware of these resources.
Edelman discussed the HMS Foundation Funds, which are funding opportunities from private foundations for which HMS or Harvard University is the nominating body. Most awards are aimed at junior faculty and postdoctoral fellows, with a few awards available for associate professors and full professors. He said that there are 20 awards; funding ranges from $40,000 to over $875,000 per award, for a total of $15.5 million in available funding.
Edelman acknowledged the staff of the Office for Academic and Clinical Affairs, the HMS Foundation Funds office and the subcommittee members. He encouraged Council members to visit http://hms.harvard.edu/departments/foundationfunds/fall-award-listing for more information.
Following Edelman’s presentation, there was a brief discussion.
Dean Flier then adjourned the meeting.
