UCSB is committed to maintaining an academic and professional environment free from
all forms of harassment. Harassment is counterproductive to the mission of our institution.
It is the responsibility of all faculty, teaching assistants, staff and students
to maintain a work and learning environment free from harassment. Sexual harassment
is a form of discrimination based on sex and/or gender and will not be tolerated.
As a Teaching Assistant, your personal relationships with undergraduate students
will be different than when you were an undergraduate. This may be your first experience
as an authority figure—someone who has power to make decisions which affect others
and someone to whom others grant power. It is important that you recognize and learn
how to use this power appropriately.
Given your position of authority as a Teaching Assistant, primary responsibility
for maintaining appropriate professional behavior resides with you, regardless of
student behavior. Your understanding of the principles of sexual harassment will
enhance UCSB’s commitment to a harassment-free institution.
While this program focuses primarily on sexual harassment, the principles stressed
in it are applicable to other forms of discriminatory harassment.
I strongly encourage you to work through the TA On-line Sexual Harassment Prevention
Program which can conveniently be completed at your pace in the privacy of your
office. I had the opportunity to complete it and found it to be both informative
and useful.
Please note that the sexual harassment training program for Teaching Assistants
is a combination of the on-line training and an instructor-led workshop presented
by UCSB’s Director of Sexual Harassment Prevention, Carol Sauceda. Please contact
your Lead TA for more information.
Thank you for your support and commitment to make UCSB a harassment-free environment.
Sincerely,
Gene Lucas
Executive Vice Chancellor
