[0321] sao@ATHENA.MIT.EDU  MIT_harassment  05/05/92 10:05 (64 lines)
Subject: more vague definitions
From the "Computers and Academic Freedom News" mailing list, Vol 2, #18.

Here's another example of how the current vague definitions of what
"harassment" means can cause problems.  Note that, although the situation
described fits all existing written definitions of "harassment," almost
no one would consider it to be such.

I also have two followup postings, which I can forward to anyone who
requests them.  Send mail to comp-academic-freedom-talk-request@eff.org
if you want to join this mailing list.

------------------------------

From caf-talk Caf Apr 16 00:00:00 1992
Newsgroups: soc.men
From: chungkuo@ais.org (Shawn FitzGerald)
Subject: Article 6--A neat story, and a question.
Message-ID: <FXBL_3C@ais.org>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 17:21:58 GMT

I work in a computer lab at a community college in Michigan. Whiloe working,
a group of users and another consultant were engaged in conversation with
me. Topics included masturbation, sex, feminism, and religion. A user
overheard some thing I said, most of which she found offensive. It should be
noted that I did not start this conversation, in addition I also tried to
quite it down when it seemed to be getting too loud. I am now in Deep Doo
Doo, or at least there is a very real potential for me to be in said Doo
Doo.

Addmitedly, as far as proffesional conduct is concerned, I probably should
not have openly discussed masturbation while working (why not though?).
However, I have been informed that making comments that "are sexual, or
could be construed as sexist" are grounds for a sexual harrassment charge. I
do not know who my accuser is, nor have I ever spoken to her. Yet, according
to some people around here (faculty of the college, and my supervisors), the
simple fact that this woman was in the room is reason enough to "get me."

(Oh, it should also be noted that this particular computer lab isn't a
typical one in which everyone sits at their cold terminal and utters not a
word. And where 'consualtants' do little more than fix printer mis-feeds. In
this lab, people actualy talk. There's a certain sense of camraderrie [sic?]
among both the users and the consultants. There is often discussion going on
about a great many things.)

Hopefully this will not get me expelled. My supervisors have basically told
me to 'be carefull.' However, I can't help but be totaly pissed off. Not at
this woman (whomever she may be), but that SHE'S TECHNICALLY RIGHT. 

I'd like to know if there is some place FTPable that archives sexual
harrassment policies. I can't believe saying something that "offends"
somebody in a room, when you've NEVER spoken to them or even know who they
are can be termed 'sexual harrassment.'\

"Oh, and if I offended you I'm sorry, but maybe you needed to be offended.
Well, here's my apology and one more thing. FUCK YOU!!"
    --Suicidal Tendancies

-- 
   Shawn FitzGerald           |   chungkuo@ais.org
   (Rational Romantic         |   University of Michigan
    Mystic Cynical Idealist)  |   Computing Club
"I love you so I keep dreaming . . ." -Bananas, _The House of Blue Leaves_