Reports of sexual harassment from Graduate Student Instructors to their students have risen during the past year.
Dianne Jordan, director of the University's Sexual Harassment Prevention and Resolution Program, confirmed these reports.
"There has been an overall rise in number of complaints of sexual harassment for not only Graduate Student Instructors but for the entire faculty and staff of the University," Jordan said.
The increase in the cases may be due to several factors, Jordan said.
"One possibility is that, in general, people have a better understanding because of the greater attention to these situations due to media coverage in the past years," Jordan said.
One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said one GSI repeatedly harassed her last semester.
"He would constantly approach me and ask me out, in and out of the classroom," she said. "When I refused, he made several comments that were very offensive and degrading. I also found my grades dropping considerably in the class."
The student said she was upset by the GSI's advances. "I don't know why he was taking his rejection out on me. It was a really scary situation."
Tamara Joseph, staff organizer for the Graduate Employees Organization, said the union tries to preserve the rights of GSIs on campus.
"We make sure that a union member receives a fair investigation," Joseph said. "I want to make clear that we do not tolerate sexual harassment. We have to protect their rights, too."
Rackham student David Rivera, who is a GSI for Political Science 160, said GSIs should be cautious about making romantic advances toward students.
"I would say, generally speaking, that it is a good idea to divert any notion of dating activities until you pass the time of the grading period to avoid these situations," Rivera said.
Jordan said it will take between one to two months for her department to compile and present all of last year's data.
"If the harassment involves any employee, including students of the University, the complaint is filed in our office," Jordan said.
"We work very hard to rectify situations as quickly as possible without sacrificing fairness to both parties involved," Jordan added. "Punishments can range from counseling to termination of employment of the employee who commits the offense, or expulsion if (the offender) is a student."
Joyce Wright, prevention and education coordinator for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, said that a victim of sexual harassment may face several problems.
"When a victim of this type of harassment comes to SAPAC, we try to help them to function in their normal daily life," Wright said.
Wright also said SAPAC provides full support to students.
"Our policy here at SAPAC is to provide complete advocacy toward the victim no matter what decision they make," Wright said.
Wright said some victims are reluctant to come forward about being harassed.
"Some victims of sexual harassment tend to wait until after they graduate before they file a complaint to the University," Wright said. "They may feel that no one will believe them or they could suffer negative repercussions in their classes if it gets back to the head instructor or GSI."
Another victim said it has been difficult coming forward.
"I originally didn't want to come forward because I thought it would be his word against mine," said the female student, who wished to remain anonymous. "I don't want any harm to come to me for speaking out but I know it's important. I'm definitely reconsidering this decision."
Wright said there is no statute of limitation for when a student can report a case of harassment.
"Some students who come to SAPAC decide not to file a complaint to the University until after they have graduated. It's rare but it has happened," Wright said. "If a student feels that they cannot function in the class, we can try to go the instructors and ask a student to be transferred or get an extension on work."