Graduate Students

Sexual Harassment and Student Ombudsperson

The College of Medicine is committed to upholding the Penn State policy of providing a responsive environment free of intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and coercion. Included in unacceptable behavior is sexual harassment, which is covered under policy AD-41. It is defined as unwelcome sexual advances requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when submission to such conduct: is a condition for grades, academic status, promotion, or employment is used as a basis for academic/employment decisions affecting an individual interferes unreasonably with the individual's academic/work performance or creates an offensive, hostile, or intimidating learning/working environment.

Any member of the College of Medicine Community who experiences sexual harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate behavior that interferes with the learning environment should contact one of the following individuals at this campus for confidential assistance:

Elizabeth Frauenhoffer, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pathology
X1673, C7864D (BMR)
Ombudsperson

Richard Levine, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
X8006
Ombudsperson

Kathryn Kaylor
Assistant Director, Office of Research Affairs
531-5675, Room C1614
Sexual Harassment

Denise Burkholder
Manager of Human Resources
531-4371, Academic Support Building

Students may also contact the Affirmative Action Office at University Park at (814) 863-0471.

The resource person does not pressure students into decisions about handling the encounters - they provide support and empower students with information about choices for handling the situation and provide protection against retaliation. An appropriate warning, sometimes in the form of a letter, often terminates the problem without the need to file formal charges with the Affirmative Action Office. The resource person provides assistance if the student decides to file a formal charge with the Affirmative Action Office.

Drs. Frauenhoffer and Levine also serve as ombudspersons for medical and graduate students. In this capacity, they investigate complaints brought forward by students and work to achieve an equitable solution. The purpose of an ombudsman is to enhance communication and clarify misunderstandings in any situation which involves potential disputes, to provide information about possible courses of action and to help resolve issues so that they do not grow into more serious conflicts.

The ombudsperson shall-"thoroughly investigate each incident brought to his/her attention taking into account all sides of the issue, counsel the involved parties or make referral for such counseling, provide periodic reports of such incidents and their outcomes/resolution to the appropriate associate dean and seek appropriate advice from senior academic or administrative faculty when necessary to assist in resolving issues of concern."