Message from President Daniel Fogel

Dear UVM Community:

I am taking this opportunity to reaffirm the University of Vermont’s commitment to creating and maintaining a community in which everyone can work and learn together in an atmosphere free of all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including sexual harassment. The University of Vermont does not tolerate sexual harassment. It is demeaning, offensive, illegal, and prohibited by University Policy.

The program you are reviewing outlines current laws on sexual harassment, and uses examples to illustrate words and behaviors that might reasonably be regarded as sexual harassment and that therefore should be avoided. While the program primarily focuses on sexual harassment, the principles it teaches apply essentially to all forms of discriminatory harassment. I urge you to take advantage of this self-paced, educational opportunity to hone your professional skills by learning more about how to identify and prevent sexual harassment.

We must all work together in this important endeavor as we strive to achieve a common understanding of what constitutes appropriate behavior and a shared awareness of what constitutes sexual harassment. At the University, we live and work in a culture that defines itself in terms of intellectual exchange, appreciation of individual differences, and respect for each individuals’s personal dignity. Together, we can create and maintain an environment that provides the support and opportunity for each member of our community to prosper and achieve.

I thank you for taking the time to be informed on this serious issue.

Sincerely,

Daniel Mark Fogel
President