LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: U. Takes Sexual Harassment Seriously

To The Editor: All investigations are held in strict confidence. In the case of the two employees mentioned in the The Daily Pennsylvanian ("Two employees claim U. ignored sexual harassment complaints," DP 4/25/95), the complainants have elected to make a public statement. Consequently, in this case only we will state that there is an ongoing fact-finding investigation. Representatives of the Office of Affirmative Action and the Division of Human Resources are serving as neutral fact-finders in the on-going investigation, and are moving as expeditiously as possible. In response to the comments by Mr. Tyrone Best, as reported in the The Daily Pennsylvanian ("Third U. employee alleges sexual harassment," DP 4/26/95), we are not aware that a complaint has been filed with the Division of Human Resources and/or the Office of Affirmative Action. The University cautions that until such allegations are completely investigated there should not be a presumption of guilt or innocence. This position is to protect the complainant, the respondent and potential witnesses. John Fry University Executive Vice President n To the Editor: Earlier this week, you ran an article regarding the sexual harassment of two employees by a supervisor ("Two employees claim U. ignored sexual harassment complaints," DP 4/25/95). I am the woman you referred to as "Pita." Contrary to your article, Teamsters Local 115 gave me and continues to give me every assistance possible in pursuing my claims against this supervisor. John P. Morris, the business agents and the shop stewards gave me direction and advice for charging the supervisor with sexual harassment. They even came with me to the affirmative action office to file the complaint. I think you should run a correction immediately to indicate that Teamsters Local 115 has been a tremendous support and guide in pressing my claim. Ann Lee Physical Plant housekeeper n To the Editor: I am the employee named "Spencer" in your front-page article regarding sexual harassment from a supervisor ("Two employees claim U. ignored sexual harassment complaints," DP 4/25/95). I write to correct one glaring error in the article. The article implied that my union, Teamsters Local 115, did nothing to support my claims against the supervisor. Nothing could be further from the truth. The union was supportive of me from the start. At the direction of the business agents, the shop stewards guided me through the University's complaint process. They personally escorted me to the affirmative action office and arranged meetings with management personnel. The union continues to help me pursue my charges against the supervisor in question. I ask that you run this letter before your last issue on Friday to correct this error about the union. I am proud to be a member of Local 115 and am thankful for their support during this difficult time for me. Brian Hunt Physical Plant housekeeper Respect Our Home To the Editor: I am deeply saddened by the recent defacement of University property in High Rise South and Nichols which violates all standards of civilized behavior. The Code of Student Conduct, Section IIIe (PENNBOOK p.16) specifically prohibits students from damaging and defacing the property or facilities of the University or of other community members. In addition, Section IIId "condemns hate speech, epithets and racial, ethnic, sexual, and religion slurs." The Department of Residential Living, at my request, has asked the University of Pennsylvania Police and the Philadelphia Police to conduct criminal and civil investigations regarding the defacement, through racial/ethnic epithets, of University residential property each and every time such an event has occurred. I have, again, asked for this cooperation and Commissioner Kuprevich has already pledged the full resources of his department to this effect. Our University is a microcosm of a society that is facing a number of troubling challenges, but, this is our home, and all Penn people deserve to live in a climate in which racial, ethnic and religious intimidation is absent. I condemn the cowardice of those few people who are perpetrating these acts, and I ask for your assistance in their identification. I urge any community members who have information relevant to this vandalism to immediately contact the Penn Police Department's Victim Support and Special Services Office, at 898-4481. All information will be kept confidential. Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum Acting Vice Provost for University Life