University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: April 19, 2007

By MARY COCHRANE
Contributing Editor

An online training course on the subject of sexual harassment, a discussion of travel reimbursement policies for faculty and staff, and an update on affirmative action at UB were topics of discussion at yesterday's Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting.

Barbara A. Burke, interim director of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Affirmative Action (EDAA), and Kesha E. Lanier, EEO specialist, previewed the online training course designed to help participants recognize and deal with sexual harassment on campus. The course, which will be available this summer, is an all-inclusive resource for the UB community with information ranging from definitions of sexual harassment to instructions on how to file a complaint to university policies and federal laws regarding such cases.

Burke said her office will make the free 45-minute course available to faculty, staff and students via MyUB and UB 101 courses, as well as through the EDAA office.

In the meantime, anyone with questions about sexual harassment may go to the EDAA Web site at http://affirmativeaction.buffalo.edu/sexual_harassment.htm, or visit or call the office to speak confidentially to the interim director or another senior staff person. EDAA is located in 406 Capen and its phone number is 645-2266.

Next, Heidi A. Retzer, staff assistant in financial services, talked travel with the FSEC, saying that the university will merge its state and research travel offices as of May 1 to create a "one-stop shop" for its UB customers, as well as to revamp and align the policies of both areas.

Retzer fielded numerous questions about specific travel reimbursements, especially regarding meals. Her presentation even included a slide/screen titled "meal definitions": UB travelers can not be reimbursed if banquet or buffet meals are included in their conferences, for example, but they may claim per diem if a continental breakfast, reception or party is included in the conference. For more information, contact Retzer at 645-5000, ext. 1349, or at hretzer@business.buffalo.edu.

Lorna J. Arrington, associate professor in the Educational Opportunity Center, gave the final presentation of the meeting, reporting on the progress of the Faculty Senate's Affirmative Action Committee's recruitment and retention handbook, which she said as being created "to address the declining diversity among faculty" at UB.

"The committee does believe that there are well-qualified women and minorities capable of filling positions here at the university," Arrington said.

The committee has looked to and drawn from other models, including Ohio State University's diversity action plan and Michigan State University's human resources employment guide, in drafting the UB handbook.

Of course, retaining diverse hires at UB is of utmost importance. Arrington noted that several UB departments have "some very effective retention programs" and those departments might be asked to share how they succeed in order that others may follow their example. She also said the Affirmative Action Committee will recommend that UB conduct exit interviews with departing faculty to learn useful information about how the university might better welcome and mentor its instructors.

A final draft of the handbook has gone to the provost and the committee will seek input and suggestions from various segments of the university community to "make the handbook a helpful and usable document," Arrington said.