Re: paleonet Sexual Harassment String

[Judith Harris <harrisj@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you Norm. I agree that the personal issue does not need to be  
discussed. This is being taken care of.

The general problem is one is which consciences need to be raised. I  
guess that is happening to some degree.

Judith


judith harris
professor emerita
Univ of Colorado Museum
harrisj@valornet.com
505-756-1813



On Oct 19, 2006, at 1:57 PM, N. MacLeod wrote:

> Every now and again the discussion on PaleoNet drifts onto a topic  
> that
> leaves some list members feeling uncomfortable. This Josh Smith  
> String is
> one of those. Of course, the standard advice we give when people  
> raise a
> question regarding whether a topic is appropriate for a list  
> dedicated to
> discussing any all all things paleontological is to point out they can
> always exercise their right not the read any of the comments made  
> about any
> particular topic. That pertains to this string too. However, there is
> another aspect to this issue we may want to consider. Resignations  
> can be
> accompanied by legal actions and it may be the case that informal  
> talk on
> the list about any particular individual's actions--past, present, or
> future--could influence the outcome of such actions should any of the
> parties decide to pursue matters through the courts. There are  
> procedures in
> place in most universities, museums, government offices, etc. to  
> resolve
> such disputes on the basis of evidence, not allegations, innuendo,  
> and/or
> gossip. PaleoNet just isn't the place to discuss the particulars of  
> any
> individual case.
>
> That having been said, discussions of how women in our profession are
> treated is perfectly pertinent for discussion on PaleoNet, at least  
> in my
> opinion. All my career I've heard stories about this sort of thing.  
> In a few
> cases I've had the misfortune of seeing what it does to the people  
> involved.
> It's not a pretty sight. I think it bothers most of us, male as  
> well as
> female, both as paleontologists and as people. It damn well should!  
> But it's
> also true we really don't discuss our professional responsibilities  
> in this
> area as much as we should. I'd suggest we try to confine our  
> discussions on
> this topic to the need for the consciousness of everyone in the  
> field to be
> raised, what special professional responsibilities we must manage  
> (e.g.,
> co-ed fieldwork), what 'best practice' look like in these areas,  
> and how we
> can best support those who feel themselves subject to any form of
> intimidation and/or harassment irrespective of the the stage of their
> career.
>
> Norm MacLeod
>
>
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
>
> Prof. Norman MacLeod
> Keeper of Palaeontology
> The Natural History Museum
> Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
>
>
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