The University of Georgia • Athens has conceded it needs to review its sexual harassment policy after multiple, well-documented complaints that a professor made sexually inappropriate comments to faculty and staff were found not to violate the policy.

Co-workers and students had accused professor Brett Tennent-Brown of the College of Veterinary Medicine of creating a hostile work environment and educational environment, but an investigation by the university's Equal Opportunity Office determined that the complaints were insufficient to prove the policy was violated. Although the professor's repeated sexually inappropriate comments were found to be "deplorable, unacceptable and abhorrent," Tennent-Brown was merely given a warning that he could be fired if he continues.

Those affected by the alleged sexually hostile environment fear that the investigation's conclusion sends a dangerous message that UGA doesn't take sexual harassment seriously. One frightened student told another professor that she fears the incident demonstrates that faculty can get away with sexually hostile behavior and students have nowhere to go for help.

"I don't necessarily agree with you that the student has nowhere to go," said UGA president Michael Adams. Nevertheless, he conceded that the university's sexual harassment policy needs to be reviewed -- again.

Two years ago, Adams transferred enforcement of the university's discrimination and harassment policy to the Equal Opportunity Office from the Office of Legal Affairs after widespread complaints that faculty members were never penalized even for repeated instances of sexual harassment.

Students, colleagues accuse veterinary medicine professor of numerous sexually inappropriate comments, e-mails

The complaints about Tennent-Brown paint a classic picture of a hostile work environment. The professor appears to have routinely injected sexual comments into his classroom banter and behavior generally, but assumed no one would mind.

A summary of the investigation said the professor's comments were in the context of a "friendly atmosphere" that "included a good bit of banter that had some sexual overtones."

For example, Tennent-Brown admitted telling a male student to take a female student home and "show her your meat," but he said it was part of a "standing joke" in class.

He also admitted that during a casual discussion about the science of medical testing he said, "You can't invent a test. I could invent a test to use my penis to measure the temperature, but it wouldn't be a valid test." He defended himself by saying "the comment was made in a social setting and he did not think anyone would mind."

He admits he sent a text message advertising that he was "getting his dick sucked," but said that, although he was using a phone provided by the school, the message was "in non-school context."

He is also accused of saying that a student would be "pretty good fuck," and that he "would really like to fuck [her] to death."

The Equal Opportunity Office nevertheless found that, while he was known to be "a bit crass," such comments did not violate the university's Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment (NDAH) policy.

University president Michael Adams said that two committees have already been working on reviewing the sufficiency of the school's sexual harassment and discrimination policy. Their reports are due this spring, and Adams said he will wait until then to make his decision about whether to revise the policy.

Sources:

  • Athens Banner-Herald, "Harassment policy may be expanded, UGA chief says," Lee Shearer, February 18, 2011
  • The Red & Black, "HARASSMENT POLICY: Professor still teaches despite complaints; Found not in violation of UGA policies," Jacob Demmitt, February 16, 2011