Message from Dr. Smith

Dear Faculty, Students, and Staff:

We at Columbia State Community College are committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that does not tolerate discrimination, including sexual harassment. To that end policies and procedures have been developed and a training program obtained to assist employees and students in understanding sexual harassment, and in knowing the necessary steps to take to prevent or handle problem situations. Columbia State in conjunction with New Media Learning provides the opportunity to participate in an interactive training program entitled, Preventing Sexual Harassment.

This self-paced training program is designed to help individuals identify and help prevent sexual harassment by outlining current laws and examples. Although this program focuses primarily on sexual harassment, the principles it teaches can be applied to all forms of harassment. I encourage you to review this program carefully.

Regarding policy, a copy of Columbia State’s Harassment Policy 05-24 is available on our website at http://forms.columbiastate.edu/policies-procedures/. In accordance with College and TBR policy all employees and students are responsible for taking reasonable and necessary action to discourage and prevent sexual, racial or other forms of harassment, and are required to promptly report such conduct that could be in violation of Tennessee Board of Regents or Columbia State policies and guidelines.

One of our goals at Columbia State is to provide students with a learning environment that is free from harassment, promotes respect among all employees and students, and that supports an atmosphere and environment for student success. As President, I am committed to this goal as I know you are. Thus, please join me in promoting awareness of it across campus.

Sincerely,

Dr. Smith
President