Miami Dade College
August 2012
Creating A Respectful Learning And
Working Environment
Adjunct Instructor Orientation
1
Employee Relations
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA
As an adjunct faculty member, you need to
know:
*
Your rights
*
Your students’ rights and how to
ensure them in your classroom
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Employee Relations
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA
As an adjunct faculty member, you need to
know:
*
What protections are covered by the law
*
What MDC policy and procedures say
*
Who to call when you do not know what to do
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Employee Relations
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA
College Policy I-21 Equal Access/Equal Opportunity
Miami Dade College is an equal access/equal opportunity
educational institution which does not discriminate on the
basis of gender, race, color, marital status, age, religion,
national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual
orientation, or genetic information.
College Procedure 1665
Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Procedure
Resolution of Complaints of discrimination or harassment
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U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION
Guidelines Defining Sexual Harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual
harassment when
 submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or
implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment,
or academic progress;

employment or academic decisions affecting those individuals
are made based on their submission to or rejection of such
conduct by an individual;

such conduct has the purpose or affect of unreasonably
interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment, or
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academic environment.
DON’TS

using vulgar, profane or sexually explicit language
(i.e. “f” word).

making jokes, sharing anecdotes or discussing topics
of a sexual nature.

asking questions about another individual’s sex life,
sexual preference/orientation.

making sexually explicit or implicit comments about
an individual’s clothing, body.
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DON’TS

repetitively asking for dates.

using profane slang to refer to men or women (i.e.
“b” word, “f” word) .

making whistling, kissing sounds, smacking noises.

touching a person when it is unwelcome.

stalking, which includes sending unwelcome and
offensive gifts, emails, photos, etc.
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DO’ S
When a student complains to you:
1. Meet the student in a safe
environment
2. Take the report seriously
3. Listen, sympathize, but don’t judge
4. Avoid using “dangerous words” such
as, “It’s just teasing. It’s no big deal”
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DO’ S
When a student complains to you:
5. Document, Document, Document
6. Don’t delay
7. Respond to the concern
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DO’ S
8.
Follow up on the complaint
9.
Advise your appropriate chain of command
about the complaint to determine what
action is to be taken
10.
Advise the Office of Employee Relations or
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA
Coordinator about the complaint (resource,
resolution and recording).
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Employee Relations
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA
Quick Links for more information
Part Time Employee Performance Standards
http://www.mdc.edu/hr/OnlineForms/Part-Time_Employees_Conduct.pdf
College Policy I-21
Equal Access/Equal Opportunity
https://www.mdc.edu/policy/Chapter1/01-I-21.pdf
College Procedure 1665 Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Process
https://www.mdc.edu/procedures/Chapter1/1665.pdf
Sexual Harassment Prevention
https://www.mdc.edu/hr/EmployeeRelations/default.asp
Students’ Rights and Responsibilities Handbook
http://www.mdc.edu/policy/student_rights_and_responsibilities.pdf
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Employee Relations Service Team
Clive R. Bridges
Employee Relations Officer
Ext. 70290
Yvonne S. Nuñez
PT Employee Relations Officer
Ext. 70277
Bettie H. Thompson
Associate Vice Provost/Human Resources
Ext. 70291
Minda Feldheim
Secretary IV
Ext. 70294
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Office of Equal Opportunity Programs/
ADA Coordinator
Joy C. Ruff, PhD
Director
Equal Opportunity Programs/ADA Coordinator
Ext. 70269
Cindy Lau-Evans
EOP Manager
Ext. 70288
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