The Turkana Basin Institute Field Schools, being official Study Abroad programs of Stony Brook University (SBU), are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is safe, accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination and harassment, in accordance with SBU policies (see full Title IX policy below).
Though the TBI field stations are in remote locations, under normal circumstances students can use the Internet or a satellite phone (and sometimes cell phones) to have direct access to SBU campus police, CAPS counselors, or the Director for Title IX and Risk Management.
TBI is an educational community committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment conducive to learning. As a member of this community you are expected to act toward all other persons with respect, collegiality, and dignity. Jokes about gender, sexual orientation, race, or ability are considered counter-productive to inclusivity and are unacceptable. TBI has a zero tolerance stance on sexual harassment. This includes:
Unwanted sexual advances, physical or verbal, including but not limited to,
- unsolicited touching, o unsolicited grabbing, o staring,
- verbal invitations,
- sexual jokes,
- inquiries into one’s sexual history.
Stony Brook University Title IX policy:
Stony Brook University is committed to creating and maintaining workplace, educational, and recreational environments that are safe and accessible, and free of all forms of discrimination, discriminatory harassment and sexual harassment, including non- consensual sexual contact, sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Such behavior is prohibited and violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
- Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical or communicative (verbal, non-verbal and electronic) conduct of an abusive sexual nature which constitutes harassment when such conduct interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.
- The University is responsible for and fully committed to the prevention and elimination of sexual harassment. All members of the campus community are responsible for fostering an atmosphere that promotes equity, civility, caring, responsibility, accountability, and respect.
- The University does not tolerate sexual harassment and treats it as a form of misconduct, which is handled in accordance with the University’s discrimination complaint procedure. Sanctions enforced against individuals engaged in such behavior will follow Labor Management process and procedures, and/or applicable University policies.
- Retaliation against an employee, student or any witness who participates in any University investigation is prohibited. Retaliation is also prohibited against any individual who files a sex discrimination complaint under Title IX or participates in a complaint investigation in any way. Any substantiated act of retaliation may result in sanctions or other disciplinary action as covered by Labor Management processes, collective bargaining agreements, and/or applicable University policies.
If you notice any person violating this policy, report it to the Resident Academic Director of the Field School immediately. If that person is unavailable, report it to the Field Station manager who will communicate the complaint to the TBI office in Nairobi. Complaints will be taken very seriously and the SBU protocol will be followed.
For more information see the full SBU policy at: http://www.stonybrook.edu/diversity/resources-titleIX.html