‘We have work to do’ on campus culture: FIU interim president addresses sexual harassment
Nearly two weeks after Florida International University President Mark Rosenberg abruptly resigned as he faced an investigation into alleged sexual harassment of a younger woman who worked with him, newly appointed interim President Kenneth Jessell acknowledged Wednesday it “has become clear we have work to do when it comes to our campus culture.”
To address the problem, FIU launched a website, report.fiu.edu, where individuals can report sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, and will hold a town hall so the community can suggest solutions and provide feedback. The university is also developing a consensual relationship policy.
“I want FIU to be a university that not only complies with what is legally required but that also takes the right actions to ensure our culture is grounded in our values and that everyone feels safe here,” said Jessell, 66, in a letter emailed to the university’s students, faculty and staff.
In the letter, Jessell acknowledged the issue of sexual harassment: “We must continue to take all steps possible to prevent sexual- and gender-based misconduct, which have no place at FIU or anywhere else. FIU must continue to be an inclusive and safe institution, where everyone feels empowered to come forward when they encounter behavior that runs counter to our values and policies.”
Jessell said he would hold a “dialogue” sometime next week. The university will announce the date and format for the event in the “next few days,” FIU spokeswoman Maydel Santana said Thursday.
“I want to hear from you about how we can come together to learn, heal and improve,” he wrote.
Rosenberg suddenly stepped down Jan. 21 after the woman told a lawyer that FIU hired to investigate her claims that Rosenberg had told her at least three times since October that he loved her, wanted to be with her and would take care of her. The woman, who the Herald has chosen not to identify, told the lawyer on Jan. 19 that she rebuffed his unwanted advances each time. She is in her 20s; Rosenberg is 72.
Rosenberg, in a Jan. 23 statement, said he had “caused discomfort for a valued colleague,” acknowledging, “I unintentionally created emotional [not physical] entanglement.”
FIU Board of Trustees Chair Dean Colson retained the law firm in December to investigate Rosenberg’s actions; the investigation is ongoing.
Shortly after Colson broke the news about Rosenberg’s departure Jan. 21, the board of trustees called an emergency meeting and unanimously named Jessell, 66, who had served as the university’s CFO and FIU’s senior vice president since 2009, as interim president. FIU hasn’t started an official search for a permanent president yet.
In his letter Wednesday, Jessell said FIU started tackling the culture issue last year, including training students, faculty and staff on how to prevent misconduct.
“In the coming weeks, we will be announcing additional actions designed to ensure that all members of our community understand what is expected from them and what they can expect from this university,” Jessell said.
Jessell said FIU hired a new Title IX coordinator, Ryan Kelley, in August. Elizabeth Canning served as interim coordinator before that.
The Title IX coordinator is a critical position at a university as all sexual harassment complaints are filed under Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972. The law requires federally funded universities to designate at least one employee to be a Title IX coordinator. FIU employs a team of five who administer the university’s sexual harassment and sexual misconduct regulations.
Students, employees or applicants can file a sexual harassment complaint online via report.fiu.edu, by phone, by email or in person. They can also reach out to FIU’s employee assistance program, counseling and psychological services and victim empowerment program to discuss reporting options in a confidential setting, Santana said.
“The office reviews and responds to every report, investigates when appropriate, and provides supportive measures, resources and referrals to anyone impacted,” Santana said.
