The Sunday Times [Perth, WA]  
3 March 1992

SEX CLAIM AT UNI SPARKS INQUIRY

COMMENT
By Joe Poprzeczny

    Accusations of sexual harassment in State Parliament
have been in  the headlines.

    But this is not the only WA venue for such allegations.

    The spotlight has also focussed on a Perth university.

    Traditionally, sexual relations between students and
teachers have  been a major taboo in our society.

    The reason is that teachers, like doctors,
psychiatrists, and  clerics, are seen to be in positions of
considerable power.

    But one Perth university has instigated an inquiry
which related to  possible sexual interaction between a
number of students and a senior  academic. 

    Such incidents do not necessarily involve people of the
opposite  sex.

    Often it is automatically assumed that men are
responsible for  harassment.

    We should not overlook the fact that lesbian activity
and homosexuality as well as heterosexuality can be
involved in such incidents.

    The inquiry was sparked by an earlier investigation
which recommended further action.

    The second inquiry is moving along at a steady pace
and the academic in question has been given a month to
supply satisfactory answers to a series of questions. 

    Officials from the academic union have been involved in
the  controversial case.

    The problem of sexual relation between academics and
students is  now widely talked about on Perth's campuses.

    But concern about this delicate issue has gone beyond
just students

    The Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee (AVCC), the
country's  peak academic organization, is also looking into
the matter.

    The AVCC is presently considering issuing guidelines
relating to  close personal interaction between academics
and students.

    Such guidelines exist at some British universities and
are long overdue in Australia.

    Many believe that such guidelines should include
restrictions on  the marking of student exams by parents
and other close relatives who  happen to be academics.

    Apparently this has also been a contentious issue on
some  Australian campuses, and action to combat the risk of
favoritism of this  kind is thought to be on the way.

    Sexual harassment guidelines may not be sufficient to
deal with the  problems the AVCC is considering.

    Sexual harassment traditionally has to involve unwanted
sexual  activity.

    But the guidelines are having to address the issue that
even though  a student and an academic may be willing
partners, the interaction could  lead to claims by other
students of favoritism and special treatment.

    This aspect cannot be ignored because serious questions
of who  qualify for scholarships, and what level of pass is
gained, arise.

    Careers are at stake and the favoring of the less
talented over the  more competent is involved.

    Presently, little has been said about similar problems
in schools  although it is well known that the Education
Ministry and private school  principals and their governing
councils generally treat incidents in this  area harshly.