A friend once confi ded in me that she had changed her major due to a bad class experience in the subject she was originally interested in. She felt her instructor had been sexually harassing her, yet she didn’t know what to do about it.

My friend could be any De Anza College student, one who has had their rights violated but is not aware of the corrective actions to take.

I want De Anza students to be aware of the policies and efforts the college is willing to implement to protect students and maintain a positive learning environment. The district has crafted policies on harassment and mutual respect that clearly outline the rights those who enter the campus have to be respected.

"The Board of Trustees of the Foothill De Anza Community College District is deeply committed to the premise that on college campuses full participation in the educational process must be in an environment that is free from harassment based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical or mental disability," states the district mutual respect policy. In order to prevent an intimidating work or educational environment, "the District should be free of sexual harassment and all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation. All students, faculty and staff must be assured that the District will take action to prevent misconduct," states the district harassment policy.

Complete documents of the policies are online at http://deanza.edu/students/handbook.html are printed in the back of every course catalogue.

There are both formal and informal methods of filing a complaint. Prior to fi ling a formal complaint, students should contact Trudy J. Walton, Dean of Student Development and EOPS, at 408 864-8828 or visit her offi ce downstairs in the Hinson Campus Center.

An effort is made to resolve the issue through a mediation process before the complaint initiates a formal complaint by completing and signing the District’s Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination Complaint form.

Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated. Exercise your right to be respected.