The APSA Virtual Ombuds is available for consultation with any TLC attendees who believes that they have experienced any form of harassment, or have concerns about violations of the sexual harassment provisions of the APSA anti-harassment policy while participating in the 2023 TLC. You are also welcome to speak with the ombuds if you or your committee, organized section or caucus is facing challenges that you’d like to get the ombuds advice on.
For information on the APSA Ombuds, please visit www.apsanet.org/ombuds or email apsaombuds@gmail.com to set up a virtual appointment or phone call.
Onsite at the TLC
The Sassafras room (2nd floor) will be available to use for virtual ombuds consultations.
The Role of the Ombuds is to:
- confidentially hear and discuss your concerns with you
- provide you with valuable guidance and resources for understanding what constitutes sexual harassment and other forms of harassment
- provide information on, and help explain, options for reporting sexual harassment to APSA
- outline other avenues and information for pursuing such a complaint
- offer support and guidance even if you elect to pursue no complaint procedures or reporting whatsoever
- Please note: The Ombuds plays no role in APSA’s sexual harassment procedures. The Ombuds does not provide legal advice and is not authorized to be an office of notice for APSA.
What to do if you have experienced or witnessed harassment or violations of the APSA Anti-Sexual Harassment Policy during the Teaching and Learning Conference:
There are two possible places to start if you believe that you have experienced sexual harassment, or have concerns about violations of the sexual harassment provisions of the APSA anti-harassment policy. The first is the Ombuds of the APSA TLC, who is available for confidential consultation about a wide range of concerns, including but not limited to sexual harassment. The second is the Sexual Harassment Intake Advisor, or an APSA Staff member, the point of first contact if you are considering pursuing the options the APSA offers for reporting and responding to incidents of sexual harassment.
It is strongly recommended that you first consult with the Ombuds for clarification about the entire range of your options. This consultation is confidential and the details of such a conversation will not be reported to any administrator, officer, or committee of the APSA, except as required by law. At all times, the role of the Ombuds is entirely independent of any sexual harassment complaint you may decide to pursue through the following APSA procedures.
All consultations with the APSA Virtual Ombuds will take place via Zoom or phone. To contact the Virtual Ombuds during the 2023 TLC, please email apsaombuds@gmail.com. The Ombuds will have dedicated office hours during the meeting and will also be available by appointment.
For more information about APSA’s sexual harassment resources, including APSA RESPECT, please visit https://www.apsanet.org/divresources/sexualharassment.