Response to Targeted Harassment of Faculty by Online Groups
Resolved: that the Sonoma State University (SSU) Academic Senate reaffirm those principles outlined in the University policy on “academic freedom” (Policy #2008-6); and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate acknowledges that online harassment is a real problem that can have consequences on lives and livelihoods, and condemns the targeted harassment of faculty exercising their rights and responsibilities under the Faculty Bill of Rights; and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate calls on the Provost to develop a standing plan for response to targeted online harassment that calls for the faculty member to be informed that Academic Affairs has been made aware of the harassment and intends to work with the targeted faculty member; and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate strongly recommend the administration and staff of Strategic Communications develop a standing plan for response to targeted harassment of faculty online, tailored for each of SSU’s social media platforms, which includes speaking out promptly, clearly and forcefully in defense of academic freedom when any targeting occurs; and be it further
Resolved: that the relevant committees and subcommittees of faculty governance, and the SSU CFA representatives, are meaningfully included in the development of any standing plans relevant to responding to the targeted harassment of faculty online; and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate urges Faculty Affairs to summarize for the Senate a plan of response to targeted harassment of faculty based on best practices at other institutions; and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate calls for the AVP of Information Technology and the director of the Center for Teaching & Educational Technology to collaborate to take inventory of risks relevant to targeted harassment of faculty online; to adopt “safe default” settings in tools for online instruction, without reducing their functionality, with the goal of helping to prevent accidental dissemination of video and other materials to unauthorized third-parties; and to develop guidance to help faculty reduce their exposure to the risk of surreptitious and unauthorized recording of classroom materials, classroom discourse, and private meetings between students and faculty; and be it further
Resolved: that the SSU Academic Senate requests that plans and actions taken in response to this resolution be completed by Spring 2021 and to be reviewed by the SSU Academic Senate, upon that deadline and annually thereafter; and be it further
Resolved: that this resolution be distributed to all relevant members of the SSU community, including President, Interim Provost, Chief of Staff, AVP of Strategic Communications, Academic Deans, and Department Chairs, the SSU CFA representatives, directly to all faculty, and be made available for on the SSU website for all other community members to review.