I have been officially notified that I am being investigated under the Sexual Harassment Policy of McMaster University due to a complaint of sexual harassment filed against me. I cannot speak further to the complaint except to say that after the initial investigation, the University has decided to follow the informal resolution without written complaint route. I have denied all charges against me and have clearly informed the University that I did not commit the acts that are claimed I committed, which are without any proof. Let me be clear, I did not commit anything close to sexual harassment.
The McMaster Students Union President, outgoing and incoming, plus members of the incoming board have filed multiple complaints against me with the University in the hope that the University would punish me in some way under the McMaster Student Code of Conduct.
I have always been a strong supporter of anti-harassment legislation and policies. I understand that the rights of the alleged victim must be paramount. As such I accept what is occuring because I know that erroring on the side of caution by McMaster University is the right thing to do in this case.
Due to the allegation and statements by the MSU Board and full-time staff, the University has imposed what is called a “behavioral contract” on me under the Student Code of Conduct.
The idea behind a behavioral contract is to clear outline what is expected of me by University policy and to offer reassurance to the alleged victim of my alleged conduct.
I accepted the contract.
The contract bars me from entering MSU space without an appointment and clear reason for entering. It also forbids me from initiating communication with members of the McMaster Students Union except by email to obtain permission to speak to them or to set up an appointment to ask permission to speak to them. This means all undergraduate full-time students at McMaster University. This is at the request of the McMaster Students Union Inc. on behalf of all its members, and is enforced by McMaster University.
This means that I am not allowed to talk to any student on campus who I have not obtained prior written permission to speak to.
I am not in a position to, and I will not, speak further about this matter as doing so is, itself, could be seen to constitute harassment and be in violation of this contract.
This post is to request that you understand if you know me and I do not acknowledge your presence or say hi. It is not that I am rude, everyone knows I pride myself on being approachable. It is that I have been forced to not be approachable.
I have to have permission in writing to even talk to my closest friends in order to cover my butt. If I speak to anyone without prior permission, MSU Inc. can use that to demand the University punish me with stronger punishment. The University will do so. The range of punishment could be anything from a substantal fine up to and including expulsion from the University.
If you wish to be able to communicate with me, I need you to email me: joey@joeycoleman.ca
