L.A. Community Colleges’ Sexual Harassment Policy under Question

July 17, 2009

A federal judge has recently barred the Los Angeles Community College District from enforcing its new sexual harassment policy. The legislation was drafted after a student delivered a speech about his religious beliefs and opposition to gay marriage in the aftermath of Proposition 8’s passage.

The professor cut the student’s presentation short, called him a “fascist bastard” and told him to “ask God” for his grade. He has since been punished by the university, and the student received an “A” in the course.

However, because of the drama, the college chose to enforce a new sexual harassment policy, which banned the use of “offensive” remarks, in and out of the classroom. Many opponents to this rule said that it inhibited the students’ right to free speech and expression.