Know your Rights graphic with text

Many CSU campuses – such as Cal Poly Humboldt, Fresno State, and Sonoma State – are back in the national news. Journalists are sharing stories of sexual harassment and abusive workplace cultures, where campus administrations have done little to support faculty who courageously come forward to file complaints, nor have they sufficiently held abusive administrators (or one’s spouse, at Sonoma) accountable for their deplorable behavior. 

Faculty complain of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation by filing Article 16 grievances that trigger investigations pursuant to Executive Order 1096. Faculty may also file complaints with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) or other agencies that oversee discrimination, harassment, and retaliation complaints in workplaces or educational settings (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the U.S. Department of Education).

The university has a duty to keep students and employees safe and free from harassment, and yet, administrators cannot be held accountable to meet their obligation if no one tells them what is going on. Therefore, if you have witnessed behavior that includes sexual harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation against a colleague who is not you – or perhaps you think you might have – immediately contact your CFA field staff organizer and the CFA faculty rights chair (or team) on your campus.

Witnessing harassment, discrimination, and retaliation – even when you’re not the direct target – can be agonizing and burdensome. There is no need to remain a silent bystander; be in touch with your campus CFA Faculty Rights team, who will support you in being a courageous colleague. Together, we can transform our campus cultures toward accountability, transparency, and justice.

Want to learn more? Become active with your local CFA chapter Faculty Rights team. Find your representative here.

  • Browse the faculty contract here.
  • See an archive of Faculty Rights Tips.
  • If you have questions about a faculty rights tip or would like to suggest a tip, please write us with the subject line “Faculty Rights Tip.”
Join CFA
Scroll To Top