Sangamon State University President Durward Long, against whom charges of sexual harassment recently were filed by seven SSU faculty members, spoke to members of the Board of Regents during their meeting Thursday about the sexual harassment policies at his university.

Long said a nine-point program was introduced about 10 days ago updating a six-year-old policy at the university. The program includes the formation of a sexual harassment grievance committee to which the members will be named by Long.

Long said he will make appointments to the committee based on recommendations from staff, faculty and student committees.

A consultant also will conduct a needs assessment of policy education and implementation at the university, he said.

In his report to the board, Long also said the SSU faculty senate ad hoc committee on sexual harassment is proposing that attendance by faculty at sexual harassment workshops be mandatory. He said several workshops were held last year, but weren’t well attended by faculty members.

Regents Chairman Carol Burns said although “considerable efforts and progress have been made in the past few weeks,” she suggested that Chancellor Roderick Groves closely monitor attitudes at SSU regarding sexual and other kinds of discrimination at the university.

Regent Sylvia Nichols advised that the consequences of sexual harassment be included in the policies of the Regency universities.