When sophomore history major Noel Sitnick walks down Paint Branch Trail on her way home to the University View after a day of classes, she passes groups of construction workers who greet her with a variety of catcalls: shouts of “Hey, baby” accompanied by kissing noises.
“It’s terrifying because I can’t really defend myself against a group of three or four of them, and they are all a lot larger than me,” Sitnick said. “If you have a bunch of adult men who have this power over you, it’s pretty scary.”
There have been two recent complaints filed with the Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct about construction workers on the University of Maryland campus, said Charles Reuning, a university administration and finance associate vice president and chief facilities officer. Investigations surrounding the two reports are not ongoing, as the student complainants did not provide enough information to identify specific individuals, said Catherine Carroll, director of the Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct Office.
“The real issues are if we can’t identify them or if we don’t have jurisdiction over them,” Carroll said. “Sometimes people on campus are a guest. If they are not employees or students, it’s hard to hold them accountable.”
When investigating complaints against construction workers, Reuning said, it can be difficult to ascertain whether the harassment is from Facilities Management employees or contractors hired by the university. Facilities Management employees would face disciplinary action, he said, and contractors would be “removed from campus immediately,” as their contracts contain language prohibiting sexual harassment.
Sitnick filed a complaint with the office after noticing a post on Reddit two weeks ago in which this university’s students documented their experiences of harassment by construction workers on the campus and others suggested that victims report the incidents.
“Right after I saw the post on Reddit, I filled out a report using a link a guy posted on there,” Sitnick said. “It’s cool how people started sharing this online at the same time, and I think it will help make a difference.”
The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct contacted Sitnick afterward, alerting her that it would look into the complaint, and Reuning later reached out directly to Sitnick to apologize and offer to meet with her to investigate the incident further.
Evie Monroe, a sophomore communication and women’s studies major, said she was catcalled by construction workers on the campus three or four times this semester — on McKeldin Mall near the Skinner Building, near Lot Q and by Marie Mount Hall. She did not file a report.
“I don’t like being objectified, and no female does,” Monroe said. “When walking past them, it makes me feel uncomfortable, and it’s sad that if I wanted to say something back they would be offended by me not taking their words as a compliment.”
One Facilities Management employee, Eric Marshall-Main, commented on the Reddit thread and posted it on Facebook so students or other university community members might see it, he said.
About a dozen people either commented on the Facebook post or messaged him privately, he said, and everyone seemed to have their trouble spot, whether walking past a certain parking lot or somewhere else on the campus.
“Many people came out of the woodwork with their stories being catcalled and how it is an everyday occurrence and is a real problem,” Marshall-Main said.
Reuning sent emails to Facilities Management employees and contractors clarifying that sexual harassment is prohibited by university and University System of Maryland policies, in addition to federal and state law.
“The campus, and FM, are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which everyone can work and learn without being harassed,” Reuning wrote in the email. “FM will take appropriate action against those who violate the provisions of the policy, including disciplinary action up to and including termination.”
Facilities Management employees currently go through four sensitivity training programs to prevent these issues, including Title IX training, Facilities Management’s sexual harassment prevention training, “As Simple As Respect” training and “Guide to Conduct” training. The Title-IX training was required for all university employees last fall, and the others occur when department employees are hired.
Reuning advised university community members who experience sexual harassment from Facilities Management employees or contractors to call Work Control at 301-405-2222, using the number on the back of Facilities Management trucks to help identify the employees who harassed them.
Sitnick also advocated filing a report to alert officials to what is going on and create meaningful change.
“I’m sure it would be super satisfying to call them out on their behavior, but honestly I think the best thing to do is keep your head down, ignore it and report it so people know it’s happening,” Sitnick said.
