View Training Module Descriptions

Requirement Questions

1. What is the training requirement?

All faculty, staff, and graduate students who are in their third year of study or above are required to complete one of five online training module options to continue their professional development on the topic of preventing sexual harassment. This training initiative was recommended by the Presidentially appointed Committee on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response and is the follow-up to the training rolled out in Spring 2018.

2. How do I access the trainings?

Please complete this short pre-training survey (authentication required) which will then link you directly your “My Training Needs” in the MIT Atlas Learning Center, click "Preventing Sexual Harassment AY20-21" to see all the completion options. After completion of one course (which fulfills the requirement) you may choose to complete others. If you've already completed the survey, please go to the MIT Atlas Learning Center directly to click on the "Preventing Sexual Harassment AY20-21" Course Requirement. 

3. May I take more than one of the courses offered?

Yes, you can take all five options. Only one is required to satisfy the training requirement. Each option was selected to augment and bolster our community’s knowledge on these topics.    

4. Do I need to take the training if I recently completed an online training as part of my new employee onboarding?

Yes, all paid faculty and staff, and graduate students (third year and above) are expected to complete one of the five online training options to satisfy this training requirement. Only employees onboarded on or after July 1st, 2020 are exempt from this training requirement because they complete a required onboarding training that covers these topics.

5. Do I need to take the training if I completed this training in 2018?

Yes, all paid faculty, paid staff, and graduate students (third year and above) are expected to complete one of the five online training options to satisfy the training requirement.  This training menu is different than the training offered in 2018 and builds on previous trainings by providing multiple options for individuals to choose from to deepen their learning on topics including culture change, bystander intervention, reporting, and preventing harassment.  

6. My MIT academic appointment will expire soon. Am I still required to complete the Preventing Sexual Harassment training?

If your appointment expires after the February 17th deadline, please complete the training. Otherwise, it is not required. Please inform pshtraining@mit.edu so they can remove you from the roster.

7. Do I have to complete this training while on sabbatical or junior faculty leave?

While faculty on sabbatical or junior faculty leave do not teach, they customarily continue to conduct research, and may come to campus from time to time. They are, therefore, expected to take the training. If you are on sabbatical in an international location for the duration of the sabbatical and experience technical difficulty with the training, please contact pshtraining@mit.edu.

8. Do I need to complete this training if I'm graduating at the end of the Spring semester?

Even if you are graduating this semester we ask you to complete the Preventing Sexual Harassment training.  As you transition into the work environment, Course C – Creating an Inclusive Workplace or E – Preventing Harassment might be beneficial.  

9. Can I complete the training during working hours? 

Yes. Employees should complete the training during their regular working hours. 

10. Will we be expected to complete this training every year?

The training menu likely will be refreshed and rolled out every two years to ensure that the community has access to ongoing information about these topics.

11. Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns about the training content?

Please contact pshtraining@mit.edu

12. Who do I contact if the content is upsetting me and I'd like to pursue an alternative to complete the requirement?

Please contact idhr@mit.edu.

13. May I return to the online modules in the future for reference?

Yes, all five courses will be available for you to view at any time. You may jump to the specific sections that are of particular interest once you’ve completed the module that fulfilled your training requirement.

14. What if I don’t have time to take the training in the time allotted for my training group?

Please email pshtraining@mit.edu if you have concerns about completing the training in the allotted time.

15. How do I know if I completed the training requirement?

You will receive an auto-generated confirmation of that status.  Your department administrative officer may also confirm this information through a training status completion report that is refreshed nightly.

16. I have concerns about the privacy of my demographic information. What should I do?

You are not required to provide that information; you may continue to the next section.

17. I hold an unpaid appointment.  Am I required to take the training?

No, unpaid appointees are not required to take the training. If you would like access to the courses, please email pshtraining@mit.edu.

18. I am having technical difficulties accessing the training, what should I do?

If you’re having any technical difficulties, please email pshtraining@mit.edu.

Content Questions

1. How do I know if I am a "responsible employee"?

You may refer to the Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response Office (IDHR) website which includes a short video that clarifies the term “responsible employee” for faculty and staff.

2. Where can I find more information about resources covered in these training modules?

More information is available via these online resources:

• Responsible Employee Role Information
• Reporting Options for Students
• Reporting Options for Faculty, Staff, and Postdocs
• Resources for Students
• Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Postdocs
• Educational Materials about IDHR
• Questions about Specific Situation: email idhr@mit.edu.

3. What if I have questions about a specific situation involving sexual harassment that was brought to me?

Please fill out our “Notify IDHR as a Responsible Employee” form on our website or email idhr@mit.edu.  You can also reach out to the Deputy Title IX Coordinators for local area contacts regarding these concerns.

4. Are we required to report incidents of sexual misconduct for students only or for all MIT employees?

• Incidents Involving Students:
  • Many employees are required to inform the IDHR Office if they learn of incidents of gender-based discrimination involving students, including sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, and stalking.
• Incidents Involving Employees:
  • Managers and Supervisors, additionally, are required to inform the IDHR Office if they learn of an employee they supervise or manage, or a subordinate they do not directly supervise or manage, who has experienced discriminatory behavior on the basis of a protected class including race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin.
• While non-managers/supervisors are not required to inform IDHR, we urge all members of the community to inform IDHR of situations involving employees being subjected to discrimination or discriminatory harassment so IDHR can reach out to those employees to provide information about the full range of options available to them, including informal remedies and formal investigations. If you have any questions about your role, please email idhr@mit.edu.