An online training course aimed at preventing sexual harassment is now available to area small businesses through an agreement between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and New Media Learning, LLC.

Employers located in Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Waupaca, Wood and Vilas counties who have no more than 50 employees may take advantage of this free program at http://www.newmedialearning.com/psh/uwiscsp/. The site also is available to students, faculty and staff at UWSP and is linked from the university�s home page, www.uwsp.edu, by clicking on "Diversity."

"While the training program primarily focuses on sexual harassment," says UWSP Interim Chancellor Virginia Helm, "the principles it teaches apply essentially the same way to all forms of discriminatory harassment."

The site allows individuals to complete the online training at their own pace, following links to topics such as examples of workplace sexual harassment, current harassment laws, creating a harassment free workplace and answering common questions. Participants may choose from programs tailored to specific audiences from the university setting or from off-campus businesses.

The program takes from 60 to 90 minutes to complete, and those finishing the 15-question mastery test at the end may print out a completion certificate for their records.

Larger employers may use the training site for demonstrations but must obtain a license from New Media Learning for instructional use.

Portia Hamlar, director of Equity and Affirmative Action office, brought the program to UWSP after seeing it succeed at another campus. The Web site is currently used at more than 100 higher education institutions.

"This site is needed to provide training for a larger group of employees and students than we can provide for with live workshops," said Hamlar. UWSP receives monthly reports from New Media Learning listing who has completed the program, she added.

Ronnie Taylor of New Media Learning created the program, UWSP Photographer Doug Moore took photographs of students and campus personnel to feature at the site. UWSP funding came from resources allocated by the three vice chancellors from their operations.

For more information, contact New Media Learning at 866-861-4410.