Navigating Policy Specificity in Academia: The Evolution of Sexual Harassment Policies around #MeToo

I study how universities changed the specificity of their sexual harassment policies around #MeToo. I observe a trend toward increasing policy specificity after #MeToo, particularly in private universities, those with publicized harassment cases, or universities led by presidents from male-dominated academic backgrounds. Additionally, I present suggestive evidence of a link between the hiring of junior female faculty and the adoption of more specific policies in environments where the composition of senior faculty is more male dominated after #MeToo. Overall, my results indicate that universities prioritize clearer guidance for behavior through narrower policies over retaining flexibility with broader policies post-#MeToo.