The archaeology wing of the Anthropology Department is reeling from allegations that its chair is sexually harassing his graduate students.

Seven female graduate students have alleged that they were told sexually explicit jokes by Clay Professor of Scientific Archaeology Nikolaas J. van der Merwe. The graduate students did not allege that van der Merwe had initiated physical contact with any of them.

Two of the female graduate students say they felt van der Merwe's conduct, while bothersome, did not fit their personal definition of harassment.

University policy defines sexual harassment as "unwanted sexual behavior," including sexually explicit jokes.

Van der Merwe, who chairs the archaeology wing, is the adviser of many of the graduate students who spoke with The Crimson.

"He has told me that he dresses up in women's underwear," one graduate student charges. "He has described a man looking up a woman's skirt."

Van der Merwe has denied engaging in any form of harassment. "These allegations are ridiculous," he says.

In its publication, "Sexual Harassment and Unprofessional Conduct: Guidelines in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences," the University defines sexual harassment to include sexually explicit jokes.

"The determination of what constitutes sexualharassment will vary with the particularcircumstances," the publication says, "but it maybe described generally as unwanted sexualbehavior, such as physical contact or verbalcomments, jokes, questions or suggestions."

While the University has a procedure forreporting sexual harassment complaints, most ofthe graduate students say they have not fieldcharges because they believe they would be futile.

The allegations have split the archaeology winginto two camps, with van der Merwe's supporterscharging his accusers with trumping up theallegations to damage the professor and further a"politically correct" agenda.

A male graduate student and a male facultymember--both of whom have worked closely with vander Merwe--say they have heard him relate"incredibly" sexually explicit jokes.

"He's insensitive to those of other race andgender," says a male graduate student. "Thatcarries over to all his work."

One of van der Merwe's Harvard colleagues, aHarvard researcher, alleges that several studentshave left van der Merwe's lab "because they justcouldn't tolerate it."

The researcher says that van der Merwe's jokes"clearly contravene Harvard's policy on sexualharassment. This man's behavior is damaging thework of some of his female students."

"It's a daunting place for a woman to be, inthat department and so close to him," theresearcher says.