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OP-ED: Harassment policy must build a campus free from fear
by Joyce Antler, Bernadette J. Brooten, Karen V. Hansen, Susan Lanser, James Mandrell and Marion Smiley
Op-Ed | 1/15/08
Posted online at 12:22 AM EST on 1/15/08
/ Last updated at 7:25 PM EST on 1/15/08
Brandeis students have the right to an education free from racial and sexual harassment. But beyond that, if we wish to attract and retain a diverse student body from all backgrounds, races, ethnic groups, religious traditions, sexualities, gender identities and physical abilities, we faculty members need to set a high standard for ourselves.
We need to create an atmosphere in our classrooms that will encourage all students to participate in and benefit from their Brandeis education.
Racist, sexist and other exclusionary, discriminatory or harassing speech by a professor limits students' ability to learn. Some students may fall silent in class. Others may avoid that professor's office hours. These comments may affect a student's choice of paper topic.
A student whose group is targeted may hesitate to ask that professor for a letter of recommendation. Yet others may lose precious study time by being upset about the comments, by organizing with other students or by trying to decide whether or not to go through the painful process of reporting their professor.
Even when the majority of students in a class are not offended by improper comments, everyone is affected. Racial and other stereotypes do not promote serious intellectual exchange because they lack intellectual seriousness. A Brandeis education means that we all try to move beyond stereotypes, to think critically, to examine, to read carefully, to experiment and to test hypotheses.
Thoughtful teachers give priority to the pedagogical, not personal, purpose of what we say and do. As faculty members, we need to ask ourselves whether what we say in class promotes students' ability to benefit from their education and whether the atmosphere we create will encourage them to tell their friends of all backgrounds that they will be welcome at Brandeis.
Faculty members are rightly concerned about preserving academic freedom, especially at this moment in history. Committing ourselves to promoting a beneficial educational experience and respect for all students does not limit our academic freedom.
We need to create an atmosphere in our classrooms that will encourage all students to participate in and benefit from their Brandeis education.
Racist, sexist and other exclusionary, discriminatory or harassing speech by a professor limits students' ability to learn. Some students may fall silent in class. Others may avoid that professor's office hours. These comments may affect a student's choice of paper topic.
A student whose group is targeted may hesitate to ask that professor for a letter of recommendation. Yet others may lose precious study time by being upset about the comments, by organizing with other students or by trying to decide whether or not to go through the painful process of reporting their professor.
Even when the majority of students in a class are not offended by improper comments, everyone is affected. Racial and other stereotypes do not promote serious intellectual exchange because they lack intellectual seriousness. A Brandeis education means that we all try to move beyond stereotypes, to think critically, to examine, to read carefully, to experiment and to test hypotheses.
Thoughtful teachers give priority to the pedagogical, not personal, purpose of what we say and do. As faculty members, we need to ask ourselves whether what we say in class promotes students' ability to benefit from their education and whether the atmosphere we create will encourage them to tell their friends of all backgrounds that they will be welcome at Brandeis.
Faculty members are rightly concerned about preserving academic freedom, especially at this moment in history. Committing ourselves to promoting a beneficial educational experience and respect for all students does not limit our academic freedom.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Spike, '01
posted 1/16/08 @ 6:14 PM EST
You want to remove harassment and promote equality? Then ditch the "Women's" from your program's name. Otherwise, it could be seen as promoting one gender above another, and create a rift on campus. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 7/21/09 @ 3:32 PM EST
Harassment is clearly defined in the law. In order to be "harassing," speech must be severe, pervasive, and objectively and subjectively offensive. Defining "offensive" speech as "harassment" is not only overbroad, but a travesty to those who believe in freedom. (Continued…)
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