A university is a place designed to foster growth on many levels--academically, socially and culturally. However, in order for meaningful strides to be made in these areas, our community must be one where trust and respect operate at the most fundamental levels.
During recent years, these fundamental dictates were undermined by instances of gender-based sexual harassment in the Department of Physics. An article in this past week's edition of the Chronicle of Higher Education criticized the physics department based upon those past allegations and implied that the University has not done enough to foster positive change. While the past instances of misconduct were regrettable, much has been done to redress those errors, and Duke stands greatly improved. The time for action is by no means over, and other University departments should be sure to follow the physics department's lead, but the Chronicle of Higher Education's article certainly overstated the negativity of the classroom-based gender climate at Duke.
Since allegations of gender misconduct first cropped up several years ago, the physics department has taken several important steps with the intention of increasing awareness concerning the issue, fostering dialogue and creating step-by-step procedures for addressing direct or indirect complaints. Specifically, a gender relations committee was formed to identify problems and advise both faculty and students. The department established and filled a new associate chair position to focus on improving teaching and mentoring. The school's harassment policy has also been reviewed and improved. Chair of Physics Harold Baranger deserves a great deal of credit for dealing with the issue promptly.
Although these steps are commendable, the gender relations initiative should be extended throughout the University's other departments, through both tangible, University-led initiatives, and through a general recognition of the problem by students and faculty. As the allegations in the Physics department and the results of the Women's Initiative report have shown, improper conduct--either real or perceived--is a legitimate campus problem.
In the future, President-elect Richard Brodhead and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Geroge McLendon should take care to ensure that the currently established advisory committees on gender issues continue to meet and to foster dialogue throughout the community. All Duke departments should examine themselves critically in light of recent events, and prevent repetition of past incidents.
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