Waltham's Bentley University Implements Efforts To Reduce Sexism

WALTHAM, MA — Bentley University in Waltham has released details on their efforts to reduce sexism on campus as more and more college students across the country come forward with their stories and demand change.

According to Bentley, the administrators of the Instagram account @Sexism.at.Bentley brought attention to the impact of sexism at the university and shared a plan for ways to make a difference.

"The levels at which sexism operates range from interpersonal interactions to systemic policies and practices," said Bentley's Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Katie Lampley in a statement. "We all have a role to play in preventing and responding to sexism."

Since May, a group of Bentley faculty and staff have been meeting to coordinate a response strategy and recommend changes. Here are the initiatives that have been implemented over the last few months:

• Increased accessibility of resources for community members. This includes adding the option to report an incident anonymously though EthicsPoint, back of door resource signage in all residential rooms, a website that consolidates resources and policies for reporting incidents of sexism or interpersonal violence, and an improved website with resources for victims.
• Specialized training for faculty and staff. More than 30% of faculty and staff have completed a 120-minute training facilitated by REACH Beyond Domestic Violence. As part of a Department of Justice grant, University Police completed a two-part training on best practices for responding to an incident of interpersonal violence. All staff who focus on discipline for gender-based violence and discrimination completed a training with Boston Area Rape Crisis Center staff.
• Provided clarity on employee reporting responsibilities. Human Resources and Title IX have worked to revise campus resources that more clearly explain employee designations for community members. As a reminder, Confidential Employees do not have to report identifiable information to the university, Responsible Employees are required to notify Title IX when an incident is reported to them.
• Engaged external consultants to conduct a review of existing policies and systems to recommend structural changes. Two separate reviews are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of current prevention, reporting, and compliance structures and policies at Bentley. The results will inform structural change.
• Formalized and expanded partnerships. Bentley has partnered with REACH Beyond Domestic Violence and Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. To supplement advocacy and support services while systemic changes are considered, the university has expanded the activities provided by these local partners, including weekly on-campus office hours hosted by REACH staff.

"Although these efforts represent movement in the right direction, this is not enough to shift the culture or to create the community we all deserve," said Lampley. "The ability to do that rests in the hands of every student organization, campus department, residence hall and faculty committee."

"Every one of us can make a difference," she continued. "Our goal is to ensure that movement continues and that we honor the voices of the students and employees who feel the impact of sexism every day."

Anyone with questions on Bentley's efforts to combat sexism can reach out to Lampley at klampley@bentley.edu.