by Editor in Chief Staff Writer Published May 29th, 2009

Dear editors, 

My reaction to last issue’s article “Harassed” was very simple: it’s about time. Sexual harassment is one of the most misrepresented and mishandled issues at Principia, both Upper School and College. In an official capacity, it is quite simply never talked about openly, and in an unofficial one, it is not clearly understood. So I was highly gratified to finally see an article discussing and exploring it in such great depth and with such excellent writing. 

In my experience, students who are victims of harassment are rarely given clear instruction on how to handle those situations, nor are their cases typically allotted the prayerful support and decisive action they probably should be, leaving the students frightened and confused. On the other hand, while many cases of malicious and purposeful sexual harassment do exist, some students accused of harassment are simply victims of misunderstanding, because the Matthew Code is almost never used in these situations. Often the first time a student is made aware that his or her behavior is causing discomfort in others is in the same OSL meeting that accuses him or her of sexual harassment and threatens (or even levies) harsh punishment. Moreover, neither harassed nor harassers are encouraged to move forward in constructive ways. Spitirual growth, forgiveness and reconciliation, though not always situationally feasible, are not usually encouraged or even considered, with the emphasis instead being on personal avoidance and punishment. This tactic allows gossip, judgment, shunning, revenge and labeling to dictate the social circumstances of all involved. In other words, the focus is nearly always on the problem, not the solution, on getting the situation out of the way humanly rather than solving it metaphysically. 

This outlook is wrong. Principia is a place of social and spiritual harmony, and no human action or reaction should be allowed to shake the foundations of Love and Principle on which it stands. Not only should this harmony of Principia be better upheld and represented as it pertains to harassment, but the cloud of general ignorance that surrounds the issue of harassment and allows its extensive mishandling needs to dissipate. It is my hope that the article “Harassed” will be the first step to opening a Principia dialogue about sexual harassment that is clear, peaceful, progressive, compassionate, and expectant of good to all. Thank you.

Anonymous

Letter to the editors,

In the last edition of the Pilot published on May 8, 2009, there was an article by [a Pilot staff writer] on the Sexual Harassment process at Principia. We appreciate issues being brought up in the Pilot; however, we were saddened with the lack of balance with which the article was written.

While the article stated the dissatisfaction of two community members regarding the process, it failed to cite the number of satisfied community members. Principia has had a significant record of success in around 50 cases across both campuses over the last ten years. These cases have involved all members of our community including faculty, staff, and students. In each case there has been resolution and healing, allowing all parties to progress in their individual lives. Cases have resulted in a variety of outcomes – teachable moments, reconciliation, employment dismissals, student suspensions or expulsions – and a newfound respect for members of the opposite gender where it was lacking.

These cases are not widely known, as it is customary to be confidential regarding any case. It is important that Principia respect each party involved, in order to bring each case to proper resolution.

Another important aspect to note here is that the purpose of the process is to be in compliance with the Federal Law, and at Principia we carry it further to include the element of healing. That healing may happen at Principia or elsewhere.

In Science and Health, pg. 542: 20, Mary Baker Eddy says, “Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God’s own way and let human justice pattern the divine.” With this in mind, each year Principia reviews and fine-tunes the process for continual improvement based on what we have learned. We know it has blessed many, but we also know there is room for improvement.

If anyone has questions or concerns regarding sexual harassment, please go to any member of OSL or the Human Resource Department for clarification and additional information.

Sincerely,

Dorsie Glen
Katherine Milner

Dear Editor,

I would like to thank you for running the article “Harassed” in the last issue of The Pilot. From my experience while a student,
Principia’s handling of harassment cases, whether Prin considers them to be sexual or not, is unprofessional, irresponsible, and leaves the
impression that those in power have a general disregard for the safety and well-being of the student body.

I never filed a harassment complaint, but I was brought in as a witness for the cases of a few students who were harassed by one individual last year. I spoke to the Dean of Students at the time, who seemed to regard the specific actions of the individual in question, which included physical violence, as minor, until I mentioned the possibility of mental malpractice. I believe that although as a Christian Science Institution, Principia has a special duty to guard against malpractice, it has a legal and ethical responsibility to protect community members’ physical safety to an equal or greater degree. When I told this to the Dean, she said she believed the opposite was true.

I was also asked what I thought the individual in question’s punishment should be. I believe that there should policies in place to answer that question. Victims of harassment are often under too much stress to make a decision like that, and it is certainly not the place of witnesses to make such a decision.
I was never told what the individual’s punishment ended up being, and at least some of the students who brought complaints against the individual were also not told. I do know that the individual was allowed to keep their job in community safety after the case had been “resolved.” In the end, as a student of Principia, I felt harassed, not by any individual, but by an institution that seemed to be utterly complacent towards the safety of its students.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Snow

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