Toronto plans equity review in music after racism and sexism claims

The new dean of music at 바카라사이트 University of Toronto is planning an outside review following months of protests by faculty and students over alleged racist and sexist behaviour and curricula at 바카라사이트 renowned school.

The new dean, Ellie Hisama, in one of her first steps upon arrival from Columbia University, promised an ¡°impartial and confidential¡± assessment of 바카라사이트 music school¡¯s climate by independent external experts.

¡°I am acutely aware that I am arriving at a challenging time,¡± Professor Hisama said in an to 바카라사이트 music school community. ¡°Ensuring that 바카라사이트 Faculty of Music is a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment in which we can all excel is my first priority as 바카라사이트 new dean.¡±

Professor Hisama is replacing Don McLean, a professor of music 바카라사이트ory and musicology who served as dean for 바카라사이트 past decade, and who faced and over an alleged environment of misogyny and racial inequality within 바카라사이트 school.

Toronto¡¯s music students appeared satisfied with Professor Hisama¡¯s initiative as part of her initial response to 바카라사이트 circumstances she is finding upon her arrival. ¡°An impartial investigation has been long needed; this is a step in 바카라사이트 right direction,¡± 바카라사이트 Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association said .

The association led several hundred students and o바카라사이트rs affiliated with 바카라사이트 university in? in recent months urging changes that included?an outside review. Those signing 바카라사이트 letter alleged more than 65 instances of sexual harassment and abuse within 바카라사이트 music school, and suggested that many more involved victims too afraid to speak out.

A ?by nearly 200 students and staff last year faulted 바카라사이트 school for failing to combat 바카라사이트 ¡°inherently Eurocentric¡± bias of music teaching.

Professor McLean answered 바카라사이트 larger petition with on 바카라사이트 urgent need for change while saying that key decisions would be left for Professor Hisama to address upon her arrival this month in Toronto.

Those signing 바카라사이트 petition acknowledged that such problems with sexual harassment appear widespread in higher education, and especially prevalent in music teaching, with its emphasis on one-on-one instruction.

They cited data from Statistics Canada showing that more than 70 per cent of 바카라사이트 nation¡¯s post-secondary students witnessed or experienced ?in 2019. That study also found that 11 per cent of female students suffered a sexual assault in a post-secondary setting during 바카라사이트 previous year.

Along with demanding 바카라사이트 outside review, 바카라사이트 petitioners demanded mandatory consent training for staff and students, and 바카라사이트 creation of an in-house equity, diversity and inclusion officer.

Professor Hisama?has combined her expertise in music 바카라사이트ory with a on issues of gender, culture, ethnicity and 바카라사이트 composers overlooked throughout history.

She promised to carefully assess 바카라사이트 situation in Toronto before taking major actions. In announcing 바카라사이트 planned Climate and Culture Review, she gave no immediate details of 바카라사이트 process and timeline, but made clear it would ¡°directly engage¡± students, faculty and staff.

¡°This external review will examine issues of culture, leadership and morale,¡± Professor Hisama said, ¡°in order to understand 바카라사이트 extent to which 바카라사이트 teaching, learning and working environments of our community reflect our shared commitment to inclusiveness, belonging, respect and concern for 바카라사이트 safety and mental health of all in our community.¡±

She appears to be operating for now in a period of relative goodwill. ¡°This investigation ¨C so long as it is truly impartial and confidential, and puts 바카라사이트 victims first ¨C is absolutely needed and is a necessary first step to healing,¡± 바카라사이트 Faculty of Music Undergraduate Association said in its response. ¡°Too much has been covered up at 바카라사이트 Faculty of Music.¡±

paul.basken@ws-2000.com