To the Vassar Community:
We the undersigned, who have been promoted to the rank of full professor in 2021-22 and 2022-23, are writing to add our strong support for the class action gender discrimination lawsuit against the College. We take this opportunity to thank and salute the 41 female full professors, including the five plaintiffs, for their work to ensure that Vassar brings its review and compensation practices into line with the College’s long-standing ethos of gender equity, and its current mission to lead on issues of equity and inclusion; we join them in that effort.
We also share the concern of our Associate Professors (“Letter to the Editor: Associate professors support lawsuit”) that some of our own experiences, direct or indirect, have led us to question how gender- and race-based discrimination and bias may currently exist in structures and practices related to promotion and salary recommendations at all ranks.
We add our voices to those calling on the Trustees, President Bradley and the Administration to settle the case promptly, amicably and by agreeing to full compensation for financial inequities over time. We also call on the College to include full compensation for the expenses connected with this suit. Finally, we express our gratitude to, and admiration for, the many students who have so thoughtfully and professionally responded to the issue via their writings and actions.
April M. Beisaw,
Professor of Anthropology
Lynn Christenson,
Professor of Biology
Yvonne Elet,
Professor of Art History
Maria Hantzopoulos,
Professor of Education
Kathryn L. Libin,
Professor of Music
Erin McCloskey,
Professor of Education
Molly S. McGlennen,
Professor of English
Love the solidarity of all our women at Vassar.
This should send a strong signal to the management that if all our female faculty resign enmasse – they could shutdown Vassar.
At a time when the job market is booming and with the lack of experienced teachers – it would bring management to the negotiating table and agree to meet all and every demand of female facility with no questions whatsoever.
Alumni 1994
Sara
This is such a well written letter with a lot of care and thought.
Especially like the ask for Vassar to pay for legal fees of the five faculty members who filed the suit against Vassar. This would help relieve the burden for future female professors who may be fearful of seeking fairness.
Kudos to Vassar female faculty
Don Bradman