Mandatory harassment prevention training
To the members of the MIT community,
As part of MIT’s commitment to creating a learning, living, and work environment free from gender or sex-based discrimination, the Institute requires all graduate students third year and above, and all faculty and staff, to complete an online training focused on preventing and addressing gender and sexual harassment. We write now to share details about what will be asked of you to fulfill this collective responsibility in the new year.
President Reif recently highlighted this effort, which was recommended by a working group and the implementation team for the National Academies report and the Committee on Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response. This new program is intended to complement and reinforce the sexual harassment training program that most of you completed in 2018. Our undergraduate students and first-year graduate students also complete similar ongoing education requirements.
In 2021, we are offering a choice of five different training options to respond to community members’ requests to select among different educational opportunities that align with their interests. We are also highlighting programs and initiatives developed by and for the MIT community. More information about these options, and the rollout schedule indicating when your area is scheduled to take the training, is available online. To fulfill the requirement, you must complete one of the options, but we encourage you to browse or complete additional sections.
We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that MIT has a number of support resources for those who may have experienced sexual misconduct. If you would like to speak confidentially, you can contact MIT’s Violence Prevention & Response Office by calling their hotline at (617) 253-2300 or emailing vpradvocate@mit.edu.
Preventing harassment is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of role, and we believe this training is a critical part of fulfilling that responsibility. Through these ongoing training requirements, our goal is that all MIT community members will understand what constitutes gender and sexual harassment, how to intervene against it, and how to respond effectively to someone impacted by it. Thank you for partnering with us as we work to achieve a campus climate that is welcoming to all.
Sincerely,
Ramona Allen, Vice President for Human Resources
Cynthia Barnhart, Chancellor
Martin A. Schmidt, Provost