TO: the Harkness College faculty, fellows, and student body
Dear colleagues,
One of the most important goals of the dean’s office is to ensure that all members of the Harkness College community can live and study together in a safe and supportive atmosphere. As part of our commitment to equality and safety, our efforts against sexual harassment and sexual violence are ongoing and constantly under review. We take our commitment very seriously.
As part of our continued effort to improve our policies and procedures, I write to you today to announce that Harkness College has retained the services of Dreyfus and Arlington, Inc. This firm, staffed mainly by retired judges and other legal experts, will be occasionally engaged to assist in the college’s efforts to investigate and adjudicate cases of suspected sexual assault and misconduct.
While the college retains the certainty that we are the last best arbiters of our own systems and beliefs, certain cases may require timely intervention and investigation by persons with lifelong experience in these matters.
By contracting their expertise, we can make our campus and community even safer and more equitable than it already is.
Any questions regarding this decision may be forwarded to my office. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dean Wilma Waite, PhD
