The misogyny in society, and music, takes so many forms. In a college choir, the director required a sleepy student to get up before the entire class and lift her shirt to above her waist and show everyone the butt of her pajama pants and then repeat more than once that they said “foxy.” I recall feeling sorry for her but she played it off as good-natured banter. It never occurred to me until years later that this was actually extremely inappropriate behavior for a 50-something man (or any age to do but the authority he projected compounded it). I ended up leaving that choir because the same director didn’t want to honor my (legally required) disability accommodations. I’m sorry you and all those students, faculty and staff harassed by this director are going through this and I’m equally incensed that other people enabled this behavior.
When I played in a college orchestra this is how the director behaved, especially towards women professors and staff. It was so pervasive. But it wasn’t my major - I quit. I saw this type of behavior again in my then-husband’s medical training between female students and male professors. In a friend’s graduate programs she was assaulted and force out of her program, losing years of scientific research data, and the perpetrator stayed. It is important to have the right language but it’s not nearly enough because it happens over and over and over at so many institutions.
Sending empathy and support. Eastman is doing to you nearly exactly what the [Redacted] Symphony Orchestra Association did to me after I reported discrimination and sexual harassment. Thank you for fighting the good fight. Hope you get a more successful result than I did
This is disgusting and unsurprising. I was Executive Director of a museum before I was terminated for reporting sexual harassment by two octogenarian board members. I see you and stand with you.
I am so sorry you have had this experience, no one should go through this.
It is incredibly brave of you to be a whistleblower. Your choice to stand up for both yourself and others has defined you in the most positive way possible. I had to whistleblow on a very different situation years ago. It was hard to do but I don't regret it two decades later.
Your actions have created change in the world. You should be very proud!
Hey Susan! Good to hear from you - sorry for the delay. I’m new to juggling multiple platforms. :-O The Division of Human Rights charge is pending. There are many other legal avenues to go through once I have an attorney. I’m asking UR to fix it’s own mess before I do that. No student should need a lawyer for the university to follow its own rules. And the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has gotten involved. Go check it out and sign the petition! https://www.thefire.org/rochester
Done! I’ve been reading all of your posts with dismay. It’s reprehensible of the school to not proceed with disciplinary/dismissal procedures against your harasser once its own investigative team found cause.
Can you do anything musically elsewhere at this point? I hope this does not derail your studies completely!
Unfortunately, not really at the moment. Eastman’s actions were insanely destructive. I had to abruptly relocate, it took me six weeks of full-time writing to complete the DHR complaint, and they basically gutted my resume and portfolio. Hopefully once this is resolved they’ll have to take responsibility for the damage, and for all the lost score study I will have the most important conductor-quality of all: being un-f*ck-with-able. :-)
Shameful that they support his behavior. All I can do is send heartfelt support to you and share. Would love to follow you on other platforms as well. As many things are at this time, you are bringing light to grave unneeded misconduct. Infinite support. Love speed. 💜
The misogyny in society, and music, takes so many forms. In a college choir, the director required a sleepy student to get up before the entire class and lift her shirt to above her waist and show everyone the butt of her pajama pants and then repeat more than once that they said “foxy.” I recall feeling sorry for her but she played it off as good-natured banter. It never occurred to me until years later that this was actually extremely inappropriate behavior for a 50-something man (or any age to do but the authority he projected compounded it). I ended up leaving that choir because the same director didn’t want to honor my (legally required) disability accommodations. I’m sorry you and all those students, faculty and staff harassed by this director are going through this and I’m equally incensed that other people enabled this behavior.
When I played in a college orchestra this is how the director behaved, especially towards women professors and staff. It was so pervasive. But it wasn’t my major - I quit. I saw this type of behavior again in my then-husband’s medical training between female students and male professors. In a friend’s graduate programs she was assaulted and force out of her program, losing years of scientific research data, and the perpetrator stayed. It is important to have the right language but it’s not nearly enough because it happens over and over and over at so many institutions.
Sending empathy and support. Eastman is doing to you nearly exactly what the [Redacted] Symphony Orchestra Association did to me after I reported discrimination and sexual harassment. Thank you for fighting the good fight. Hope you get a more successful result than I did
This is disgusting and unsurprising. I was Executive Director of a museum before I was terminated for reporting sexual harassment by two octogenarian board members. I see you and stand with you.
I am so sorry you have had this experience, no one should go through this.
It is incredibly brave of you to be a whistleblower. Your choice to stand up for both yourself and others has defined you in the most positive way possible. I had to whistleblow on a very different situation years ago. It was hard to do but I don't regret it two decades later.
Your actions have created change in the world. You should be very proud!
Unbelievable. I am so disgusted to read of your treatment there. What's the next step? Do you have further recourse?
Hey Susan! Good to hear from you - sorry for the delay. I’m new to juggling multiple platforms. :-O The Division of Human Rights charge is pending. There are many other legal avenues to go through once I have an attorney. I’m asking UR to fix it’s own mess before I do that. No student should need a lawyer for the university to follow its own rules. And the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has gotten involved. Go check it out and sign the petition! https://www.thefire.org/rochester
Done! I’ve been reading all of your posts with dismay. It’s reprehensible of the school to not proceed with disciplinary/dismissal procedures against your harasser once its own investigative team found cause.
Can you do anything musically elsewhere at this point? I hope this does not derail your studies completely!
Unfortunately, not really at the moment. Eastman’s actions were insanely destructive. I had to abruptly relocate, it took me six weeks of full-time writing to complete the DHR complaint, and they basically gutted my resume and portfolio. Hopefully once this is resolved they’ll have to take responsibility for the damage, and for all the lost score study I will have the most important conductor-quality of all: being un-f*ck-with-able. :-)
Shameful that they support his behavior. All I can do is send heartfelt support to you and share. Would love to follow you on other platforms as well. As many things are at this time, you are bringing light to grave unneeded misconduct. Infinite support. Love speed. 💜
Utterly shameful, Eastman.
this is infuriating to read. thank you for sharing your story.