What you can do.

Say something. Do something.

A lot of people have asked what they can do after reading my ongoing account of my first year as a DMA student in orchestral conducting at Eastman. Thank you for asking the right question. I’ll update this page if new actions come up.

And please consider what our profession would look like if I could spend all this time and energy just doing my work.

Write to Eastman’s leadership. Say this is unacceptable and call for change. A copy-paste template is below.

Do: take a sentence or two (or more) to personalize if you can. Why are you writing? Why is this important to you?

Do: ask for the things listed. The problem is more than one or two guys, and there has to be some systemic changes.

You will receive a dismissive form response from Eastman. Reply and insist on a better one.

Copy-paste email

To: ksheeran@esm.rochester.edu; ThePresidentsOffice@rochester.edu, provost@rochester.edu

Bcc: rebeccabryantnovak@substack.com

Subject: Stop misogyny at ESM

Dear Dean Sheeran -

I have read Rebecca Bryant Novak's recent writing about harassment and retaliation at the Eastman School of Music. I am troubled by the unacceptable behavior Eastman tolerates from its faculty, as well as a culture of sexism, misogyny, and abuse at Eastman.

I have also heard increasing and alarming reports from other students that show a long history of this behavior being tolerated and enabled at Eastman.

I support Ms. Bryant Novak's call for action at the Eastman School of Music. I ask that you:

1 - Develop a clear safety net for students who report concerns.

2 - Develop an anti-bullying policy to prevent further abuse.

3 - Set standards of equity in all departments

4 - Have serious school-wide conversations about gender, accountability, entitlement, and abuse of power.

5 - Replace John Hain as Eastman’s Title IX Coordinator

If Eastman does not make serious progress in the way it supports and respects women in its community, the school does not deserve my support or others'. Make these changes quickly and let women in your community lead the way.