Toronto plans fairness in music review after allegations of racism and sexism

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The University of Toronto’s new music dean is planning an outside review after months of protests from faculty and students against the renowned school’s alleged racist and sexist behavior and programs.

New dean, Ellie Hisama, in one of her first steps upon arriving from Columbia University, promised an impartial and confidential assessment of the climate of music schools by independent external experts.

I am fully aware that I am coming at a difficult time, said Professor Hisama in an open letter to the music school community. Ensuring that the Faculty of Music is a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment in which we can all excel is my first priority as a new dean.

Professor Hisama replaces Don McLean, a professor of music theory and musicology who has served as Dean for the past decade and who has faced growing discontent and demands for change due to an alleged environment of misogyny and d racial inequality within the school.

Music students in Toronto seemed pleased with Professor Hisamas’ initiative as part of her initial response to the circumstances she uncovers upon arrival. An impartial investigation has long been necessary; It’s a step in the right direction, the Faculty of Music Undergraduate Student Association said in a response.

The association has led several hundred students and other university affiliates to petition in recent months asking for changes that included an external review. The signatories of the letter alleged more than 65 cases of sexual harassment and abuse within the music school and suggested that many other victims involved were too afraid to speak out.

A separate appeal by nearly 200 students and staff last year criticized the school for failing to combat the inherently Eurocentric bias in teaching music.

Professor McLean responded to the largest petition with a note of agreement on the urgent need for change while saying key decisions would be left to Professor Hisama when he arrives in Toronto this month.

The petitioners acknowledged that such issues of sexual harassment appear to be prevalent in higher education, and particularly prevalent in music education, which emphasizes individual education.

They cited data from Statistics Canada showing that more than 70 percent of post-secondary students in nations witnessed or experienced unwanted sexualized behavior in 2019. This study also found that 11 percent of female students experienced an sexual assault in a post-secondary setting in the past year.

In addition to requiring the external review, the petitioners demanded mandatory consent training for staff and students, as well as the creation of an internal equity, diversity and inclusion lead.

Professor Hisama has combined his expertise in music theory with a particular focus on issues of genre, culture, ethnicity and neglected composers throughout history.

She vowed before her arrival to carefully assess the situation in Toronto before taking any significant action. Announcing the planned climate and culture review, she gave no immediate details on the process and timeline, but clarified that it would directly involve students, faculty and staff.

This external review will examine issues of culture, leadership and morale, Prof Hisama said, in order to understand how our community’s teaching, learning and working environments reflect our shared commitment to inclusion. , belonging, respect and concern for safety. and the mental health of everyone in our community.

It seems to be working for now in a period of relative goodwill. This investigation, as long as it is truly impartial and confidential, and prioritizes the victims is absolutely necessary and is a necessary first step towards recovery, said the Association of Undergraduates of the Faculty of Music in its response. . Too much has been covered up in the Faculty of Music.

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