The Speak Out on November 16 was a powerful reminder of the work that we have to do—at OSU, in Corvallis, in Oregon, and in the US—to ensure that people feel safe and supported in our communities.

“Oregon State University, in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of its policies, procedures, or practices.” (Source).

We have a responsibility to respond in an intentional manner if people with these or other identities experience discrimination, harassment, or ostracism on our campus. Each and every member of our university community must be proactive in ensuring that people are treated in a manner that does not lead to marginalization for any individual. Each year we ask all graduating graduate students to complete an exit survey so we can understand their experiences at OSU. Approximately 20% of those completing the survey indicate that they have witnessed prejudicial behavior during their time at OSU. I suspect that more would report such behavior if they were informed about systems of oppression and privilege. In addition, 10% of our graduate students report directly experiencing prejudice, most often based on gender, race, sexual orientation, and religion. I expect that intersections among these identities and others—such as age and student-parent status—leads to an even greater probability of experiencing prejudice.

Some identities in our society are bestowed privileges not experienced by others. As a transwoman, I am fully aware that my early career was enabled by white male privilege, made even more apparent to me following my transition. Those with privilege have power and opportunities that those with less privilege will not experience. Graduate students are, on the one hand, privileged by having a bachelor’s degree or higher and, on the other hand, underprivileged when interacting with faculty who not only have a PhD, but who are in positions of institutional power. Credentialism, or privilege based on having met certain educational benchmarks, leads to a significant power hierarchy on college campuses. The individual voice of an undergraduate is less likely to have influence than her Teaching Assistant, and the TA’s voice may have less influence than the Assistant Professor, who has less influence than a tenured faculty member, who is supervised by a department head, whose dean is responsible for a college, who reports to the provost, who is supervised by the President, and who answers to the Board of Trustees. Staff are often somewhere in the hierarchy between students and faculty. Where credentialism intersects with other identities that are conventionally and historically marginalized in academia and society at-large, people can have even less power within this hierarchy. This power hierarchy—alongside a lack of inclusive safety on this campus—is why I and others in the Graduate School hear from 2-3 students a week experiencing, in their words, abusive behavior, from others with more power. It is why the Ombuds office is very busy meeting with graduate students. It is why Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) sees so many graduate students. It is why we need a collective voice from graduate students to make others aware of their experiences and instances of prejudice they observe and experience on campus. Since the hierarchy of credentialed power seems inevitable at most academic institutions, what can be done? I suggest that those with the greatest power and privilege have a responsibility to use that power to enable equity and support for those with less power and privilege. That is a responsibility of every one of us.

If you are experiencing the negative consequences of power and privilege, you are not alone. There are resources to assist you: a trusted faculty or staff member, an administrator, the Graduate School, Ombuds Office, CAPS, Intercultural Student Services, and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Your collective voice is powerful. Seek out others experiencing similar behaviors and speak out as a group. Demand fair treatment. And finally, know that you have allies with culturally bestowed privilege who are in positions of power across campus that stand by you and will do whatever it takes to ensure that you are given what you deserve: the opportunity to succeed and flourish in Graduate School. Reach out – we stand together.

Brenda McComb, Dean
The Graduate School
Rm 300 Kerr Admin Bldg
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon, 97331 USA
brenda.mccomb@oregonstate.edu
Phone: 541-737-4881 , Fax: 541-737-3313
http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/graduate/
http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/trustees/members

Continuing the Dialogue:
The Graduate School
Office of Equity & Inclusion
Ombuds Office
CAPS
Diversity & Engagement
ADVANCE
Student Affairs
Campus Civility & Inclusivity Campaign