The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics has been facing immense criticism on grounds of sexism. 

The recorded instances of sexism in the department began in 2018 when a female faculty member resigned, citing sexism and misogyny as the reason for her departure.

The following year, the Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) office conducted an investigation into the department. The EOAA’s findings from the 2019 investigation ruled that the department was an environment that “a reasonable female department member would find to be intimidating, hostile or offensive.” 

Parties involved in the misconduct have been named, but all remain affiliated with the university.

The most recent bout of controversy the department has faced came this year when a nationally-recognized, female UMD professor resigned, citing sexual harassment and discrimination as her reasoning.

Various UMD faculty members, including Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Fernando Delgado and Swenson College of Science and Engineering Dean Wendy Reed, released statements.

“The university takes all reports of misconduct seriously and is committed to the continuous improvement of our campus climate,” Delgado said. “While privacy laws limit us from getting into too much detail, immediate action was taken and continues to occur to address the matter.”

Reed went into detail on the specific steps to be taken in order to better the culture of the department. 

“In addition to addressing incidents of misconduct directly, in SCSE we are working to build a culture that supports people in this work,” Reed said. “We do that through evaluating, documenting and changing our policies and procedures that may introduce bias, by supporting education and training, by providing opportunities for dialogue and growth.”

Delgado offered his support for Reed during this time.

“As the Executive Vice Chancellor, I am confident that Dean Wendy Reed is the right leader for the Swenson College of Science and Engineering,” Delgado said. “As the search process unfolded in 2017-18, the university knew that prioritizing gender and other forms of diversity were going to be key components for a successful dean.”

Chancellor Lendley Black also released a joint statement with Delgado and Reed via an email to the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

The email includes a list of seven positive changes that Reed has begun to make in the department alongside fellow UMD faculty and other outside help. It then wraps up by offering resources for those experiencing this kind of bias and for anyone needing assistance for their mental health during this time.

“We understand that wrongs cannot be righted in ways that all will find acceptable,” the email read. “Our culture cannot be changed quickly, nor can the progress we have made to date be seen as ‘solving’ an issue. We are committed to working with you, day in and day out, to seek prevention, transparency, and justice that makes our community stronger together.”

If anyone in the UMD community is experiencing any kind of discrimination or harassment, they are encouraged to report these incidents to the UMD Campus Climate website. Follow the steps listed on the website based on the nature of misconduct committed, and action will be taken to resolve the issue. Incidents can be reported anonymously.