Women in politics deserve respect
Kylie Cameron stands in front of the Capitol building.
For the Oct. 23 issue of The Sunflower, I wrote a column about sexual harassment and assault. This time, it’s personal.
Last week, reports of Democratic lawmakers sexually harassing young women (and men) began to surface — first from The Hill, then The Kansas City Star, and then The Wichita Eagle. Those women who were being harassed could’ve been me.
I worked for the Kansas Democratic Party as a field intern during the 2016 election cycle. Afterwards, I was accepted into the internship program here at Wichita State and almost accepted an internship at the Kansas State Capitol before I was offered an internship in DC to work for a female senator, who was also sexually harassed when she was an intern in her state’s legislature.
In my senator’s office, we were told, time and time again, if we witnessed or experienced sexual harassment to report it and take action against it. We even had orientation modules on how to report it.
This is how the Kansas legislature should operate when it comes to harassment.
Young women who are given the opportunity of a lifetime shouldn’t have to deal with this. They shouldn’t have to be scared of going into work because someone is going to harass them and make comments that make them uncomfortable. Workplaces aren’t somewhere where you should be hitting on anyone. Period.
Thinking back to when I worked for the party in the 2016 election, I should have known this was going to come out eventually.
When I told my bosses I was potentially going to be interning in the State Capitol, the first thing they told me was congratulations. The next thing they told me was if anyone made comments to me that were inappropriate, I needed to report it immediately and not brush it off. They then told me of several instances of harassment they had heard about or witnessed and then named off legislators who I should avoid.
This past week, my friends told me even more stories of sexual harassment in the Capitol and on campaigns they had experienced. I was told of instances where even men were being sexually harassed. But no one is willing to go on the record about these things due to fear of retaliation by their employers or fear of losing future job opportunities. People shouldn’t have to fear for their jobs for telling the truth.
For a party that’s “progressive” and “pro-women,” we need to do better for our future leaders and actually do something about sexual harassment.
Kylie Cameron was the Editor in Chief of The Sunflower for the 2019-2020 school year.
She is a senior studying political science and journalism and...
Real Shocker • Nov 5, 2017 at 4:16 pm
November 4,
2017
On October 27th I sent the following letter to members of the WSU Faculty
Senate, WSU Unclassified Professional Senate, WSU University Support Staff
Senate, Executive Team, Kansas Board of Regents, media, and others.
I hope that individual who have encountered negative behavior feel supported in
speaking out about what happened to them.
Sincerely,
Wade Robinson
***************************
October
26, 2017
To Members of the community:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
National dialogue continues to take place regarding inappropriate behavior
related to sexual harassment/misconduct/assault. Many people have come out in
the news and regretted they did not say something sooner. I want to avoid any
regret and share some experiences in the event it might help others.
On January 22, 2017 I was told that staff from Wichita State University (WSU)
were made aware of an allegation of sexual harassment/sexual misconduct against
Darron Boatright, WSU Athletic Director.
I informed a staff member in the Human Resources Office at WSU of the
allegation on February 21, 2017. On May 2, 2017 I made staff in the Human
Resources Office, the Title IX Office and the EEO/AA Office at WSU aware of the
details of the incident as I knew them. I also made the CEO, Blake Flanders,
and General Counsel, Julene Miller, at the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) aware
of the allegation.
On May 2, 2017 I also made the same staff at WSU and KBOR aware of another
incident I witnessed in late Spring 2014 involving David Wright and President
Bardo making offensive commentary regarding a female employee in the
Information Technology department. This incident was about three months before
Jim Pulliam was hired at WSU. As some of you may know, Jim Pulliam filed a
lawsuit against WSU alleging retaliation for opposing racially and sexually
inappropriate comments made by David Wright. The lawsuit filed by Jim Pulliam
against WSU was resolved earlier in 2017 and is believed to be subject to a
confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement (NDA).
I also notified the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offices in Kansas City as well as the Kansas
Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in Topeka about the incidents.
I was told that between January 22, 2017 and April 29, 2017 an investigation of
the allegation involving Darron Boatright was conducted by staff in the Human
Resources Office at WSU. I was contacted by staff from the OCR and EEOC Offices
and interviewed about the details of the complaints I filed with them. I do not
know the outcome of any investigation.
Because the issues related to sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are major
topics of discussion in our society today, I feel it is important to speak out.
I believe I have waited an appropriate amount of time for investigations to
take place.
According to a June 14, 2017 article in the Lawrence Journal-World, President
Bardo received a 2% salary increase from the Board of Regents this year. Only
two presidents of KBOR Regent institutions received salary increases this year
according to the LJW story for what the Regents described as related to market
rates and performance. President Bardo’s salary went from $357,178 to $364,322
according to the LJW article. However, that is not reflected in the WSU FY 2018
Operating Budget Book in the WSU Library. It is also interesting to note that the
“KanView – Transparency in Government” web site will list President Bardo’s
2017-2018 salary as $370,915 for the current year when it is updated in the
very near future according to information they shared with me. That would be a
$13,737 (3.84%) increase from last year. The KanView web link is at:
http://kanview.ks.gov/
According to the University Budget Book for FY 2018, Darron Boatright received
a $7,400 (3.84%) salary increase that was part of his contract from August 25,
2016. According to the Budget Book his salary went from $192,600 to $200,000.
The KanView web site will list Darron Boatright’s salary for this year at
$200,007 which is a $7,407 (3.84%) increase from last year according to
information they shared with me.
According to the University Budget Book for FY 2018, David Wright’s salary is
$171,257 which is the same as listed last year. However, the KanView web site
will list David Wright’s salary for the current year at $177,843 which is a
$6,586 (3.84%) increase according to information they shared with me.
On June 15, 2017 the Wichita Eagle reported that several WSU staff members were
paid various amounts as part of separation agreements. Information regarding
the Jim Pulliam lawsuit resolution is listed in that article. The article states
Jim Pulliam was paid $100,000 to “forego litigation of the dispute” of the
lawsuit he filed saying he was fired in retaliation for objecting to racially
and sexually explicit language used by David Wright. The Eagle article is at
the following web link: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article156439794.html
In a recent CNN story titled Money, Power & Sexual Harassment that featured
six women in the technology field who shared their stories of sexual harassment
from venture capitalists, entrepreneur Bea Arthur said, “People at the top stay
at the top, and they understand each other. They have vouched, and more
importantly, covered for each other.” I found the story and that quote to be
very powerful. The web link is: http://money.cnn.com/technology/sexual-harassment-tech/
On October 22, 2017 CNN had another story with an interview with Gretchen
Carlson that talks about settlements and silence. I found the story relevant in
today’s environment. The web link is:
http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/22/media/gretchen-carlson-bill-oreilly/index.html
I have learned much over the past few years about what resources are available
to students, faculty, and staff who experience negative behavior. It is hard to
know who to report to and to know the deadlines to report this behavior.
I encourage those who have information to report to share the information with
the WSU Office of Human Resources, the WSU Title IX Office, the WSU EEO/AA
Office, and the Kansas Board of Regents Office.
I believe it is important to report immediately. However, do not stop
there. The following resources are available as well.
Kansas Whistleblower Act
Kansas Statute 75-2973 is known as the Kansas Whistleblower Act. Copies are
available online or in the Human Resources Office.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Kansas City Area Office
Gateway Tower II
400 State Ave., Suite 905
Kansas City, KS 66101
800-669-4000
United States Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights – Region VII
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106-2106
816-268-0563
Kansas Human Rights Commission
900 SW Jackson, Suite 568-S
Topeka, KS 66612-1258
785-296-3206
Sincerely,
Wade Robinson, Ph.D.
Former WSU Vice President for Student Affairs
Wade Robinson • Nov 2, 2017 at 7:45 am
The following is a letter I sent to members of the WSU Faculty Senate, Unclassified Professional Senate, University Support Staff Senate, Executive Team, and the members of the Kansas Board of Regents. It was also sent to others.
The lawsuit I filed in March 2016 details other experiences I had while working at WSU. I hope people are willing to some forward and be on the record about issues they have experienced.
Sincerely,
Wade Robinson
***************
October 26, 2017
To Members of the community:
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
“The time is always right to do what is right.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
National dialogue continues to take place regarding inappropriate behavior related to sexual harassment/misconduct/assault. Many people have come out in the news and regretted they did not say something sooner. I want to avoid any regret and share some experiences in the event it might help others.
On January 22, 2017 I was told that staff from Wichita State University (WSU) were made aware of an allegation of sexual harassment/sexual misconduct against Darron Boatright, WSU Athletic Director. I informed a staff member in the Human Resources Office at WSU of the allegation on February 21, 2017. On May 2, 2017 I made staff in the Human Resources Office, the Title IX Office and the EEO/AA Office at WSU aware of the details of the incident as I knew them. I also made the CEO, Blake Flanders, and General Counsel, Julene Miller, at the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) aware of the allegation.
On May 2, 2017 I also made the same staff at WSU and KBOR aware of another incident I witnessed in late Spring 2014 involving David Wright and President Bardo making offensive commentary regarding a female employee in the Information Technology department. This incident was about three months before Jim Pulliam was hired at WSU. As some of you may know, Jim Pulliam filed a lawsuit against WSU alleging retaliation for opposing racially and sexually inappropriate comments made by David Wright. The lawsuit filed by Jim Pulliam against WSU was resolved earlier in 2017 and is believed to be subject to a confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement (NDA).
I also notified the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) offices in Kansas City as well as the Kansas Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in Topeka about the incidents.
I was told that between January 22, 2017 and April 29, 2017 an investigation of the allegation involving Darron Boatright was conducted by staff in the Human Resources Office at WSU. I was contacted by staff from the OCR and EEOC Offices and interviewed about the details of the complaints I filed with them. I do not know the outcome of any investigation.
Because the issues related to sexual harassment and sexual misconduct are major topics of discussion in our society today, I feel it is important to speak out. I believe I have waited an appropriate amount of time for investigations to take place.
According to a June 14, 2017 article in the Lawrence Journal-World, President Bardo received a 2% salary increase from the Board of Regents this year. Only two presidents of KBOR Regent institutions received salary increases this year according to the LJW story for what the Regents described as related to market rates and performance. President Bardo’s salary went from $357,178 to $364,322 according to the LJW article. However, that is not reflected in the WSU FY 2018 Operating Budget Book in the WSU Library. It is also interesting to note that the “KanView – Transparency in Government” web site will list President Bardo’s 2017-2018 salary as $370,915 for the current year when it is updated in the very near future according to information they shared with me. That would be a $13,737 (3.84%) increase from last year. The KanView web link is at: http://kanview.ks.gov/
According to the University Budget Book for FY 2018, Darron Boatright received a $7,400 (3.84%) salary increase that was part of his contract from August 25, 2016. According to the Budget Book his salary went from $192,600 to $200,000. The KanView web site will list Darron Boatright’s salary for this year at $200,007 which is a $7,407 (3.84%) increase from last year according to information they shared with me.
According to the University Budget Book for FY 2018, David Wright’s salary is $171,257 which is the same as listed last year. However, the KanView web site will list David Wright’s salary for the current year at $177,843 which is a $6,586 (3.84%) increase according to information they shared with me.
On June 15, 2017 the Wichita Eagle reported that several WSU staff members were paid various amounts as part of separation agreements. Information regarding the Jim Pulliam lawsuit resolution is listed in that article. The article states Jim Pulliam was paid $100,000 to “forego litigation of the dispute” of the lawsuit he filed saying he was fired in retaliation for objecting to racially and sexually explicit language used by David Wright. The Eagle article is at the following web link: http://www.kansas.com/news/local/article156439794.html
In a recent CNN story titled Money, Power & Sexual Harassment that featured six women in the technology field who shared their stories of sexual harassment from venture capitalists, entrepreneur Bea Arthur said, “People at the top stay at the top, and they understand each other. They have vouched, and more importantly, covered for each other.” I found the story and that quote to be very powerful. The web link is: http://money.cnn.com/technology/sexual-harassment-tech/
On October 22, 2017 CNN had another story with an interview with Gretchen Carlson that talks about settlements and silence. I found the story relevant in today’s environment. The web link is: http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/22/media/gretchen-carlson-bill-oreilly/index.html
I have learned much over the past few years about what resources are available to students, faculty, and staff who experience negative behavior. It is hard to know who to report to and to know the deadlines to report this behavior.
I encourage those who have information to report to share the information with the WSU Office of Human Resources, the WSU Title IX Office, the WSU EEO/AA Office, and the Kansas Board of Regents Office. I believe it is important to report immediately. However, do not stop there. The following resources are available as well.
Kansas Whistleblower Act
Kansas Statute 75-2973 is known as the Kansas Whistleblower Act. Copies are available online or in the Human Resources Office.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Kansas City Area Office
Gateway Tower II
400 State Ave., Suite 905
Kansas City, KS 66101
800-669-4000
United States Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights – Region VII
One Petticoat Lane
1010 Walnut Street, Suite 320
Kansas City, MO 64106-2106
816-268-0563
Kansas Human Rights Commission
900 SW Jackson, Suite 568-S
Topeka, KS 66612-1258
785-296-3206
Sincerely,
Wade Robinson, Ph.D.
Former WSU Vice President for Student Affairs
Accountability • Nov 2, 2017 at 7:34 am
People need to go on the record if they experience sexual harassment, observe sexual harassment, or have knowledge and details of issues and attempts to cover them up. How else will behavior change?