Equity Experiences Survey FAQ

Incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct harm individuals, our community, and Berklee’s values as a leader in music education. These incidents are underreported in every community, including Berklee. With a high response rate, the survey can provide Berklee with important new and more accurate data to inform initiatives that will make Berklee a safer and more equitable place. These issues can be incredibly hard for those affected—know that your response will help us make Berklee a safer place.

No. This is for students at the College, Conservatory, in Valencia, and online.

The survey asks about harassment, discrimination, and sexual misconduct during your time as a Berklee student. The survey asks students about their perceptions of these behaviors and Berklee’s response. The survey addresses discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct when it occurs on the basis of any of the following: age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, mental illness, military/veteran status, national/ethnic origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Full definitions are available in Berklee’s equity policy. Discrimination could be summarized as conduct that excludes, denies benefits to, or treats differently any individual when that treatment occurs on the basis of a perceived or actual protected characteristic. Harassment could be summarized as unwelcome, offensive conduct that occurs on the basis of an individual’s perceived or actual protected characteristic. Sexual misconduct could be summarized as a broad term encompassing a variety of behaviors that are unwelcome, offensive, and of a sexual nature. 

You can access the survey here.

Yes. The survey does not link back or provide any information about who responds. The survey does not record IP addresses. The survey does not allow participants to identify themselves or anyone else. People who respond to the survey can stop taking it at any time and can skip any questions. The survey asks demographic questions; if Berklee receives data about demographic groups that have fewer than five members, that data will not be revealed or will be combined with a larger group to maintain privacy for those individuals. The survey does use a cookie so that a user can start the survey and return to it later on the same device, but that does not identify the participant.

No, the survey is not required, nor will Berklee track who completes the survey.

We anticipate the results will be available during the 2017–2018 academic year. Berklee will share the results with the community, including alumni, and discuss how the data will inform our short- and long-term responses regarding policy, prevention, and education. As Berklee develops evidence-based responses, we will communicate those actions to the community.

The average time to complete the survey is 20 minutes.

Yes, so long as you use the same device.

The survey will be available until May 3 for College, Conservatory, and Valencia students. It will be available until May 17 for online students. 

Incidents can be reported to Berklee’s chief equity officer, Christopher Kandus-Fisher, at ckandusfisher@berklee.edu or 617-747-2330. More information is available on Berklee’s equity website.

Students seeking confidential support can make an appointment with Counseling Services by calling 617-747-2310. Students seeking support like no-contact orders, alterations to class or living arrangements, or assistance reporting to law enforcement can contact Berklee’s chief equity officer, Christopher Kandus-Fisher, at ckandusfisher@berklee.edu or 617-747-2330. More information is available on Berklee’s equity website, including off-campus resources.

Berklee’s equity policy and process addresses how Berklee will respond to reports of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct. The policy and process applies to all students, faculty, staff, and anyone else who interacts with the Berklee community. Title IX is a federal law in the United States that prohibits discrimination based on sex and gender in educational programs that receive federal funding. For more information, visit Berklee’s equity website.  

The “protected characteristics” in Berklee’s equity policy are all protected by either federal law or Massachusetts law. Other identities like appearance, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliation, or principal instrument may be important to individuals and/or public policy, but they are not currently protected under state or federal law.

Visit the equity policy website for more information about the policy or the survey. You can also contact Christy Anthony, deputy for equity system administration, at canthony@berklee.edu or 617-747-2752.

• Office for Diversity and Inclusion
• Diversity Values Statement
• Equity Policy
• Personal Counseling