Mechanical engineering students at the University of Kansas this week sent a letter to school officials demanding change after a PhD candidate reported abuse and sexual discrimination.
The letter follows a Star story detailing the student's experience of how the university, as she details, failed to protect her after she reported her abuser through the Title IX office.
A copy of the letter, from numerous students at KU, was obtained by The Star. In it, the students, who sent it anonymously for fear of retaliation, called on the university to take immediate action "to correct its wrongdoings."
A poll in a group message among engineering students that was shared with The Star showed that at least 50 students were in support of the letter, even though it was sent unsigned.
"We stand in full solidarity with Jane Doe and recognize the hardships that survivors face every single day," the letter reads. "The toxic culture of enabling sexual abuse must end immediately and is not the culture that we as students want to maintain."
In The Star story article published on Feb. 13, Jane — a pseudonym used to protect her identity — a graduate student at KU, told her story of escaping an abusive ex-boyfriend, who was a senior research assistant in her lab, and how even after expelling him, the university failed to uphold rights granted to her under Title IX.
Lorin Maletsky, a mechanical engineering professor at KU, was accused of retaliating against Jane after she reported her abuser, the details of which are outlined in a sexual discrimination lawsuit the university settled in December. Jane told The Star that Maletsky asked her to take a leave of absence so her abuser could finish his education, and forced her to continue working in the lab where she was sexually assaulted.
Despite asking for help numerous times, she said, the university failed to support her in her education.
In their letter, the students asked that KU issue a public apology to Jane, allow students alternative options to classes taught by Maletsky "in order to ensure that students are able to learn in a comfortable and safe learning environment," and reform the required sexual assault training required of faculty and staff so that it better focuses on "empathizing with and assisting students."
"The Mechanical Engineering Student Body hopes that this letter compels the administration to take immediate action and inspire change within the school," the students conclude.
A spokeswoman for the university on Wednesday pointed The Star to two letters sent to students by university leadership, but did not comment directly on the students' letter.
She added that university employees cannot comment directly on specific allegations, due to FERPA, which is meant to protect the privacy of a student's education records.
On Tuesday afternoon, after the students' letter was sent, Elaina Sutley, associate dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, sent a letter to all engineering students outlining resources and support available to students, as well as the "many things we are doing to prevent experiences like this from happening again in our school."
Sutley wrote that she is also working with engineering faculty to use new trainings, including a new diversity and inclusion course. She said the university also plans to host two "Safe Zone" trainings this semester for engineering faculty and staff.
On Monday, Lisa Friis, the head of the mechanical engineering department, also sent a letter to students outlining resources and emphasizing that the university is prohibited from "commenting directly on specific allegations like those reported."
Jane told The Star she was not involved in writing the letter addressed to university officials, but she has read it.
"I am proud that the students have found their voice and I am grateful for their support," she said. "I came forward primarily to protect other students. I sincerely hope they are able to enact the change I couldn't do for myself."
