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Harvard Business School's real issue: defensiveness in the face of criticism Harvard Business School's real issue: defensiveness in the face of criticism
(35 minutes later)
If The New York Times is to be believed in their recent expose on gender inequality at Harvard, I should feel excluded at Harvard Business School. I'm a woman (check) who studied film as an undergraduate (check) who came to "HBS" (as it's known) with little money in the bank (check) from a job in the entertainment industry (check).If The New York Times is to be believed in their recent expose on gender inequality at Harvard, I should feel excluded at Harvard Business School. I'm a woman (check) who studied film as an undergraduate (check) who came to "HBS" (as it's known) with little money in the bank (check) from a job in the entertainment industry (check).
Unsurprisingly, I've struggled academically at times and have often not been able to keep up with the swankier events that classmates are planning. Yet, for the most part, I've felt included. Classmates have pitched in to help me with work. And while there's no shortage of conspicuous consumption, there are also always plenty of free, cheap, or heavily subsidized events to attend.Unsurprisingly, I've struggled academically at times and have often not been able to keep up with the swankier events that classmates are planning. Yet, for the most part, I've felt included. Classmates have pitched in to help me with work. And while there's no shortage of conspicuous consumption, there are also always plenty of free, cheap, or heavily subsidized events to attend.
While my largely positive experience seems to be the norm, I've been disappointed by the campus's dismissive reaction to the New York Times article and the larger issues it raises at Harvard and other universities: the plain truth is that there are numerous students who felt strongly enough about being excluded along class and gender lines that they went on record as saying so in one of the most widely read papers in the world. That alone should give all of us at HBS pause.While my largely positive experience seems to be the norm, I've been disappointed by the campus's dismissive reaction to the New York Times article and the larger issues it raises at Harvard and other universities: the plain truth is that there are numerous students who felt strongly enough about being excluded along class and gender lines that they went on record as saying so in one of the most widely read papers in the world. That alone should give all of us at HBS pause.
In the days since the article's publication, almost no one I've spoken to agreed with the story. Most students and faculty were quick to assert how inclusive and welcoming HBS is. The unfortunate effect of this is twofold.In the days since the article's publication, almost no one I've spoken to agreed with the story. Most students and faculty were quick to assert how inclusive and welcoming HBS is. The unfortunate effect of this is twofold.
First, the HBS community is denying itself the opportunity to improve. Clearly, some students have felt excluded, and, even if they're a minority, it's worth devoting time to understand why and how they can feel more included in the future. If the community refuses to acknowledge the problem, it robs itself of its ability to improve.First, the HBS community is denying itself the opportunity to improve. Clearly, some students have felt excluded, and, even if they're a minority, it's worth devoting time to understand why and how they can feel more included in the future. If the community refuses to acknowledge the problem, it robs itself of its ability to improve.
Second, and more troublingly, the students who do feel that HBS is exclusive are now in an even worse position to speak up. The dominant narrative on campus is that HBS includes and welcomes everyone, creating an extremely uncomfortable environment for someone who disagrees. Statements like, "HBS is like the best, most inclusive workplace you can find", ironically make themselves untrue precisely because they exclude anyone who believes the contrary.Second, and more troublingly, the students who do feel that HBS is exclusive are now in an even worse position to speak up. The dominant narrative on campus is that HBS includes and welcomes everyone, creating an extremely uncomfortable environment for someone who disagrees. Statements like, "HBS is like the best, most inclusive workplace you can find", ironically make themselves untrue precisely because they exclude anyone who believes the contrary.
Instead of reacting with compassion for the students who felt excluded from campus life, the campus has responded with defensiveness. If we really are such an inclusive campus, the biggest problem should be that some students clearly disagree. HBS students should focus on how we can include those who feel left out, rather than stressing again and again that HBS welcomes everyone.Instead of reacting with compassion for the students who felt excluded from campus life, the campus has responded with defensiveness. If we really are such an inclusive campus, the biggest problem should be that some students clearly disagree. HBS students should focus on how we can include those who feel left out, rather than stressing again and again that HBS welcomes everyone.
Part of the problem is the difficulty in accurately assessing the culture of HBS. The annual student turnover rate is, in effect, 50% because students only attend for two years. The inflow and exodus of over 900 people each year means that culture, naturally, fluctuates year to year. The administration has to inculcate HBS values to an entire new class every single fall. Even within a year, it's virtually impossible to make sweeping statements about what HBS is like because the experience varies so much across individuals.Part of the problem is the difficulty in accurately assessing the culture of HBS. The annual student turnover rate is, in effect, 50% because students only attend for two years. The inflow and exodus of over 900 people each year means that culture, naturally, fluctuates year to year. The administration has to inculcate HBS values to an entire new class every single fall. Even within a year, it's virtually impossible to make sweeping statements about what HBS is like because the experience varies so much across individuals.
Finally, the defensive reaction is disappointing because it ignores the fact that the article actually highlighted many positive actions taken by HBS. Beyond the student anecdotes, the article largely celebrates the success of the administration's efforts to create a more inclusive, supportive environment for people like me. Poll most students at top business schools – or, really, any top graduate program – and I doubt most of them would say that they have an administration (and, in particular, a male dean) so dedicated to closing the gap between the genders, or a student body full of people interested in doing the same.Finally, the defensive reaction is disappointing because it ignores the fact that the article actually highlighted many positive actions taken by HBS. Beyond the student anecdotes, the article largely celebrates the success of the administration's efforts to create a more inclusive, supportive environment for people like me. Poll most students at top business schools – or, really, any top graduate program – and I doubt most of them would say that they have an administration (and, in particular, a male dean) so dedicated to closing the gap between the genders, or a student body full of people interested in doing the same.
When it comes to measurable factors – like grades and academic honors, or course ratings for female professors – the New York Times reports, for the world to see, that these efforts have already paid off in a big way. The article might well prompt business school faculties and student bodies across the world to see what has been accomplished at HBS and start similar efforts of their own. Isn't that exactly what HBS prides itself on: being a leader and a trendsetter?When it comes to measurable factors – like grades and academic honors, or course ratings for female professors – the New York Times reports, for the world to see, that these efforts have already paid off in a big way. The article might well prompt business school faculties and student bodies across the world to see what has been accomplished at HBS and start similar efforts of their own. Isn't that exactly what HBS prides itself on: being a leader and a trendsetter?
At the same time, it's worth noting that it's unfair for students to hold the faculty and administration responsible for their not feeling comfortable on campus and then criticize their attempts to make it more comfortable. The Times reports, for example, that upon hearing that students wanted to wear Halloween costumes to class, the professor in charge of the first-year curriculum decided to ban them, fearing a deluge of women showing up dressed as "sexy pirates". Students, including the female student body president, likened the move to creating "school uniforms". I can't help but think that had the professor, Frances Frei, not banned the costumes, we might well be reading in the Times about how campus culture objectified women by pressuring them to show up to class scantily clad.At the same time, it's worth noting that it's unfair for students to hold the faculty and administration responsible for their not feeling comfortable on campus and then criticize their attempts to make it more comfortable. The Times reports, for example, that upon hearing that students wanted to wear Halloween costumes to class, the professor in charge of the first-year curriculum decided to ban them, fearing a deluge of women showing up dressed as "sexy pirates". Students, including the female student body president, likened the move to creating "school uniforms". I can't help but think that had the professor, Frances Frei, not banned the costumes, we might well be reading in the Times about how campus culture objectified women by pressuring them to show up to class scantily clad.
Moving forward, I hope that students and alumni start to acknowledge that the article was not a "hatchet job". There were certainly parts we all found unfair or wrongheaded, but criticism can be invigorating, just as praise can be dangerously relaxing. I have no doubt that HBS and other graduate schools can use the debate generated by the article to correct the aspects of its culture that have made some students – whether 50% or 1% – feel marginalized. And if that happens, maybe we will get closer to the day when all 900 graduates can truly say that they felt comfortable and included during their time at HBS.Moving forward, I hope that students and alumni start to acknowledge that the article was not a "hatchet job". There were certainly parts we all found unfair or wrongheaded, but criticism can be invigorating, just as praise can be dangerously relaxing. I have no doubt that HBS and other graduate schools can use the debate generated by the article to correct the aspects of its culture that have made some students – whether 50% or 1% – feel marginalized. And if that happens, maybe we will get closer to the day when all 900 graduates can truly say that they felt comfortable and included during their time at HBS.
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