Letter to Senator Elizabeth Warren: November 21, 2014 Dear Senator Warren, As you are a champion for the people – as was your predecessor Ted Kennedy – I know you will be concerned about the way that a decision has been made and is being delivered at Massachusetts’ premier MBA program for women, Simmons College School of Management (SOM). The Associate Dean of the SOM, Mary Dutkiewicz, is being let go in a manner that is not fitting for a school whose mission is “Educating Women for Power and Principled Leadership.” One of her staff committed an indiscretion and Mary was found not negligent. Nevertheless, three months later, she is being asked to leave. This is effective Monday, November 24th. Mary Dutkiewicz, an SOM alum herself and a 17-year employee, is a tremendous asset for Simmons School of Management. Without her, many women would have been unable to complete the program, due to the travails that beset women – family health and other conflicting agendas, issues surrounding self-esteem, and decisions in career path. She has been implemental at the grassroots level in the success of hundreds of women during the program and post-graduation. The school administration’s timing is poor because it is three weeks before the end of the semester. Our academic workloads are high and yet, we feel pulled to address this situation to prevent our beloved Associate Dean from leaving. Since we are women, we care deeply for our school and our leader, and as MBA students, we are executing all our skills in trying to reverse this flagrantly unethical decision. We ask that you read our petition, bit.ly/DeanMaryD , and speak with SOM Dean Cathy Minehan: [email protected] , President of Simmons College, Helen G. Drinan: [email protected] , and Provost and Senior Vice President of Simmons College: [email protected] , as well as, and the Board of Trustees simmons.edu/overview/about/leadership/trustees/ about this situation and the consequence currently on women students, as well as for the future of Simmons College, the SOM, and the ripple effect on women’s colleges in Massachusetts. Respectfully yours, Fern Remedi-Brown, M.Ed., MBA candidate 2014
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 18:02:02 +0000