In the last few days, the university has been scrutinized by local media in a series of critical articles. Among other things, these have covered the university's actions when individual employees have mismanaged financial issues or been reported for sexual harassment. These are complicated cases that stir up strong emotions and reopen old wounds, particularly among those exposed to such actions or harassments, and this is something I and the entire University Management are truly sorry about.
We understand that many of those who have read the articles are upset and ask themselves how such events can take place at our workplace. The image portrayed in the articles is grim, and far from how we want things.
Hans Adolfsson, Vice-Chancellor, Umeå University
Photo: Mattias Pettersson
The media scrutinizing the university's routines in various fields is a good thing. This is their role and it often results in improvements in our internal work processes. The university's explicit goal is that such events or behaviours must not take place, but I am aware that it still can happen. How the media choose to talk about occurred events is up to each and every one to build their own opinion about. As a Vice-Chancellor and head of this institution, I cannot comment on individual cases, and hence it can be difficult to explain certain chains of events or answer certain allegations.
It is important to emphasise that the series of articles in the local media all cover a few cases at a workplace with thousands of students and staff where most have good collaborations and behave well between one another. Only a few individuals misbehave. We must not forget that fact.
It stands to reason that we must become better at talking more and openly about work environment issues and our common basic values. We need to be better at handling undesired events that occur in our organisation. We must focus energy on working proactively, and communicate what routines are in place and what measures have been taken.
As a member of staff or student, you must know what happens if you raise an issue or call attention to an undesirable behaviour at your workplace. You also need to know how these cases are being processed, and what laws and regulations the university must follow. We have routines and information in place, but we see the need to improve and make these more explicit. This work will be prioritised.
For those of you who are managers at Umeå University, I'd like to remind you of the importance of continuously and actively working with work environment issues at your department, office or equivalent. You are responsible for the work environment and for your staff. My job is to ensure that you have the support and prerequisites you need to take this responsibility. By daring to question behaviours that cross the line, we take active steps towards a better work environment.