Subjects of an offensive list

DEAR AMY >> Iam part of an international MBA program at a wellknown European university.

I just found out that the men in the program have put together a list, ranking all the women in the program by their looks. I’m furious and disappointed that the men who are supposed to be my peers, business partners, coworkers and friends have subjected the women in the program to this.

I have been told who started the list, and it has been talked about by a few people, but I haven’t personally seen this list (I’m working on it).

I’m not really sure what to do. I’m thinking about writing a letter to the faculty. Others have suggested asking for the expulsion of the men who have contributed to the list, and to suggest that perhaps if they have time to come up with these rankings, maybe they are not taking this MBA program seriously.

I feel as though this list is a slap in the face after everything that women have been going through, and I really don’t want this sort of treatment or behavior to be normalized ever again.

But I don’t really know what to do or how to go about it. — Disgusted

DEAR DISGUSTED >> You have every right to be angry. (And ... isn’t this how Facebook got started — as a juvenile “hot or not” ranking of on-campus women at a prestigious university?)

The #MeToo movement is demonstrating that normalizing harassment creates toxic environments and havens for predatory behavior (which this list absolutely is).

This needs to stop. Do not count on the university faculty or administration to handle it to your satisfaction.

Think of this challenge a bit like going into battle: you need to arm yourself with knowledge, and begin building an army. Connect with your fellow female candidates. Deploy some MBA-level networking to quickly form a coalition.

If you can obtain hard evidence that this list exists, you should publicize it, share it widely and use the list itself to expose the people behind it. When you do so, mask the identity of the women named, but display the identities of those who created and shared it.

If you aren’t able to receive hard proof of the list, make an appointment with a faculty member and the dean. Insist that they investigate your allegation. Also consider sending an “open letter” to the university community.

Most importantly, save (and screenshot) everything; the list itself, any communication regarding the list or any references to it on social media.

Don’t get discouraged: Speak up, be fearless and don’t let anyone convince you that this isn’t a big deal. This is a very big deal, and it should be taken seriously.