Family News

Berklee’s Equity and Title IX Team is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. Here is an update on how the team has supported the students this academic year so far and a glimpse at our upcoming programming:

Summer 2025 Training

This summer, the Equity Team led a wide range of training programs to strengthen our commitment to equality, prevention, and compliance across the Berklee community. New faculty and staff participated in onboarding sessions with the Equity Team and learned about our policies, including the Responsible Employee Policy, and resources on campus for students, faculty, and staff. Faculty members who engaged with our five-week ASPIRE program students participated in a refresher training with our office on our policies, processes, and resources. 

All incoming undergraduate and graduate students on all Berklee campuses completed training on Equity and Title IX policies, the Responsible Employee Policy, bystander intervention, consent, and healthy relationships. In addition, our resident assistants and housing staff received specialized training to better support students in their residential communities for the 2025–2026 school year. 

The Equity Team remains dedicated to expanding prevention initiatives and continues training student employee groups and faculty departments in the fall 2025 semester. 

September: Consent Month Highlights

This year, the Equity Team introduced our first Consent Month. Throughout September, the Equity Team hosted a series of events and programs to spread awareness about consent across campus, including: 

  • Welcome Back Tabling: The Equity Team hosted a tabling event with cookies and lemonade to raise awareness about our office and resources, and connect with students.
  • CDEI Open House (with the Diversity and Inclusion Team): The CDEI hosted an open house for students, faculty, and staff to come meet our offices and learn more about our role at Berklee and upcoming events. 
  • Caffeine Break: This informal gathering is hosted by Student Life. The Equity Team met with students while they took a break and fueled up on caffeine. During this event, the Equity Team shared information about consent. 
  • Signals of Consent—Grab-and-Go Snacks: The Equity Team had grab-and-go snacks available to students, along with educational materials about the dos and don’ts of consent. 

In addition to these efforts, the Equity Team posted information on The Berklee Hub and Instagram @berkleeequity regarding educational content for consent.

October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a vital time to shed light on the serious issue of domestic violence and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV) and to support those affected by it. The Equity Team raises awareness about this issue during the month of October through a series of events and encourages members of the community to pick up a purple ribbon from the Equity office and wear it throughout the month. The Equity Team also recognizes the unique risks around the Halloween holiday and will be providing resources to help students remain safer during their holiday parties. Events include: 

  • Purple Thursday with Berklee’s Survivor Advocacy Services: The Equity Team has a special tabling event scheduled for October 23, 2025, with Berklee’s survivor advocate to spread awareness of DV/IPV and share resources with students. 
  • DVAM Resource Fair: Berklee’s survivor advocate is holding a resource fair on October 27, 2025, for students to learn about resources on campus and in the Boston community. 
  • Caffeine Break: During this event, the Equity Team will share tips and tricks for students to remain safer at their upcoming holiday parties.  
  • Safer Partying Practices—Grab-and-Go Snacks: The Equity Team will have grab-and-go snacks available to students, along with educational materials about safer partying practices, and will speak with students if they have any concerns. 

Together, these initiatives foster dialogue, raise awareness, and support our commitment to a safe and caring community. 

If you or someone you know has experienced domestic violence or intimate partner violence, the Equity Team is here to assist with support and reporting options. Please contact the Equity team at equity@berklee.edu or find community resources and support. 

Required Online Courses

All incoming students were required to complete their online courses by October 1, 2025. If you have not yet completed it, a restriction has been placed on your account that prevents you from registering for next semester. To have the restriction removed, you must complete the course and then email the Equity Team at equity@berklee.edu to confirm completion.