20170203 DOL Benson Interview
Employee Name: Meghan Benson
Date: February 3, 2017
Race: White
Gender: Female
Veteran Status: None
Current Job Title: Chaplain of the Divinity School at Duke University
Starting Date in this Position: July 2015
Previous Position(s) with Duke University? Director of Worship at Duke University Chapel.
Starting Date(s) in Previous Position(s): I started July of 2006.
Starting Date with Duke University: I started in 1996 as a student.
Other Prior Experience: I worked as an executive assistant / administrative Support for three years from 2003 to 2006.
Education: I have a Master Degree in Divinity, from Duke Divinity School
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Is the current position you stated the same job and title that you had during January 1, 2015 – August 31, 2016? Yes, I am the Chaplain at the Divinity School
Yes
If not, what was your job title?
NA
What are your current job duties as it relates to hiring TA employees?
None, I was a TA myself, but I do not hire TAs.
What were your duties during January 1, 2015 to August 2016?
My duties entail three roles.
I oversee pastoral care
I oversee worship services at Divinity School three times a week
I oversee the spiritual formation for students for 2nd and 3rd years.
Provide a brief description of the various tasks and responsibilities that you currently perform including how many employees are currently supervised by you. (If available, provide a written job description).
I perform the same duties described above in #4. Sonia is my assistant and I oversee the spiritual formation students (16-17 students). These are local clergy who work for us on a part time basis. We have at least one veteran that I am aware of.
Who supervises you?
My boss is Ronda Parker; she is the Senior Director over student ministry and mistral formation
What are the written policies or guidelines that bear on your role in hiring decisions? (Obtain a copy)
I know that they are on the Duke website and with the department of OIE
II. HIRING:
Do you know the complainant (Logan Martin Isaac)? When did you know him?
I knew Mr. Isaac, may be when he was a student.
How long have you known him?
I am not internally sure, possibly when he was a divinity student. I knew him as I worked at the chapel; I have known him for some time as a student at Duke. May be I knew him since 2010.
What is your employment relationship with the complainant?
I have never hired him. I supervised the person responsible for hiring chapel attendants and [redacted] hired him. These are part time student/ work employees. [redacted (7)(C)]
On February 29, 2016, the Complainant, Logan Martin Isaac, brought his concerns about how veterans are treated at Duke University to the interim Dean, Ellen Davis. What do you know about this event?
Not until very recent. I learned about it by having knowledge of this interview. The council said this is counsel/client information.
Why did you refuse to include Mr. Isaac in the 2016 Veteran day preaching?
I had no idea that Logan wanted to preach 2016 Veterans' day. The event was prayer service in which, the current Duke Divinity veterans helped on that day. It was a prayer service that day which was a reflection on who is your neighbor. [Redacted (7)(C)] and [redacted (7)(C)] were some of their people who spoke on the topic of veterans title "who is your neighbor."
[Redacted (7)(C)] was invited to speak; it is rare for us to have any one but current students to speak. We had Matt who is a veteran to speak on that day.
Did you invite [redacted (7)(C)] to preach at the 2016 Veteran Day instead of Mr. Isaac? Why? Is [redacted (7)(C)] a veteran?
I do know that [redacted (7)(C)] is not a veteran. However, he was a speaker, not a preacher at the 2016 Veteran's day.
Have you received any email from Mr. Isaac in 2013, 2014 or 2015? What issues were narrated in these emails?
I have no idea what he is talking about but if he can produce the email it might be helpful.
The Complainant alleges that he was retaliated against because of his veteran status and filed an informal complaint. Then, he was reinstated as a TA. He also stated that he is suffering from mental anguish resulting from his employment with Duke University. Are you aware of these allegations? Please explain.
I am not except from what I have learned as a result of this interview; meaning our request to interview her.
Did the complainant's veteran status play a role in the decision of not being selected during the first round of TA selection after Spring Semester of 2016? Please explain.
NA
The Complainant also alleges retaliation for asking questions concerning veterans because he was subsequently not invited back as a TA after Spring Semester of 2016. What is your response to this allegation?
NA
Did the complainant's questioning about veteran status concern play a role in the decision of not being invited him back as a TA after Spring Semester of 2016? Please explain.
NA
Do you know who makes the final decision on TA selection or rejection? If yes provide the name/names
I think that Jeff Conklin-Miller, Associate Dean makes that decision
Can employees appeal rejection decision? If yes please explain.
I would assume that they can.
III. EEO/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:
How would you describe the workplace culture with respect to diversity and inclusion for veterans at Duke University?
I think of it as being a wonderful place for veterans to work, I do not perceive any animosity.
Do you know if Duke University has an EEO Policy?
I'm sure.
Are supervisors held accountable for adhering to this policy? Explain how?
I would think so, I think that there are a lot of written policies, but I do not know the specifics. I know that people are notified.
Describe how Duke University shares this policy with its employees, applicants and managers.
On the intra-net website communications and forms that are kept on the website.
How does the University policy ensure that employees are not harassed because of their veteran status? How and when is the policy communicated to employees and managers?
People can go to the OIE, if they feel that they have been wronged.
Describe how Duke University shares this policy with unions, subcontractors, the public, and community groups.
I am not part of a union; therefore I do not know that.
When and what type of training did you receive regarding the University's EEO and/or harassment policy and any other of its Affirmative Action Program and EEO obligations?
Over the years that I have been at Duke I would say yes. I know we do not discriminate in our hiring practices.
Did the materials or training cover veteran status discrimination?
I think so
Who provided the materials?
I would guess the OIE and HR department would.
Who attended? Did you verify attendance?
Everybody
Was the training required?
Yes
Has Duke University ever used an equal employment opportunity or non-discrimination statement in any of its materials (e.g. employment manual)? If so, do the materials cover veteran status discrimination?
I'm sure they do.
Does Duke University have an internal complaint process for discrimination, harassment and retaliation issues raised by employees? If so, does that process cover veteran status discrimination issues?
Yes.
IV. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE:
When did you become aware of the complainant's veteran status? Please provide date.
Right after I met Logan. He is very open about it, however I do not remember the exact time and date.
Did you ask complainant about his veteran status? When? How? Where? How did you react? Explain.
See response above (#31)
Do you know of other employees at Duke University who are veterans? If yes, have they ever mentioned discrimination or negative treatment? Please be specific.
Yes. Matt Floding, the Director of Student Ministry is a veteran. He has mentioned to me that he is in the National guard reserve. I have not heard any mention of discrimination or negative treatment.
How do you know about their veteran status?
Mentioned by the individual
How do you know about their treatment? (e.g., personal observations, email, gossip, etc.)
I have not heard anything related to their treatments.
Do you know of any veteran managers or supervisor at Duke University? If yes, have they ever mentioned discrimination or negative treatment? Please be specific.
Matt is a supervisor. See #33 above
How do you know about their veteran status?
I think I heard Matt state that he had been in the U.S. National Guard.
How do you know about their treatment? (e.g., personal observations, email, gossip, etc.)
I have not heard anything related to their treatments
Is there anything else you would like to add at this time?
I have nothing to add.
The information I have provided above is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and recollection.
Interviewee: [Signature]
Date: 2/3/2017
Compliance Officer: [Signature redacted (6), (7)(C)]
Date:
