An account from C.T., an undergraduate student (senior) at Wayne State

Professor Watten has released sensitive writings of mine without permission, circulated them in class, and bullied me into answering questions/reading such work without consent. He has belittled me during these times of vulnerability, and lessened my lived experiences, telling me how I should have handled myself in those moments within my stories, while simultaneously telling … Continue reading An account from C.T., an undergraduate student (senior) at Wayne State →

An account from a poetry scholar

Watten's reputation—as a toxic, bullying, narcissistic abuser (especially, but not only, of those less powerful than himself)—has been an open secret in the community of poets and poetry scholars for a very long time.
[Click heading to read more]

An account from Molli Spalter, current Wayne State PhD student

I want to reiterate that because of these interactions with Barrett, particularly when he approached me outside State Hall, I am afraid to be alone on the 9th floor, worried that I may encounter him and be subjected to physical and emotional intimidation and abuse. I take the stairs from the 10th floor to the 8th floor before getting on the elevator so I will not be stuck in an elevator with him. Of note, I am not alone in these behaviors. Other female graduate students avoid being around Barrett at all costs. Recently, Barrett showed up at a WEGO Final Friday event and female graduate students left because they were uncomfortable sharing a social space with him.
[Click heading to read more]

Account from Isaac Pickell, current Wayne State PhD student

Molli Spalte and I have both filed official complaints detailing Barrett Watten’s years-long method of abuse, including harassment, bullying, intimidation, and trying to sow distrust and animus into our relationship. While I am not yet comfortable detailing this publicly, know that we are being targeted by a serial abuser for sharing the open secret of his abusive behavior. Barrett is using the institution’s deference to authority against us; the only strength we have is in numbers.
[Click heading to read more]