Hardly seems fair to hide behind a university and blame it for this problem. Her article makes plenty of sense. [45] This was the school's first 15s rugby National Championship title. I was in grad school at Yale during the first part of my deconversion. Easier said than done, of course. False accusations may be relatively rare, but they are still real. I would like to know so that I can have a fair understanding of the situation. Way to play Blame the Victim! He kept saying, Hit me. He kept grabbing my hand and trying to make me slap him, Smith said. Not a rapist. Does no one else see the greater responsibility as a compliment from our Creator? The statute of limitations for rape in the state of VA is 20 years (unless I am mistaken). The reporting alleges/implies that young women arent safe at Christendom, that the university has an ongoing culture of assault and harassment toward women which is accepted by the community, and that the University doesnt help women who have been raped. And what possible jurisdiction would the college have for activity that did not take place on its property? Seriously. It has sent the implicit message to women at Christendom that the such attacks within the Christendom family will be tolerated, that the attacker will receive no punishment, that women who are attacked will have to endure the fear of retaliation, both on a physical level, and on the level of damage to their reputations.. And all the fancy words you use cant hide that. Theresa, I agree the Admin still needs to prove it is committed and i think the spotlight being held on them by this article will be helpful. The semester also includes a week's pilgrimage to Assisi and Siena as well as a trip to Florence. You are right, men do absolutely do have that ability to control themselves. Lets embrace it. It isnt nebulous. While I am not a Christendom graduate, I know many graduates. Money should not stand in the way of your dreams, Those looking at Catholic colleges frequentlyask: How can I afford this education? Whenit comes to Christendom College, the realquestion families should be asking is: Howcan I afford not to attend Christendom?. Karen, It would do a great deal more to restore faith in their school if they would be open about the affair. I would go down the road to the convenience store, and hed be sitting outside, and I couldnt walk in. This is a good thing. Her GPA slipped to 1.2. And also, there were a number of bad experiences in grad school that shouldn't be neglected. Today a new wave of aggressive secularism is attempting to sweep away the roots and reasons for your faith. Beyond that, it is about how Christendom failed this student and failed others students, and in so doing, failed their Catholic mission. Christendom College. Honestly, that is all I hear for the first half of the article. There was one guy who was self-insulated to the point where he was delusionally hostile toward everything "worldly". It doesnt make sense to me. Then on November 24, 2009, you sat next to her on a bench and made unwanted contact with her by placing your hand on her knee. The town has over 14,000 people, so the college isnt a large part of it. I have lived in Front Royal for more than 15 years. Students from over 45 states and 7 foreign countries are attracted to the Colleges Catholic family atmosphere and its dedication to the restoration of a truly Catholic culture. If Front Royal is a tiny rural town, as these articles say, then a college, even a small one, is a large part of that town. Asking questions are really good thing if you Consent is only nebulous when you refuse to take responsibility for yourself. And, as I said, they were more balanced than the others. Its not that a policy would prevent the problem but rather that it would provide grounds for discipline within the schools jurisdiction. Im only speaking from experience to illustrate what I see as a very nebulous scenario for both parties. They have pointed to several problem areas that are not yet fixed. If you presume that because Catholic teaching is against rape, that must mean that theyre able to appropriately address rape allegations, I think the fault is in your expectation and the reality of the situation, but not the school itself. This is bad reasoning and I dont see it as incumbent on the school to drop its strict standards on sexual morality, in order appease people who think it might help with the problem. Students live near the Vatican during the fall and spring, taking classes in St. Peter's Square and traveling across Europe during their time abroad. But I want to illustrate the difficulty in really navigating the issue of consent and assault. For Damien Fisher to accuse his source Mrs. Foeckler of meaning what he wrote and not what she claims she meant is an act of astounding arrogance. Oh ladies, Im so sorry you had to deal with that attitude for any length of time. Hes obviously prideful and arrogant. Forgettable as most commencement addresses are, I remember yours clearly, Scott Smith wrote to ODonnell. The perpetrator denied the charge vigorously, and dr. Marshner was simply trying to help a student in need. However, then the college has to be careful not to be encouraging a back seat car scenario in their recreation rooms. I just dont think they could afford it. Now, 10 years later, she popped on my fb board, so I checkes her up. The accused have rights the right to an assumption of innocence, for one. I appreciate your thoughtful comments. You described an inability or unwillingness to use your words to say, this is hard, but Im saying no! It specifically mentions witnesses. Christendom College offers an amazing Liberal Arts education that is immersed in the Catholic Faith. Andrew, The town and the college have a very interesting relationship. Please refrain from proselytizing to members of this community. A week later, in a letter dated May 23, 2011, President ODonnell responded. Rape is always absolutely horrific and of course a criminal offense. But the stubborn Irish in me determined if I left, he would win. But hes also smart enough to skate around any blame when there isnt any proof. Strolling hand in hand, allowed. A few weeks after I got back home, I had my last drink and Ive been sober since. But I think what this often boils down to is he said vs she said. There are women who lie, even if they are a tiny minority. We have video footage of crimes being committed and the persons pictured are still spoken of in the media and elsewhere as the alleged perpetrators. You did emphasize at length with regards to the first two incidents that they were not done maliciously and you found them to be normal interactions. In 2021, the rugby team won the National Collegiate Rugby Cohen Cup National Championship in Houston, Texas, defeating New Mexico Tech. But honestly what is Smith talking about when she refers to the only cafe in town?? That wasnt their gig. Bear in mind I never heard of anybody calling security if they were at a party in South Bend that got out of handbut I didnt run in very party-like circles. A family member of mine is a graduate and while at Christendom, knew a few students that went to the police about sexual assault. Elaine Gunthorpe - Christendom College February 28, 2023 Dissident LGBT Catholic group praises university as 'model' for promoting agenda. Never mind the mental health agony I endured in thinking I had brought on myself same-sex erotic involvement. Second, I havent seen any evidence in this article or in Christendoms response that the accused was placed before college authorities and questioned regarding the incident. I dont like it, but I do get why they cant sling accusations around. Around 540 undergraduate students are enrolled at the university. Warren Carroll's response to such radicalism was to found a college. Protected: Podcast 42: Jarods Prancing Musical Show! But then into your mind jumps the thought no, I wanted to be married. In the 1990s, Reverend William Saunders became president of the Institute and moved it to its present location in Alexandria, Virginia, in addition to leading it to full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1997, Warren Carroll acknowledged the debt Christendom College owed to L. Brent Bozell Jr. and Triumph magazine in his obituary for Bozell: In 1979, the College acquired its new campus in Front Royal, Virginia, overlooking the Shenandoah River. No matter what your belief now, or if you have no belief at all. But I dont think we can fully judge any of these stories without hearing the other side. I went to a small all-womens college, and we had an excellent campus security force; if you were feeling unsure about walking to your car at night you could call them for an escort. You dont like the sense it makes, you disagree with it, but your disagreement does not make it illogical. : Any other apostate Cdom grads out there, or anyone with a relatable experience of Catholic higher education? Right to present a defense OR NOT. Absolutely, but leaders have to weigh the pros and cons, of which there are many, and seek the greater good. From what I understand, the school has only gotten worse. ), Protected: Podcast #48: Accidentally unnamed, Protected: Podcast #46: Mamas little snakey loves bananofee pie, Protected: Podcast #45: Sharples and cocaine, Protected: Podcast 44: Some degree of martyrdom, One long dad joke: My interview with EOTTs S.C. Naoum. Now the students may be less prepared for rape, rape that happens off campus(like a clean house doesnt prepare a person for germs), due to their sheltered background, but thats not exactly the schools fault. Which means, of course, he may very well have done it again. Accordingly, its students have less recourse when the schools policies drastically fail to adequately protect them against such assaults. Gary Althen, the editor of the campus paper, refused to apologize for running the article, writing an editorial in which he explained that he himself "hated his country, and had learned to hate it at the University of Colorado.". After Adele did slap you, you allegedly said, If you slapped me really hard and it really hurt, I wouldnt want to kiss you. It is further alleged that on other occasions you went out of your way to volunteer with groups of friends that Adele had seduced you. O.o. To you fellow women out there, Im sure you all know the feeling of power that we experience over a man who is attracted to us. I understand the argument that Christendom had their hands tied due to the lack of criminal prosecution. Thank you! It has nothing to do with thinking that drinking is worse than sexual assault. However, I was a student at Christendom and nothing could be further from a boys will be boys culture on campus regarding sexual assault. Founded in 1977 in response to the devastating blow inflicted on Catholic higher education by the cultural revolution which swept across America in the 1960s, Christendoms goal is to provide a truly Catholic education in fidelity to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and thereby to prepare students for their role as lay apostles to restore all things in Christ. Smith says that the administration cracked down on professors hosting off-campus parties, because they involved drinking. Their response was a poor excuse for an apology. Not really much in her comment to provoke a snippy answer anyway. Following allegations that Christendom College mishandled student sexual assault reports, the college's administration has said it is committed to doing better. But by not questioning the accused on the matter of rape (it wasnt mentioned in his disciplinary notice), the college forfeited responsibility altogether. Well said. It is not the victims terrible story that we dont believe, it is just the illogical conclusions that the author jumps to and the careless damage she is causing that are wrong. I still have a lot of tenderness for those guys, deep down, even if my larger experience with the church has made me hostile toward Catholicism generally, and deeply cynical about the priesthood. She returned the car to her friend, went back to her dorm, sat down in the shower fully clothed, and cried. Can we PLEASE stop framing this as something between women and men and acknowledge that assault and coercion also happen between men and between women, as well as from women to men? Few go this far and remain unharmed. Imply that there is a pattern and that the pattern is indicative of the current campus environment. Christendom College does not receive federal funding, and so is not subject to Title IX regulations, which would legally require it to respond to and remedy hostile educational environments. are not understanding anything entirely, except this article provides good understanding yet. And one of the most glaring incidents you chose to report on didnt even occur on campus, it occurred 30 minutes away. I had seen already something was wrong, something had happened, Foeckler said. This is still America. Protected: Pocast #18: Lets just do it and be legends! Her focus and concentration were gone. Dont like it? Throughout the letter, ODonnell refers to the young man by his last name, but refers to Adele Smith by her first name. Episode #60: Who or what is a Malcolm Gladwell? I used to argue with the Dominicans at St. Mary's in New Haven (close to campus). They explained to her that a prosecutor would take her case, but that the chances of going to trial, much less of the young man being prosecuted, were very low. [28] College President Timothy O'Donnell acknowledged victims in an official statement, saying, "We have failed some of our students. If you dont have weed places, does that mean youll get crack places? Protected: Podcast #16: Reporticus Shutupicus! The only other thing I remember is going shooting with a bunch of students, including women in skirts. The unwillingness of boorish cynics like Karen to accept purity and goodness nor to validate the positive experiences of other women says far more about herself than it does about Christendom or the sophomore student whom she was replying to. Kind of makes you wonder why there are any rapes in the many (50?) Im a current female student at Christendom, class of 2020, and I feel safe on campus. How about holding the US Government responsible since theyre the ones that oversee Skyline? Therefore I found you responsible for the violation of Harassment.. I remember at one point breaking into tears talking to someone because I missed the DHS so much. I have been to Front Royal many times and it has LOTS of cafes. The only thing that will stop him is a clear splash of water in the face, a no different that all the others, or getting out of the car and running away. . They should be paying me for the therapy I need, not the other way around. Oct. 12, 202201:21. Thank you for this perspective. The alleged assault did not occur on campus. Im sorry, I would not want to hurt anyone and I certainly cant judge the situation. It is genuinely baffling to methough perhaps it should not bethat so many people read an article about a Catholic university so badly bungling its response to the sexual assault of its students and when they get to the end can ask with a straight face what was your goal in writing this? Or worse, claim that the writing of it was badly motivated or will have deleterious effects that outweigh the good done by shedding light on wrongdoing. I think theres definitely room for improvement in the colleges dealings, but as DCLM already made clear, the school was being asked to provide a parallel court, which is not easy. The fact that every situation is different, makes it a matter of prudential judgment, and this seems completely lost on the author who partially blames the PDA policy, which I find insulting to college students and drastically counter intuitive to challenging the prospects of rape. Kissing allowed. . But it took me a second to realize what was happening. But you arent asking that question seriously. A school can also have clearly defined sexual assault policies on the books, and discuss these policies with their students. He then began approaching and provoking her on campus. Before I went to Christendom I was the head of my diocesan youth council, so to say I was active in my faith was an understatement. Here is another crazy thought. I am very sorry to hear of any sexual assault and it can happen in Front Royal. Thank you for writing that. Most couples are friends of other couples and all hang out together both on campus and off campus. Youve pushed the boundaries so far that the man is no longer in control. Rapists should be tarred and feathered (or worse). Or even if he left Front Royal, this would not guarantee the safety of other women. Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia! That was not how my parents were, but sex assault is unique crime. Its way too small. Never did they go so far as to say the Imago Dei was less in us, either. Calling down secular Title IX laws onto a place like this is stupid and illogical. The passion rises. And St. Peters church (or rather the organ there). Good. 154 Following. The other allegations against him were also by hearsay, and they put those allegations in writing and asked him to defend himself. Rob, earlier in the comments, gave wonderful suggestions as to what the school could do, and what he would expect them to do(that they did not), but its still worth noting that the article itself mentions things the school DID do to try to protect the students. They have a right to speak about the crimes committed against them. How unromantic! There was nothing to stop this from happening again, Smith said. An article about how a college should have handled a horrible rape situation better should not be couched in the fact that the college has separate dorms. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. People are fallible and improvements can always be made but Im sorry, how would anyone miss that rape falls into the category of mortal sin .and yes Moral Theology is covered freshman year. However, Im not sure the reporting here accurately reflects of the issues at Christendom, and it certainly doesnt lay out anything that can be done to improve conditions for future students, as the few things suggested have already been implemented. She was not treated properly from a Catholic perspective nor from an institutional perspective. Clearly, both the young man and the young woman had people on their side who believed one person over the other in this he-said-she-said situation. That sounds like quite the emotional roller coaster. This article smacks of a smear job, and there are so many lies and misrepresentations in this article, I dont even know where to begin. When you have an educational institution; especially a residential one that does not have an explicit sexual assault policy on the books in 2010, its absolutely reasonable to criticize the institution and its actions. President Gross inaccuracies in the story include quoting someone as saying men and women arent allowed to even sit next to each other. After I finally rejected the Faith, I was intellectually under-equipped to handle the outside world; I've honestly learned more about the actual world (as opposed to the imaginary Catholic one) by browsing Reddit and the rest of the internet than I ever learned in my four years at Christendom. Shes taken a lot of crap from that quarter and it would be a misuse of her great gift of writing to use it as payback. You have just illustrated the way of thinking that is a big problem: women being taught that they are responsible for mens actions. I've got. The article linked directly to the current handbook.. First, Christendom College could have made their own report to the police. A change.org petition in support of O'Donnell was signed by over 1,000 people. All the people who are asking if Christendom girls could really be that naive, yes! From day one, the men of this campus are filled with a joy in being a gentleman to every girl. Take a second to support simchajfisher on Patreon! But their response was not a legal cease and desist, or demand of retraction. All PDA-rule-free. If she simply made an error in judgment and regretted the decision, she would be stating she had sex and lost her virginity before she planned to. Religious Affiliation:Roman CatholicYear Founded:1977Degrees:Associate of Arts (A.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A. I wonder what people do with degrees from schools like Christendom. But in that year, 2012, a year after she reported her rape, the school still had not added a policy against sexual assault to their student handbook. Racism among white Christians is higher than among the nonreligious. I've got one that's somewhat similar. It is sad, and I think a lot of us wayward ones may have a hard time reconciling the fond memories with our current disdain for the Church. Maybe that needs to be spoken about more openly among students. LOL do you really think students who put a mattress on the cement floor of a basement were looking for romance?! In 2015, Christendom was left off of President Barack Obama's College Scorecard, which was created to help high school graduates pick schools. And no-one can really know the statistics. In essence, the earliest vision of Christendom was a vision of a Christian theocracy, a government founded upon and upholding Christian values, whose institutions are spread through and over with Christian doctrine. This gives women more of an opportunity to share a concern or incident with a staff member they trust. She has nightmares about the incident. I have no doubt that this faith will do the same for each of you if you let it, and perhaps even if you dont. She remembers standing outside the car, smoking a cigarette and shaking, and her boyfriend saying he didnt know why she was making such a big deal out of it. There was nothing to stop this from happening again, Smith said. She will do all she can to honor your requests and make your experience with Christendom College a pleasant and memorable one. Christendom College is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Could more evidence have been gathered? Protected: Episode 64: Sing with me, pooperellas! Same sex dorms is considered strict segregation? Why not with the rape?
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