The following message is from President Rick Hurley:
I wanted to take this opportunity to explain what took place on campus the morning of Thursday, May 7. You may have seen news coverage about the event. Yesterday, we received a media advisory about a press conference being held on the steps of GW Hall. The conference, organized by the Feminist Majority Foundation, was to announce the filing by members of Feminists United and other students of a Title IX sex discrimination complaint against the University. While we disagree with many of the details and content in this morning’s press conference, we do share the ultimate goal of maintaining a safe environment for the entire campus community.
Let me make this clear: This University takes any allegation of gender-based violence very seriously. And, as some of you are aware, the administration has been actively engaged throughout the academic year with members of Feminists United and other students to address issues of safety and campus culture. Creating a safe learning and living environment is our first and foremost concern and I am pleased with the outpouring of students’ support shown today about how safe they feel on campus.
The University will cooperate fully with the Office of Civil Rights regarding the concerns put forward in the Title IX complaint announced today.