Dear Father Jenkins,
Under the auspice of Our Lady, the members of the Notre Dame family are called to live in solidarity with those on the margins and ensure a safe and inclusive community, free from physical, emotional, and psychological harm for all. For too long, sexual violence has injured the students, faculty, staff, and alumni in our Notre Dame family. We call upon the University to take a strong stand against sexual violence in light of recent changes to the Department of Education’s guidelines and the University’s housing policy. We ask that our University publicly state its intent to address the following four items: (1) commit to use the preponderance of the evidence standard in cases of sexual misconduct, regardless of changing federal guidelines; (2) uphold a 60-day timeline of addressing Title IX cases; (3) clarify new alternative resolutions policy and disallow mediation in cases of sexual misconduct, in accordance with previous federal guidelines; and (4) create and publicize waivers from the six-semester housing requirement for survivors of sexual misconduct, violence, or any other form of discrimination.
Sexual violence is not a partisan issue. Our University must recommit to its Christian values of human dignity and solidarity by supporting one of the most marginalized groups on our campus. The recent and impending changes to Title IX, launched by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, are deeply concerning and hold significant implications for cases of sexual misconduct on college campuses nationally. Title IX guidance allows students to know their rights and hold their universities accountable. By releasing a statement on standard of evidence, case timeline, alternative resolutions, and housing waivers, Notre Dame would recommit itself to the pledge that “It’s On Us” to stop sexual misconduct.
As you said in your homily marking the 175th Anniversary of this incredible place, “Either we are all Notre Dame, or none of us are.” Please ensure that we are all truly Notre Dame by protecting every vulnerable member of our community. Notre Dame can and must do better.
In Notre Dame,
Under the auspice of Our Lady, the members of the Notre Dame family are called to live in solidarity with those on the margins and ensure a safe and inclusive community, free from physical, emotional, and psychological harm for all. For too long, sexual violence has injured the students, faculty, staff, and alumni in our Notre Dame family. We call upon the University to take a strong stand against sexual violence in light of recent changes to the Department of Education’s guidelines and the University’s housing policy. We ask that our University publicly state its intent to address the following four items: (1) commit to use the preponderance of the evidence standard in cases of sexual misconduct, regardless of changing federal guidelines; (2) uphold a 60-day timeline of addressing Title IX cases; (3) clarify new alternative resolutions policy and disallow mediation in cases of sexual misconduct, in accordance with previous federal guidelines; and (4) create and publicize waivers from the six-semester housing requirement for survivors of sexual misconduct, violence, or any other form of discrimination.
Sexual violence is not a partisan issue. Our University must recommit to its Christian values of human dignity and solidarity by supporting one of the most marginalized groups on our campus. The recent and impending changes to Title IX, launched by Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, are deeply concerning and hold significant implications for cases of sexual misconduct on college campuses nationally. Title IX guidance allows students to know their rights and hold their universities accountable. By releasing a statement on standard of evidence, case timeline, alternative resolutions, and housing waivers, Notre Dame would recommit itself to the pledge that “It’s On Us” to stop sexual misconduct.
As you said in your homily marking the 175th Anniversary of this incredible place, “Either we are all Notre Dame, or none of us are.” Please ensure that we are all truly Notre Dame by protecting every vulnerable member of our community. Notre Dame can and must do better.
In Notre Dame,