In the Wake of UVA: Re-examining Randolph’s Policies

Written By: Evan Robert Smith ‘17

Published February 2015

It is a new semester for us here at Randolph, which means a fresh start behind the Red Brick Wall.  No school, though, needs a fresh start quite like our central Virginia neighbors at the University of Virginia.  Last fall’s Rolling Stone article “A Rape on Campus,” about a female student’s gang rape at an UVA frat party, made headline news across the country.  Just two days after the article’s publication, UVA’s president suspended all Greek activities for the rest of the fall semester.  Though Rolling Stone retracted the article due to questionable journalism, UVA is still dealing with the aftermath of the accusations made since the article still exposes much of the potential dangers for sexual assault and rape in UVA’s Greek life.

Randolph College senior Philosophy major Christina Crouch attended UVA in the fall of 2012, when the alleged gang rape occurred, but she transferred to Randolph in the fall of 2013.  When the Rolling Stone article was published, Christina saw on Facebook that some of her UVA friends were victim blaming and defending UVA.  The article and people’s reactions to it has since prompted her to write on sexual assault and victim blaming for her spring senior paper. 

Thankfully, UVA has tried to improve fraternities through a new Fraternal Organization Agreement Addendum.  Effective this semester the addendum now requires at least three sober fraternity members to be at any event with one sober member located anywhere alcohol is distributed and at any staircase that leads to bedrooms.  In addition, punch and other pre-mixed drinks are now strictly prohibited. 

While Randolph has no Greek life, since we do not have any officially recognized fraternities or sororities, the College still has restrictions when it comes to functions that include alcohol.

Macon Community After Hour’s, a Randolph club that organizes monthly gatherings that serve alcoholic beverages to students, faculty, and staff, follows similar alcohol restrictions. 

President Sarah Terlizzi says that shots are never served during events “because it takes away from the goal of Macon Community After Hours.  It is a club that promotes the building of community between faculty, staff, and students in a welcoming environment.” 

In addition Macon Community After Hour’s has rules in place to ensure safe and legal drinking.  Anyone under 21 has an “X” placed on their hands, mixed drinks are served with more mixer than alcohol, bartenders must be TIPS certified, and the event must be located in an enclosed area.

Though Randolph institutionally handles alcohol well in some areas, we still have had our own problems with alcohol and, even worse, sexual assault.  The largest controversy pertaining to sexual assault occurred in the spring of 2014 when an anonymous blog claimed that Randolph had under-reported sexual assaults.  In response President Bateman convened a sexual assault assembly for students to discuss the matter.  Then this past fall yet another controversial anonymous blog was created that wished to open a dialogue about feminism and sexual assaults on campus.  So sexual assault has been just as much a problem here as it has been anywhere else, but thankfully some things are being done to ensure a safer environment for all.

Dr. Sara Hirst, who is Assistant Director of the Counseling Center and Coordinator of Sexual Misconduct Education and Advocacy, believes that Randolph is, “dedicated to raising awareness, educating the community, supporting survivors, implementing our grievance procedures, and creating a healthier and safer environment for everyone.” The evidence certainly backs that statement up.

Since the spring of 2014 all of the sexual misconduct policies have been reformed, the Sexual Misconduct Education and Advocacy position was created (now Dr. Hirst), a sexual misconduct website was created (www.randolphcollege.edu/sexualmisconduct), a Clery Compliance Committee was formed, and a Harassment Policy and Advisory Committee was formed.  In addition, all new enrollees at Randolph must complete an online program called “Think About It,” which deals with sexual violence, relationships, and alcohol.  This year’s first year class also received programing from Dr. Hirst specifically on sexual misconduct, consent, Randolph’s grievance procedures, support resources/reporting options, and bystander intervention.

Thankfully there have been increased initiatives to address sexual assault. Nonetheless, these administration led initiatives are only the beginning. Furthermore, Dr. Hirst believes that “students play a tremendously important role in shaping the campus culture and atmosphere around sexual violence.”

While any college administration plays a huge role in sexual assault on campus, students must strive themselves to create the community that they wish to inhabit.  In order for UVA, Randolph College, or any other college community, to fruitfully address sexual assault, it must be a joint effort of all parties involved.

If you have experienced sexual assault or know of someone has, consider contacting Dr. Hirst at 434-947-8119 or email her at shirst@randolphcollege.edu.

You could also call the Sexual Assault Response Program’s (SARP) 24 Hour confidential hotline at 888-947-7273.