Mark Fusco - Priest in Residence - Christendom College - LinkedIn Consent is only nebulous when you refuse to take responsibility for yourself. I considered Christendom, but that seemed a bit too much for me at the time. nor were the other women I know who hung out with them. Thanks for sharing your experience. Christendom College is one of the best liberal arts colleges in America. But by not questioning the accused on the matter of rape (it wasnt mentioned in his disciplinary notice), the college forfeited responsibility altogether. No, they simply made the decision not to accuse someone of a violent felony with zero evidence. Rather, it is a guide the way, the truth, and the life.[26], By refusing to accept most forms of federal funding, Christendom College is exempt from many federal guidelines concerning sex-based and other forms of discrimination (e.g., Title IX), investigations into accusations of sexual abuse, and the sharing of information about on-campus crimes. Yes, I can see now how that should be a good rule of thumb. Hit pieces only need to be tangentially accurate to get 1st amendment protections. we have reports that indicate that you have violated the Code of Student Conduct by harassing another student and causing emotional harm. Their response was a poor excuse for an apology. But by not questioning the accused on the matter of rape (it wasnt mentioned in his disciplinary notice), the college forfeited responsibility altogether. His absence helped her reclaim some of her focus. In this period, members of the Christian clergy wield political authority. What I found was the opposite, the longer a person had been at Christendom the less likely they were to show Christian charity, or even a spirit of evangelization. I am with you that Christendom should enumerate the inaccuracies it sees in here, it would go a long way towards communication in this area. Accordingly, its students have less recourse when the schools policies drastically fail to adequately protect them against such assaults. The only other thing I remember is going shooting with a bunch of students, including women in skirts. Have girls refuse to be allowed in cars with boys, since it requires cars to go to Skyline Drive? Im not sure what the point is, later comment by Simcha was that the college should be held accountable..How are they not being held countable? She did go to the police. On Racism and Cancel Culture - Cardinal Newman Society In retrospect, the College may not have served these victims as well as we could have, and for this hurt we are truly sorry for any additional pain that this may have caused. I could go on, but my point is that we MUST see sexual assault as a bigger issue than something that men perpetrate upon women. She was not treated properly from a Catholic perspective nor from an institutional perspective. faculty, staff, etc.). Her point is absolutely credible and relevant. Why not the new policy? Lol there was the one time I said I was suicidal youll go to hell he replied I dont care I responded your psychotic he said. Not a one that I knew. We have to ask ourselves if its okay for innocent men to have lives ruined for the trade off of punishing all the men who deserve it. Or even if he left Front Royal, this would not guarantee the safety of other women. There is no statute of limitations for rape in Virginia (https://www.rainn.org/pdf-files-and-other-documents/Public-Policy/Legal-resources/2009-Statutes/09VirginiaStatutes.pdf). And on the outside, this torture of wanting to stay chaste yet wanting to see that a man loves you and wanting to fully embrace him comes across in very vague and misleading body language. Christendom is very diligent in making sure that it provides a safe campus for the education of our students.. i grew up Novus Ordo and so did all my friends at Christendom. Her article makes plenty of sense. We Dare to be Great. The semester also includes a week's pilgrimage to Assisi and Siena as well as a trip to Florence. And its really sad when a woman is then abused in this way. Few go this far and remain unharmed. What was he going to say? Men should feel degraded by this way of thought. A US NEWS & WORLD REPORT article says it isnt working too well. Several have contended that having a policy would have prevented the problem. Umm okay? Your email address will not be published. Misogyny is woven deep into the schools culture. The young man left Christendom in Smiths senior year. No, it takes opening a word document and writing it up: Dont rape people. If theres a single member on your board who has an issue with that, they shouldnt be on that board, Smith said. But current students and alumni say the school has a boys will be boys attitude which allows the male students to harass and grab at the women. Christendom doesnt have anything like that. Does no one else see the greater responsibility as a compliment from our Creator? Ill be brief, and in no particular order, but: Is it worse to let a rapist remain on campus or expel an innocent student? No means no. Or going to the county if the town is not addressing it? This is a favored tactic of shoddy journalists who want to do a hit piece, and the Fishers followed the recipe quite well. Its not good enough, for some because the school didnt have the authority or the power to adequately punish someone for rape, and I personally have no problem with the rapist receiving a degree, and being forced to stay off campus with a restraining order. And I did end up seeing that friar once for counselling but he activated several gut feelings to stay away, and so I did. But the stubborn Irish in me determined if I left, he would win. If Christendom University has an ongoing serious problem (and it may for all I know), this article doesnt demonstrate that. But honestly what is Smith talking about when she refers to the only cafe in town?? I did experience the misogyny. If he was accused again in the future, the record would help support that accusation. If that happens, hopefully the young lady will have a CRKT S.P.E.W. I have seen no evidence that Christendom reported the accusation. But when someone stated they were raped, you do not tell them oh come on, you gave in to the thrill more than the fear. We ignore it at our peril. The entire passage describing his offense is as follows: Specifically, you admitted: to placing your hand on Adele Smiths knee, attempting to provoke her to slap you and or to kiss you to deal with her frustrations with you, and finally for telling some students around campus that she had seduced you. I felt him, she said. I knew sooner or later someone would bring up the Novus Ordo Mass. 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. I emerged with my virginity intact. In all likelihood it would not have happened on campus because they would not have been alone together. Such a different vibe from my Canadian background. Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan donated 19th Century wooden stations of the cross to the Chapel, and it was dedicated by Cardinal Jan Schotte, Pope John Paul II's Secretary-General to the World Synod of Bishops. Holy crap, anonymous. I understand the VP actually said Title IX prevented them from speaking out. Christendom College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Another student instructed you to leave her alone but you continued. Christendom College will continue to do everything it can to understand how to best respond to these very difficult and tragic situations. President The cultural revolution of the twentieth century continues to take its toll on the world and on Catholic higher education. People might think they are trying to help women, and that is an unacceptable conclusion. [42], In 2017, Christendom's rugby team won the NSCRO 7's Collegiate Rugby National Championship in its first year of contention. Christendom College. Christendom College offers an amazing Liberal Arts education that is immersed in the Catholic Faith. Simcha, Im not quite sure what any of the rape allegations have to do with Christendom College. How law enforcement and colleges respond to sexual harassment and rape allegations is a different matter, and I agree that does need to be addressed. They brought the skills of their craft to shining a light on the dark underbelly of this college. I dont mean to down play the role that a school has in protecting its students and holding perpetrators accountable. Assuming the research you have done here is all reported accurately (which the college disputes), it doesnt exactly make the place a hot-bed of sexual assaults and sexual harassment issues. There is much that reeks of shoddy reporting in these two pieces: basically only one side was presented when the facts were right in front of the Fishers (e.g., through the current student handbook and interviewees). The administration handled a tough situation, that had no evidence supporting the claims of the girl, as best as can be expected. And victims have the right to be taken seriously, to not be dismissed. A policy for handling this should of course be on the books. Hurt by Catholics? I understand that everyone has a different experience at college. ok, but what evidence did the college have that he did? Its handling of the case may not have been malicious, but it was certainly pusillanimous. Next came many months of frustration for the Smith family. I can understand the experience of being surrounded by 'unholy' people and being unable to come to grips with them being Not Catholic Enough, though. Christendom is an excellent college with a delightfully wholesome atmosphere. Was there ever a police report filed? For what its worth, I believe Adeles story, and as someone who has been sexually assaulted (but not raped) and not gone to the authorities, I understand why she didnt at first. There are legal ramifications to asserting guilt and punishment against someone with zero evidence other than heresay. in Theological Studies degrees online. Never did they go so far as to say the Imago Dei was less in us, either. 1) Paint a picture of the college not doing crap to help victims. Your point is that you disagree and you dont like her shining a journalistic light onto this mess. Her parents, brother, and friends encouraged her to transfer. It is an extremely difficult crime to convict someone of, and unfortunately, without proof or conviction, legally not much can be done. A recent blog, which contains misleading information and serious inaccuracies, was posted about Christendom College. The colleges response is a legal response to an alleged crime. Im not saying that the accused should have been expelled. Not quoted or described? This is part of the problem: college kids are not children but adults with agency to make decisions for their life. The other allegations against him were also by hearsay, and they put those allegations in writing and asked him to defend himself. complicated memories of the place. Not really much in her comment to provoke a snippy answer anyway. #3. If a Catholic institution is not doing this better than anywhere, what is their justification? Accused have rights. It seems they pushed for this charge as there was an actual witness, perhaps more, to that specific behavior. The naivete, the cringey talks, and oppressive atmosphere. Obviously they wouldnt escort us if we wanted to, say, walk across the road to Notre Dame, because that was going outside the campus bounds, but there was a nice shuttle bus system running between SMC and Notre Dame. [38], Christendom College has two schools offering graduate and undergraduate degrees. It has been hard to process that and it is hard to look back without having suspicions towards many of even the "well-meaning and reasonable" authorities on campus. It was only people in my freshman class greener than I was who were willing to lend any support. It wouldnt quite be in keeping with her recent essay about letting go of anger. Friday Night Mandatory Lent Film Party, 2023 edition! Everyone knew., Smith complained to the school, and she says they gave Marshner a slap on the wrist.. I can understand completely the reasons behind not having visitors of the opposite sex in the dorms, however the upstairs magazine reading room in the library was also dubbed the Romeo and Juliet room since couples would go there to make out. Your experience is absolutely not inconsequential, in any way, on any level. The entire town is PDA-rule-free. 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. I would go down the road to the convenience store, and hed be sitting outside, and I couldnt walk in. That isnt acceptable, even in secular workplaces, and is a breathtaking accusation. At that point, he does not see the difference between this no and that one. The school determined the young man was responsible for the violation of Harassment.. I dont understand the logic of protecting the identity of the alleged rapist and meanwhile running the names of college faculty through the mud for not somehow preventing a rape that occurred on a mountain and for not expelling a student for a rape that went unreported for a year and a half with no evidence. A change.org petition in support of O'Donnell was signed by over 1,000 people. 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. It has nothing to do with thinking that drinking is worse than sexual assault. This would be a situation in which shed be even less safe as the university would literally have no leverage over him. Mark Fusco - Priest in Residence - Christendom College | Business Dont deny the bad, but try to find the good. Its not completely new to me, since Gasp! Her subsequent behavior is entirely consistent with that of someone who has been traumatized and assaulted. To find out more about Student Achievement at Christendom, click here. There were crazy people, there were priests who dispensed truly awful guidance in spiritual direction. 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. According to records of the minutes taken at two local school board meetings, one of which was held on July 15, 2021 and another on August 5, 2021, multiple public employees at Riverside Unified . So places without rda rules have less rape? [3] Carroll stepped back to focus on teaching history and writing, remaining on the faculty and serving as the chairman of the history department until his retirement in 2002. It would be difficult for Christendom to have a fuller Catholic identity. In April of 2011, Smith decided to tell the police about the rape. Her GPA slipped to 1.2. While I am not a Christendom graduate, I know many graduates. jlhyacintha wrote: A school can also take rape allegations seriously, and remove the accused person from campus. A longtime economics and political science professor at Christendom College in Virginia has been charged with solicitation of a minor under the age of 16 and two counts of . For this reason, I am particularly honored to associate myself with such a fine Catholic institution of higher learning and my prayers are that Christendom College will enjoy many more years of service in the education and formation of young people.[22], Christendom College is also listed as a Recommended College by the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College. Never, under any circumstances, admit that it was a complicated process that involved implementing a parallel judicial system. Her phrasing seems to imply that there was no second year at this secular college. If theyre allowed to kiss in a common area, then if the guy says come up to my room, shes going to say no, because theres nothing she could do in his room that she cant in the common area, except stuff she doesnt want to do. Merely printing something against rape seems redundant, though. In addition, the article didnt clarify that the college has gotten rid of many of the policies and rules that are being blamed in this article for the assaults (e.g., the no-holding hands rule was jettisoned a while ago). It seems to me that thats why they hit him with that. But at the same time, Christendom was a dream in a bubble. Therefore, you are being charged with violating the Code of Student Conduct., A disciplinary conference was scheduled for July 28 of 2011. At that point, any option is deteriorating in safety. [39] Its flexible and accommodating studies allows students of all ages and from all over the world to attend either part-time or full-time, year-round, summers-only, or winters-only, and also to study at a distance through online courses. Gigi, when I dated a man who attended Christendom, we had extended conversations about the philosophy of human nature that led one of the professors to conclude that, among other things, (a) women are ontologically inferior to men and (b) women shouldnt vote. Christendom College, a small, Catholic, liberal arts school in Front Royal Virginia, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. [8], During Fedoryka's seven-year tenure as president, Blessed Margaret and St. Joseph's Halls were constructed, and the college became fully accredited in 1987. Never, though, would I equate that with saying rape is OK. Is that whats happening right now?'. Opposite sex couples PDA was forbidden, while some young women regularly shared dorm beds with their friends. Trad bubble alert! Please think twice next time before you do that. Oh ladies, Im so sorry you had to deal with that attitude for any length of time. christendom college racism Dr. Timothy T. ODonnell Her hatred for Christendom is glaring. She is very careful not to mention the perpetrators name without permission, but this courtesy given to the attacker is not given to any of the teachers and staff at the school. 2023 Christendom College. Question: are the writers christendom 2020 and sophomore girl at Christendom the same girl/ writer? the letters read to indicate the same writer. Then send your kids to a Jesuit school where they get free condoms. We clearly received the impression that Mr. Dorman wasnt going to do anything . racism - Dr. William H. Marshner College disciplinary boards, however, can set whatever standards they want, especially a completely independent institution like Christendom. What is your point really? Actually, if you read what the new sexual assault policy is, it is much more than Smith claims. Bishop Finn of Kansas City was convicted for failing to report suspected child abuse because he HESITATED to report it. She had been diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder after graduating high school, and her anxiety kicked in at this point. Omigosh. Smith and her family were floored. When the schools response is to prevent the rapist from living on campus for a semester, and a professor welcomes him into his home while smearing the student who was raped in class, without serious consequences, its fair to criticize the school. Its not about gender expectations as much as it is about power and CONSENT, period, from anyone to anyone. They therefore leave campus to do that thing. A male Residence Life staff member also lives on campus to assist the men. So you know how safe it felt and looked. I still have very fond memories of my time there and still actively keep in touch with my classmates and friends there, despite living across the country from most of them. Carroll decided not to accept federal funding at the college, choosing instead to rely on generous benefactors. I could leave my laptop lying out anywhere on campus, with no password, and be confident I could come back and find it un-stolen. What policy would you advocate? The way I see it, and many may disagree with this, but the failure was not a moral failure, but an administerial one(if that).. Adele has no bad girl reputation on campus. But I also understand how difficult this whole situation becomes for Christendom, having no evidence whatsoever. As of the fall of 2022, the college has over 4,000 alumni, with 2,194 of them having earned degrees (A.A., B.A., or M.A.).[3]. So we expect sexual intimacy to be all nice and clearly delineated? They should be paying me for the therapy I need, not the other way around. [3] The college also retired nearly $600,000 in debt without disrupting the growth of the college.[8]. Christendom is praised as a safe haven where young students can focus on their studies, grow in their faith, and breathe the Catholic air. But several former and current students say the schools sheltered, highly structured campus culture actually facilitates sexual assault and that the administration works harder to protect its reputation than it does to protect its students. The basement of the admissions office (a building which, Im pretty sure, is condemned but still functions as an office despite the dangers) had a breaker room in the back behind 2 locked doors.