Finally, FINALLY — a story about college kids doing something dumb that DOESN’T involve Greek life. That’s not to say this is a “good” story – obviously it’s horrible. These kids suck. But seeing frat after frat after frat get in trouble for shit like having a “no means yes and yes means anal” party, or for chanting “lets rape some bitches” while on-camera…it’s like the only dumb people in college are in Greek life, and that’s obviously not true. All students have the ability to be dumb, ignorant twats, and these kids at Old Dominion University are here to prove my point with this shitty banner that they hung on their off-campus house:
According to ODU spokesperson Giovanna Genard via WAVY.com, the signs were hung from a private residence on 43rd Street in Norfolk, Virginia. In a statement provided by Vice President of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services Ellen Nuefeldt,
“Messages like the ones displayed [Friday] by a few students on the balcony of their private residence are not and will not tolerated. The moment University staff became aware of these banners, they worked to have them removed. At ODU, we foster a community of respect and dignity and these messages sickened us. They are not representative of our 3,000 faculty and staff, 25,000 students and our 130,000 alumni…
Now, here’s where I’m a little stuck on this whole thing:
The signs were hung from a private, off-campus house, meaning that the university really doesn’t have any right or ability to remove the signs, right? Yes they’re trashy and disgusting but it’s free speech. If you want to be a douchebag and hang a sign that says “I Love Tossing 18-Year-Old Salads On Move-In Day,” well then that’s your prerogative. Had an adult who isn’t a functionally stupid college student hung these signs, ODU most likely wouldn’t have been able to do jack shit about it. But since the house is presumably full of college kids and no university wants publicity like this flying around right as the fall semester is starting…well, I’m guessing Dominion leveraged some shit and got them taken down.
Which is obviously the right decision – don’t get me wrong. These are disgusting and completely insensitive considering it’s 2015 (or any year, really), but all I’m saying is that it’s free speech. Granted, having the ability to say what you want doesn’t mean that you’re protected from the way people choose to react to whatever you say, but you shouldn’t be forced to hide it away either.
As I’m sure you’ve already surmised, the signs were swiftly taken down in the wake of all the backlash they were receiving. As for what ODU President John R. Broderick had to say about the whole fiasco in a statement sent to all faculty, staff and students on Saturday night:
Dear Colleague:
I am outraged about the offensive message directed toward women that was visible for a time on 43rd Street. Our students, campus community and alumni have been offended.
While we constantly educate students, faculty and staff about sexual assault and sexual harassment, this incident confirms our collective efforts are still failing to register with some.
A young lady I talked to earlier today courageously described the true meaning of the hurt this caused. She thought seriously about going back home.
But she was heartened, she explained, when she saw how fellow students were reacting to this incident on social media. She realized this callous and senseless act did not reflect the Old Dominion she has come to love.
The Student Government Association has recently developed the “Monarchs Raising Up” campaign educating our students on prevention of sexual and relationship violence, bystander intervention, and off-campus responsible behavior. Through video, online and in-person content, we layer education on these topics for all of our students throughout the year. All new freshman just received education this weekend on preventing discrimination and sexual assault in sessions we call “First Class.”
Here is a link to a video from our student leaders responding to this event–just one example of how Old Dominion University students take a stand every day in regards to respecting each other and promoting responsible behavior: https://youtu.be/NC72ruvRtdY
I said at my State of the University address that there is zero tolerance on this campus for sexual assault and sexual harassment. This incident will be reviewed immediately by those on campus empowered to do so. Any student found to have violated the code of conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.
Sincerely,
John R. Broderick
President
Go Monarchs.
UPDATE: It looks like this was actually done by a bunch of Sigma Nu kids. Goddammit.
[H/T WAVY]