Dear University of Portland’s Administration, Are You Listening?

In light of the reccent sexual assault case on University of Portland’s campus Her Campus writers have been interviewing students with the question: if you could say one thing to our administration what would it be? The results were overwhelming. We as students are a united voice that is disappointed and disgusted by how our administration has handled the reccent reporting of a sexual assault. 

So to the University of Portland’s administration, I ask, are you listening?

“You need to answer some of the questions that faculty and students have, and you need to address the problems so the system and they way we handle sexual assualt  improves.”

-Jenna Rossiter, sophomore.

“We as students are upset about the lack of answers and how you are repsonding to this sexual assault case.”

-Freshman.

“This did not have to end this way”

-Ian Warren, freshman.

“You need to take more action in order for students to feel safe and heard. This is a community centered around faith and love, you should start acting like it.”

-Freshman.

“There is no room for gender discrimination.” 

-Catherine.

“It’s not okay to victim blame women.”

-Sarah.

“I’m so upset I have to keep myself from swearing. Seriously f**k you.”

-Junior.

“Stop protecting yourselves. Look past your image.”

-Lizzie.

“It’s so f****d up that you punish something as like marijuana use so heavily and seriously, but rape is okay?”

-Lauren.

“You’re trying to act like you care about us but something like this shows us you don’t. This could happen to any of us.”

-Haley.

“F**k the administration. Think about your loved ones and try to tell me it isn’t an issue. What if this was your kid?”

-Gabrielle.

“Believe us. Trust us.”

-Brooke.

 “After four years of activism and paying for my tuition. I’m disgusted with your pattern of disrespect to women on this campus.”

-Hannah.

“Director Haug, try to sweep this one under the rug.”

-Madeline.

“Stop boasting that you’re against violence and then not doing anything.”

-Kim.

“By failing to keep open communication you’re showing us that you have failed us and that you know that you have done something wrong. I don’t feel safe or protected or that I could bring my own problems forward.”

-Goshina Meman, junior.

“The reason I chose UP is because I thought you were against violence and discrimination. This is disappointing.”

-Ashlee, junior.

“People respect honesty and vulnerability. If you could admit your shortcomings, then we could move forward. Take the time to be open.”

Nathan, sophomore.

“I want to see compassion for the students.”

-Senior.

“I know this is a difficult position, but the university is for the students. Please listen to us. We know what’s best for our well-being.”

-Senior.

“It isn’t just this one case. It’s much bigger. Our system is broken.”

-Emily.

“Stop trying to lull your students into complacency. Your words mean nothing.”

-Saige Wheaton.

“Address the problem of sexual assault. You can’t make it go away no matter how hard you try.”

-Kerrie Doran.

“The well-being of students should be more important than your image.”

-Maddy Green.

“Stop blaming the victims. Stop protecting the perpetrator.”

-Mathilda Seger.

“Listen to us.”

-Brandon.

“We have a long way to go. Work with us.”

-John.

• assault
• Portland
• rape
• safety
• sex