November 25, 2014
Dear AAPAAN Members and fellow Members of the UVA Community:
Like all students, alumni, and associated members of the entire University of Virginia community, AAPAAN is shocked, dismayed, and outraged about the 2012 assault and other crimes depicted in the Nov 19, 2014 Rolling Stone article, “A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice at UVA”. The fact is that rape is a violent felony assault. It has no place in a civilized society, much less on Grounds where values such as honor and integrity should be enshrined in every brick and in every soul.
We express deep sympathy for the survivors of sexual assault, current and past. AAPAAN stands ready to do whatever we can, whether in contributing resources, support, or a voice to anyone in the UVA community who has experienced such violence, reported or not.
Unfortunately, the Administration’s exhortations of “Jeffersonian values” rings hollow for the moment. AAPAAN condemns not only the perpetrators of purported crimes and the individuals who betrayed their supposed friend for social status, but also the University for its inaction and failure to protect the students and uphold the values of honor and trust upon which the University was established, and for allowing such a culture to flourish at the University (even if through neglect). As reported in the article, the fact that 183 students have been expelled for honor code violations since 1998 while not a single student has been expelled for sexual assault is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead of us and of course the University community.
As the alumni association for the largest minority group at UVA, AAPAAN asks that its members and fellow Alumni focus their collective efforts on finding constructive solutions that will do right by the survivors, ensuring the safety of everyone on Grounds, preventing future crimes, and holding responsible parties and the University administration accountable. AAPAAN expects:
- The Administration to continue its reported efforts on greater cooperation with law enforcement and improved policies and procedures governing sexual misconduct to ensure that the survivors of sexual assault receive the protection and justice they deserve;
- Administration officials be held accountable for failure to execute established policies appropriately. There should be periodic and independent audits of their adherence to these policies;
- A thorough and independent investigation of sexual misconduct at UVA with a special emphasis on the Greek system. We expect the recommendations (including possible limitations imposed upon, and greater oversight of, fraternity activities) to be broadly discussed within the University community by the Administration; and
- The Administration to support student leadership moving forward. We recognize that student-led efforts are crucial to engendering the type of institutional change needed, and we support and encourage student leadership and efforts to transform the campus culture around sexual assault.
A misguided sense of loyalty to one’s university, one’s fraternity brothers, or one’s “friends” is not an excuse for not doing the right thing. “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” –Sir Edmund Burke.
Finally, AAPAAN believes the path to rehabilitating our beloved University starts with each individual member of the UVA community—students, parents, friends, student organizations and societies, faculty and administration, alumni, oversight authorities, and benefactors—exhibiting and demanding nothing less than basic moral behavior and a fundamental respect for each other. Perhaps only then, can we together restore honor to our beloved UVA.
Signed,
AAPAAN Board and Executive Officers