It is with adamant anger that we find that Hampton University has not properly handled sexual assault cases here on campus. Per Title IX documents, Hampton can be found to be in numerous violations of guidelines that are supposed to be followed. Hampton University does not make it a standard to teach about and prevent sexual assault. As all current freshman and upperclassmen can agree, the extent to which knowledge on the subject was shared by the University was only during New Student Orientation week. Posters within the health center are the only consistently active reminders on the subject. The University 101 course under Hampton’s curriculum (a mandatory class for all students) shares little to absolutely nothing on the education of sexual harassment and/or discrimination. Hampton cannot be described as “proactive” in informing students about sexual discrimination/misconduct with so many opportunities to do so being ignored.

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President William R. Harvey himself can be found in direct violation of Title IX guidelines. During the annual Hampton University town hall meeting, a victim of sexual assault came forward complaining about the fact that the university did not properly handled her case, especially when it came to Title IX guidelines. When the student pressed the matter, Harvey cut her off and tried to silence her. Once the student reluctantly sat down, Harvey then went on to say  “you women must not allow a man to do that to you.” There are three things wrong with the words he expressed. First, he implies that the population of women on campus are essentially allowing themselves to be assaulted, as if it was asked for. Secondly, at no point did he express this same sentiment for the male population. Speaking only to the women in the crowd, he completely ignores the fact that men can also be victims of sexual assault. This creates a bias in the sense that men should not have to worry, which also goes against Title IX rules. Lastly, it was the tone in which he addressed the student. Words as insensitive as these, coming directly from the president of the school, creates an environment where it is very discouraging for any other victims to come forward. If they are treated like this by the highest authority, what trust can they have for those handling their cases? Hampton University has a direct responsibility to report all cases of sexual assault to its Title IX coordinator who just so happens to also be President Harvey’s daughter. President Harvey keeps the business of Hampton University within the family which causes too much of a conflict of interest. 

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The number of sexual predators thought to still roam this campus is stagnating. If Hampton were actually doing its job correctly, with proper education on what sexual assault is, how to prevent and report it, and delivering just punishment to assailants, young men and women on this campus would not have to constantly fear the possibility of being harmed. This becomes even more horrific when students don’t feel the need to come forward because of administrative response and inaction to punish offenders. This allowance of sexual assault has also been present with in Greek organizations which is disappointment because these are the organizations we are told to be inspired by. Listening and empathizing with a friend who is sharing their personal experience with sexual assault is heart break. It becomes even more heartbreaking when there is no justice served because their assailant is a member of a certain organization or team. The perpetrators walk campus free of charge or punishment everyday while their victims are haunted by their presence. 

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Hampton University is not the only school with issues regarding sexual assault, but it is deeply concerning that Hampton has yet to properly handle its issues within the matter. Because the campus is so small, the community is close-knit. To know sexual predators are freely interacting within this close-knit community is immensely unsettling. What the student body of Hampton University aims to do is begin changing the climate around sexual assault on campus. We propose that we first remove the current Title IX coordinator, to eliminate all possibilities of bias or conflicts of interest when handling cases. We also propose Hampton incorporates the education of Title IX rights into the University 101 and 101-H courses. We propose that these rights be displayed in the form of pamphlets and flyers around campus as much as we do with any activity. Finally, we propose that Hampton University guarantees these rights to anyone who may become a victim of sexual assault or discrimination. As a whole, it is Hampton University’s responsibility and legal obligation to provide its students a safe environment. As the largest investors in Hampton University, in seeing that Hampton has not provided its students with a safe environment, we as students have taken the responsibility of holding Hampton University accountable for its lax job in protecting us from and informing us of the dangers of sexual assault.

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The Independent Collective of Hampton University