Our Villified Deans
There seems to be a strange misconception on campus that our administration is actively trying to hurt us or even endanger us, and that it is too incompetent to be running our school. I assume these thoughts and feelings are the result of bad journalism, petty gossip and our generation’s desire to hop on the activism bandwagon. The deans’ jobs are to protect us and listen to us, and in my opinion, they are actually doing that. If you do not like our deans because they make you go to Assembly, fine. But if you do not like them because of a poorly written, one-sided story presented by the Boston Globe, I suggest you reconsider your reasons.
"It is so easy to place all of the blame on our administration, but I think something a lot of students are struggling with is the fact that it’s on us. It’s on us to stop sexual assault."
First off, students are upset because we cannot and will not know the truth. The idea that we believe we deserve a detailed explanation about sensitive, private matters proves to me how entitled we are. But we are children. Yes, we are very intelligent children. We are the “best and the brightest.” That said, we should be content knowing that our administration is here for us. They have clearly laid out what is right and what is wrong, what they will do and what is to be kept private—believe it or not, people, especially minors, are entitled to their privacy. Our deans and principal are here to listen to us, to answer questions and to address any issues we may have. They genuinely mean it when they tell us this. They are not lying. What would they achieve in lying to us? In ignoring our concerns? Nothing.
Some students also believe that members of our administration—specifically Dean Cosgrove—are biased towards certain students. The accusation that Cosgrove is at all preventing the punishment of student athletes is blatantly incorrect. Cosgrove, as Dean of Residential Life, is responsible for overseeing the disciplinary process and helping students understand the rules and procedures to follow when they are broken. In addition to this, he is required to report any suspicion of sexual assault, just like every other adult on campus. He will not brush aside the the cries of a victim because the accused is a soccer or hockey player. Not only is this claim insulting to Cosgrove, but to the entire school.
My goal here is not to trivialize the experience of any survivors of sexual assault and rape. That being said, not all cases of sexual misconduct merit the same response. It is great that we finally acknowledge the fact that sex—whether consensual or not—happens on campus. I just wish this discussion did not have to begin with the demonization of our deans, who are wonderful people that everyone should get to know. It is so easy to place all of the blame on our administration, but I think something a lot of students are struggling with is the fact that it’s on us. It’s on us to stop sexual assault.
I’m not saying that our administration can’t help us accomplish this. In fact, they actually are helping us accomplish this. They are educating proctors and student listeners. They have brought in speakers and “SLUT: The Play.” If you think they aren’t doing enough, maybe instead of complaining to one another about science teachers running our school, you should actually say something. Make a recommendation or a complaint. Don’t just sit around.
As for the truth behind the monkey bread case, that is not for the students on this campus to decide and debate. We were not there. We cannot be certain of who is at fault. The only thing we can be certain of is that the administration is actually here working for us and with us. I am not claiming that our administration is perfect or that the students should stop fighting for change. However, I do believe the only way to spark a positive change is to be respectful. There are many unpublicized, properly-handled cases, and the few controversial, publicized cases are seen through only one lens. Don’t be so quick to surmise that the administration has failed you.