Petition Over Alleged Assault Gains Traction
Update: Signatures exceeded 11,700 as of Wednesday evening. This is a developing story.
A petition that launched on Tuesday evening has exceeded 6,400 signatures, calling for the removal of a Marist College athlete who a fellow student alleged assaulted her Sunday evening, off-campus.
The college responded to the alleged incident on social media Wednesday morning: “The College has been made aware of an incident, which took place off-campus, and is fully cooperating with law enforcement in this matter. At this time, Marist cannot comment an on-going legal investigation. Marist does not condone assault and strongly encourages the reporting of incidences such as this.”
The college’s post and the most recent post on the Marist Football Instagram account have become crowded with calls to action from students and alumni. The Marist Circle is awaiting replies from Marist officials and is in contact with the family of the student who reported the alleged abuse.
This is a developing story.
Title IX at Marist
While the college’s Title IX Office is not able to comment on particular investigations, Interim Coordinator Christina Daniele spoke broadly about Title IX procedures.
Off-Campus: Marist or the Police?
Criminal investigations through the police and Title IX investigations through the college happen separately. Daniele said that when incident occurs with a Marist student off-campus, law enforcement tends to take precedent and “typically likes to interview all parties involved, collect their evidence before the college starts their internal process.” This often delays the start of the college’s investigation.
The College’s Process
What happens through the college hinges on how far the student wants to follow the process through, Daniele said. If they proceed with an investigation through the college, investigators are assigned to the case, a hearing panel evaluates whether a violation of the college’s policies occurred, a cross examination follows, and ultimately the coordinator decides whether or not to uphold a sanction. The office aims to complete investigations within 60 days, though each case varies.
Could an Accused Student be Suspended Before an Investigation is Complete?
Daniele said it depends on the situation. Typically, no contact orders may be implemented at the forefront and interim suspensions or bans from campus may follow. “An interim suspension might be rendered, but at the same time, as we're collecting evidence and finding facts out, that may change. We may lift it, we may make it stricter, we may enforce one that we didn't have before. It all depends on how the facts come to present themselves.”
The petition calls for the removal, not only the suspension, of the alleged abuser to “create a safe learning environment for women.” Multiple Marist organizations have posted in solidarity with domestic violence victims, including Counseling Services, Marist FEMME, the Purple Thread, It’s On Us Marist and more.
As the story continues to develop, the Circle will update this story with further details. We are actively seeking further information about the incident and/or related previous incidents. Email writethecircle@gmail.com.
Multiple Marist organizations have posted in solidarity with domestic violence victims, including Counseling Services, Marist FEMME, the Purple Thread, It’s On Us Marist and more, following news of an alleged assault. Source: Sarah Lynch ‘21