Do Not Allow Karrine Steffans to Tarnish Dillard University's Brand

This speaker does not represent the Dillard brand nor does she provide an example of the values that Dillard has set forth in its graduates.

You guys are so hypocritical. 1) how do you know students aren't in agreement. Some might just be. 2) most of you are mad that your skills weren't published like hers. Lord knows several of you on this list have performed the same acts in Straight, Williams, Camphor and Hartzel. Some of yall right there at the flag pole. 3) until the Gates foundation, AT&T, UNCF, Keller-Freeman family, James Hardy Dillard family, etc. - you know people who give REAL contributions start complaining you are wasting your time. The $10K a year you each give does not add to much. Oops I am sorry, none of you give $10K each year! 4) where is the petition to revoke Bill Cosby's honorary degree? 5) where were you when FLOTUS was the speaker. Her husband has done nothing for HBCUs. If anything he has made it tougher, i.e. PLUS loan regulations and threats of program eliminations. 6) I don't want to listen to her. Therefore, if I lived in NOLA, I simply would not go. It is simple. 7) You think you are sending a message of your stance. Little do you know folks are really laughing at Dillard...once again! 8) Dillard is a place of higher learning. All schools of thoughts should be explored, whether we agree to them or not. Students shouldn't be exposed to just one idea, good or bad. To suggest otherwise is a disservice to the learning experience. No wonder Dillard is always an after thought....

I had to educate myself about who this person is after seeing the vehemence with which my sorority sisters oppose her being added to the list of speakers. I now realize why I had no idea who she is. The "brand" she represents is not one I support or would waste my time following.

Please, please, please...NO!! Please leave this community's African population at least one (private) institution that we can ALL be proud of and reject this "offer!" Thanks...

I understand, but do not agree with this very controversial speaker. I was most disappointed in Dr. Kimbrough's response.

Why do people see her as a rule model in the first place?

She is a disgrace and the president should be ashamed of himself for bringing her to my beloved campus to be a speaker

Bear in mind that being open minded doesn't mean that you leave your good sense behind and become accepting of everything. Case in point - Dwight Howard. I can be open minded and agree that it's his money and his body and if he wants (at last count) eight "baby mommas", then it's his right. However, that doesn't mean that I would parade his choice as normal behavior. Dillard and other HBCUs are about more than filling seats by attracting the most popular circus geek to blow into town. This seems more about one man's desire to hob nob with celebrities than about actually bringing in quality (vs quantity) speakers. This appears to send the message that the end justifies the means. To justify her appearance as "controversial" seems to bring up the sophomoric argument "but everyone else is doing it". How about doing it right? How does one go from commencement speaker Denzel Washington's admonishment to keep God in front of everything you do and then bring in this to address a subject as serious as domestic violence? It's not only an affront to the sensibility that has kept Dillard in the forefront of better-funded organizations, but also to everyone who has been abused in a domestic situation or has lost someone to domestic violence. I'm no prude, but I am disgusted by the choice and the piss poor rationale put forth by President Walter M. Kimbrough.

I just feel that by having this speaker it will send the wrong message to the young men and women attending Dillard.

I do not think Karin Steffans represents the type of professional Dillard University would inspire its graduates to become.

This cannot happen.

My DU!

I am opposed to Ms. Steffans participating as a member of the October brain food panel. As an active member of DUNAA, I will withdraw my financial support of the university for the coming academic year. There are many other individuals highly qualified to speak on the subject of domestic violence who exemplify the qualities Dillard strives to instill in its students.

This is ridiculous. This is unacceptable for the standards that Dillard University is supposed to uphold. The titles of her books alone should be considered inappropriate for the type of lecture that's being given. Since when does filling seats trumph dignity?? I wish her well in her personal endeavors, but it's those endeavors (see her book "drink , f**k, sleep) that make her inappropriate for lecturing young women and men

I don't support Karrine Steffans as a speaker. She doesn't fit what Dillard University uses to represent itself. No Thanks

Ya'll hoes wasnt worried about cheapen the brand when you was sneaking into them dorm rooms and getting that dick. STFU

Not now or never Not in my time

Noway

Agreed.

Class of 1998