In Support of Franciscan University of Steubenville

Thank you Franciscan for remaining true to our Catholic ideals amidst outside attacks.

I love Franciscan it truly blessed my life and our family

JMJ

Keep up the constant conversion, Franciscan.

Thank you

Class of 2002. I'm abundantly grateful to FUS for my college experience. Praying for your continuing efforts in strengthening the faith of young Catholics!

Thank you FUS for everything that I gained during my 4 years in Steubenville. That time made me who I am. I look forward to my children attending in the future. Class of 2001.

No group on earth has a corner on sin. But whether or not the sin is found inside or outside of the Church, it never really discredits the Church, and on a smaller level, it does not discredit Franciscan University. Those who want to scandalize people to the point of hurting Franciscan's credibility "might as well say that the Ark was discredited by the Flood. When the world goes wrong, it proves rather that the Church is right. The Church is justified, not because her children do not sin, but because they do. But that marks their mood about the whole religious tradition: they are in a state of reaction against it." (Chesterton, "Everlasting Man"). I agree wholeheartedly that what this petition expresses is the truth; that what Franciscan has to offer is far greater than the cycle of harmful gossip that has circulated around particular instances and weak points about it. And from my personal experience of the last four years at Franciscan, I think that the support for implementing Title IX has gotten stronger, and we should praise that instead of getting hung up on the negativity. God Bless!

I worked in Reslife during my time at the University, If the University really was trying to cover up and ignore Title IX I and several of my fellow RAs would have been fired on the spot.

Class of 2018 :)

In my experience (FUS 2001), Franciscan University did an excellent job of fostering healthy and chaste relationships between the sexes. I have no reason to believe that anything has changed since my time there.

Praying for my alma mater always!

Every since the seed was planted in Fr. Mike Scanlon's heart, the truth has touched the lives of many students. Where the truth remains, the Father of lies is not far off. Not all want to agree with the Catholic Faith. Some can't rectify their lifestyle for another. There have been some who have struggle with their sexuality. There are those who think we will accommodate those beliefs. Instead of accommodating, we pray and ask for healing for our brothers and sisters.

One of the BEST Universities in the world!

In my opinion, Franciscan University puts in a conscious effort to do the right thing when difficult issues present themselves

No institution is perfect but I believe that FUS is an orthodox and caring institution. While I was there I had a situation which required counseling , unplanned absences and help from many departments as I had to rearrange my schedule and volunteer commitments. Every department involved was caring, considerate and extremely helpful in getting me back on track. I do not know what the current situation is about. Mistakes may have been made. I doubt it is an institutional habit.

I know and love Liz Mentyka, personally, and her narrative is both honest and completely trustworthy!

Franciscan University is a REAL Catholic college. Like all things REALLY Catholic, it is really loved or opposed. Sure it is composed of frail people, like all institutions and mistakes have been made. But it has stayed true to its Catholic principles on the whole. So the discussion and the controversy against the University is ultimately directed against the REAL Catholic Faith, as given to us by Jesus Christ, in particular its stand on sexual ethics, given to us by Jesus Christ, which some former alumni disagree with. But instead of being honest about disagreeing with the actual tenets of the Catholic Faith, they disingenuously attack a Catholic institution instead.

FUS is not only up to par in its handling of sexual impropriety, it cares far more than most institutions & does a lot more about it. Wonderful school, wonderful people, who care more than any professor I've met at any other college or university. While completely complying with Title IX procedure, they take it even beyond with Catholic moral teaching. Naysayers are bitter for other reasons (yes, I do know personally) & fueled by an insistence that can only come from the father of lies & confusion- I hate to say that, but evil influence is real & insistent. I hope those who are bent on bringing down the University will find the light of truth & honestly withdraw their hollow, yet so public & emotional, complaints (though surely damage has already been done). God bless Franciscan University.

Sorry, this will be a long comment. As a survivor of fairly brutal sexual assault while attending Franciscan, I have been horrified by the way the school has been maligned as part of this "discussion." I did not come forward while I was a student because I was afraid of my family finding out. I have tried to stay silent even now because I did not want those attacking Franciscan to use my story to further their campaign. But I do not blame the school whatsoever for the crime that was committed against me off-campus by a fellow student. From my experience in dealing with the administration in other matters related to my mental health after the fact, I firmly believe that the university would have handled my situation with the utmost compassion and probably would have done everything they could to help me feel safe. I feel nothing but grateful to the school administrators and residence staff that -- even not knowing why I was suffering -- still helped me stay afloat by not removing my scholarship or dropping me from the Honors Program even after my grades slipped, and sending me to counseling when I became suicidal. I truly believe that Franciscan is an amazing place, and was not responsible for what happened to me. The fact that I returned for my Master's four years after graduating the first time should speak for itself. Yes, it was difficult being back, more than you could ever know. But the love and compassion from both students and faculty that I experienced there truly made it worth returning. Franciscan did not fail me. It gave me faith and fortitude against pain and trauma that might otherwise have killed me, and brought me lasting friends, a wonderful husband, and two degrees. I know that not everyone experiences trauma the same way and that those who are attacking the school probably genuinely feel that Franciscan has wronged them. I pray for them and hope that they find the peace and help they were unable to, for one reason or another, while