We, Swarthmore College Organizing for Survivors (O4S), stand in solidarity with the students at Princeton University in their courageous protest in which they demand reforms to Title IX and beyond. O4S sees the work of the Princeton IX Now movement as deeply linked to the systemic ways in which student survivors are harmed continuously by the failure of colleges and universities. This failure manifests itself not only in issues in Title IX procedure and implementation but also in a lack of institutional accountability and transparency necessary for these processes. We are aligned especially with Princeton IX Now’s commitment to Transformative and Restorative Justice.

Just as Swarthmore’s O4S calls for radical change to our Title IX Office, as well as other institutions that further harm survivors on our campus, we see the potential for Princeton’s movement to reach beyond Title IX reform thus including and advocating for the rights of a much broader range of survivors on their campus.

This past Tuesday, May 7, 2019, a group of Princeton University students began a sit in on the lawn outside of Princeton’s primary administrative building, Nassau Hall. They delivered a list of 11 demands to the Vice President of the University later that afternoon. The following day, a Dean of the University gave a written statement to the students sitting in; it was only two sentences long. Its contents were dismissive and unmoved by the protest, defaulting to the very institutional practices that the students of Princeton IX Now movement were speaking and acting out against. Later in the week, the University began using language and tactics that erased the work of student organizers and activists. Instead of giving credit to survivors and their allies, the University claimed initiatives as their own, writing over the narratives of students they have harmed.

The similarities between the tactics used by Swarthmore College and Princeton University administrators is unignorable and unacceptable. We refuse to tolerate these actions taken against our fellow organizers.

Both Swarthmore College and Princeton University consider themselves exceptional, progressive institutions. We call on them to be at the forefront of change in higher learning. This means acknowledging the unmeasurable amount of student labor and pain that goes into reforming systems of violence and harm, not erasing it. To our institutions: You can do better.

We encourage you to sign our letter of support, to stand in solidarity with Princeton IX Now, as well as survivor-centered movements elsewhere, fighting for the rights of survivors each and everyday.

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We encourage you to donate to their efforts if you are able. All funds will go towards food and supplies such as blankets and poster materials. In the event that there are extra funds, the movement will donate them to an organization committed to supporting survivors of sexual harm. Donate to the action!