Petition for Sewanee to Revoke Charlie Rose's Honorary Degree

It's not too late to show some moral courage.

T’05

I graduated with the class of 1982. I have sent 3 daughters to Sewanee and it has been made clear that the University is woefully unaware and slow to address sexual assault on campus. The letter from the VC and some of the Regents clarified why. They really don’t get it! Please read the letter from the Theology professors and listen!

Class of 1993

This has been an issue for just a hair too long.

"Of course, indifference can be tempting -- more than that, seductive. It is so much easier to look away from victims. It is so much easier to avoid such rude interruptions to our work, our dreams, our hopes. It is, after all, awkward, troublesome, to be involved in another person's pain and despair. Yet, for the person who is indifferent, his or her neighbor are of no consequence. And, therefore, their lives are meaningless. Their hidden or even visible anguish is of no interest. Indifference reduces the other to an abstraction." - Elie Wiesel, The Perils of Indifference

Alumni class of 2013. Thank you to the Speak Up committee for doing this important work.

When I was co-director at The Wick in 2013, I witnessed Sewanee's leadership fail survivors of sexual misconduct again and again. It's not loving, kind, gracious, or forgiving to leave the oppressed to demand fair treatment. By not revoking Charlie Rose's honorary degree, the University -- again -- stands with the oppressor. By continuing to ignore the community's backlash, the University -- again -- makes it the chore of the oppressed to ensure we can learn in a safe environment. The class I took with John McCardell was the capstone of my critical thinking education. It's lost on me why the leader of our community continues to condone decisions that defy what he taught me.

C'88

I am so disappointed in the board of regents and John Mccardell... Sewanee has been and continues to perpetuate rape culture.

I am so disappointed in the board of regents and John Mccardell... Sewanee has been and continues to perpetuate rape culture.

I'm not an alum of Sewanee but am a community member. I have raised four daughters and one son in this community. My children have all grown into strong well-rounded and open-minded young adults with the help of the Sewanee influences. My youngest daughter turned down a scholarship to Sewanee after doing research on the University statistics of rape, violence, theft, etc at the University of the South. She gave a PowerPoint presentation to us as why it wasn't safe for her to attend Sewanee. We were shocked by the statistics of our tiny little sleepy town but this confirms it. How can you allow Sewanee to uphold someone who has sexual misconduct allegations? Are we going back to the old days of turning our heads? If so, the Sewanee should also go back to being a male only university to ensure the safety of the female students. What happened to YSR? What a shame!

C’12

I am so very disappointed with the university’s decision to not revoke Rose’s honorary degree.

Revoke! C'01

This isn't the Sewanee I believe in. Do better Sewanee #YSRevoke!

class of '91

I expect better from this University. ... please prove this expectation warranted. Stop enabling rape culture. Your reputation is already negative in this regard, but reputation is not the main reason to give this clearer thought. Do better.

C'99

C'17 Proud to see so many great students, alumni, and friends of the university speaking out.