Petition for Sewanee to Revoke Charlie Rose's Honorary Degree

I'm signing this because I love Sewanee, have been proud of it and don't want to stop being either. I hope the administration will reconsider and not let us down.

Ashamed that the administration isn’t listening to its students, alumni, community. This isn’t the Sewanee I fell in love with.

c'99.

C'89. For Reference: "Honorary Degrees awarded by the University are in recognition of unusual achievement by individuals whose services to the Church, to arts and letters, to science or to human society have advanced the principles for which the University stands." (Ordinances of the University of the South, Ch 19, Sect 1) *Thanks are due Lisa Rung for sharing this information.* The question that now must be answered by the University is whether the reprehensible acts for which Charlie Rose has admitted his culpability truly "have advanced the principles for which the University stands." If so, then Sewanee is truly lost. If not, there is no question that his honorary degree must be publicly and permanently revoked. This is not a situation in which the University can hold opposing views in tension.

How good and pleasant it would be, if brothers and sisters actually lived together in unity on this campus. This is an important step in that journey.

C' 2020

C'04

C'09

Way to go guys!

Mathematics Major, Class of 1993, Currently a Monthly Donor to The University of the South, Aunt to a Current Sewanee Student

Former student who knows Sewanee is better than this. Listen to your students, defend what is right.

I am so glad to see students speaking up!

I will withhold donations until you revoke this degree. Guinevere (Barr) Dorado, C’06

It is past time for our voices to be heard.

As a survivor of domestic violence by a fellow alum, I condemn any and all forms of sexual misconduct and violence against women and men. An important part of my survival and recovery were due to principles of moral responsibility and integrity inculcated by Sewanee. This is a clear violation of everything for which Sewanee stands; #YSREVOKE

sexual assault, and even unwarranted harassment, is disgraceful. Having an honorary degree recipient accused of any sexual misconduct should dictate immediate rescinding of the degree. This decision reflects poorly on the institution and its stance on sexual assault.

The Board of Trustees, The University of The South c/o Dr. Gerald Smith, Secretary 735 University Avenue Sewanee, Tennessee 37383 February 21, 2018 Whereas, there have been several excellent responses to the disastrous response penned by four members of the Sewanee Board of Regents regarding the presentation of Brickson and Murdock requesting the revocation of the honorary degree bequeathed on Charlie Rose, my classmate and I are compelled to respond further, and to urge the Trustees to take action. The Regents' response underscores the sad fact, that even in the twenty-first century, Sewanee is a place where women's voices are still not valued, and that in this instance, Sewanee has sent the message to its students that a man and his "accomplishments" are worth more than the women who testified to his admitted abuse of power. It is as if the University has proclaimed loudly, and in unbelievably condescending terms, "...ladies, you are on your own..." and has proved beyond argument that Sewanee is still truly a boys-only club. Not only did DeLozier, Howard, McLarty and McCardell offer the most ridiculous and thinly woven theological interpretation of sins and sinners, but they dared to try and defend that interpretation through the Honor Code. If we are indeed speaking in terms of the Honor Code and defending those wronged by sexual assault, then DeLozier et al. are guilty by association. The Regents' refusal to rescind the degree is tacit approval of Rose's behavior. Any student who enabled a fellow student's criminal actions on campus would also be held accountable under the terms of the Honor Code, would they not? Therefore, it is incumbent upon the University to take this insinuated protection of an admitted criminal activity as seriously as possible. Rose's credential must be revoked in clear and deliberate terms, and the signatories to the Regents' letter - and any other Board Members who did not vigorously protest that response - s

Sexual misconduct violates EQB and should not be taken lightly. We need to stand with survivors rather then defending assaulters. Sewanee needs to take a stance against sexual misconduct.

This should have been a simple decision, Sewanee. You failed us all.

So proud!!! Of all these students!! Thank you for being a voice that so many adults are too stuffy to be