Unsilenced: A Petition for Sexual Misconduct Policy Reform at La Sierra University

Instead of debating who said what and whatnot. La Sierra University’s first and foremost duty is to protect their students! God holds this campus to a higher standard, let’s stop the banter and uphold our responsibilities to our students. Isn’t that the right thing to do in God’s eyes? If the gospel is truly about love, lets model love and truth and be the University that God would be proud of. This needs to be a safe and loving environment again - get your house in order La Sierra university.

I pray for the victims of sexual assault and misconduct who were simply dismissed at an institution whose base is centered on serving others (especially when it comes to situations in which students do not feel safe.) I hope LaSU is able to cater to the requests made in this petition and compensation is given to those who were forced into silence. In the meanwhile, may God place a healing and loving hand on these victims. Psalms 34:17-18

Praying for God to make justice for all the victims of this unspeakable crimes against young woman.

I am not a student at La Sierra, but I have friends and family who are. Friends, family, HUMAN BEINGS deserve to be treated with fairness, with sensitivity, and with unabashed love, especially those who are oppressed and silenced, by a Christian institution, no less. Every voice needs to be heard, and every injustice should be met with justice. As the small fountain I walked by when visiting the campus says: But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24)

I am a full-time faculty member in HMS Divinity School at La Sierra University. I have read the Petition, as well as Dr. Carlson's email that many of us at LaSU received and the campuswide email from President Wisbey and Associate Provost Fehr sent out by Ms. Darla Tucker, Director of the PR, in apparent response to Dr. Carlson's message and others like it. I have also read "An Open Letter to President Wisbey" posted on April 29 by Unsilenced La Sierra. Both sides may dispute the veracity of some of the details contained in the other's claims. Be that as it may, what is happening (the Petition signed by several hundred in a short time, the accompanying Comments and the statements continually being updated) reflects a grassroots democratic ethos that is conscientized, conscientizing, passionate, and caring. I welcome and applaud this collective endeavor. I am signing the Petition because I support its spirit and principle, and because I find its seven "Demands" to be perfectly reasonable. If the University wants to claim that any of them has already been met and implemented, and is willing to have such claim publically scrutinized, it can do so. But the most important and impactful segment I have read on Unsilenced La Sierra site is "Survivor Stories." Any discourse in life worth our time and energy has faces, human and divine. It is these faces that compel us to recognize the urgency of an open dialogue regarding Title IX's necessity, function, and its actual practice on campus. It is these faces that I see at the core of this Petition--singularly the most important reason I am joining its signatories. A final comment on a disturbing paragraph in "An Open Letter to President Wisbey" (April 29): It says, "Faculty members have expressed a willingness to sign the #UnsilencedLaSierra petition. Many are not sure that they will be able to sign, however, because they are uncomfortable 'going against the boss.' We understand that the threat of job lo

long time coming.

Title IX was passed in 1972. Why do we still have these problems at so many universities?

I'm so confused and hurt by this and the lack of action, but I'm so proud of my La Sierra community for waking up, standing up, being involved, and refusing to give up and be silent. I will support this no matter what.

I'm an alumni of La Sierra University and I won't be donating until these demands are met. We must adequately protect and support these survivors, and that needs to be one of LSU's top priorities.

I feel like truths need to be acknowledged. This is not only fair to our tuition dollars, but our safety on the la Sierra campus as well.

As someone who writes about sexual assault and Title IX academically and in public outlets, a message for La Sierra University: the public is watching, scholars are watching, and the media is watching. Sexual assault survivors on your campus deserve justice, your campus needs a full time Title IX coordinator, and your students and alumni demand improved prevention and response strategies.

In this day and age. Why is there still discussion about these issues?? As an alumni im appalled with how la sierra is handling these situations. I hope through this, la sierra can grow and learn and be a safe campus for both men and women.

I can't believe this even needs discussion. 1/3 American women are sexually assaulted during their lifetime. The university's registrants encompass the highest risk age-group. This is not rocket science.

La Sierra Administration: It's time to implement policies that advocate for the victims of sexual assault cases.

Hi La Sierra, I'm with an organization called Man Up Campaign that promotes gender equality and mobilizes men and boys to prevent violence against women and girls. We support these students and faculty in their petition!

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Woman are not objects, not eye candy, not baby machines, not a hole for anyone's pleasure. Woman are beings made in the image of God and should be treated as such.

I believe it's only fair to feel safe at an educational institution, and if this doesn't go through, I'm pretty disappointed.

As an alumni, I can say from experience that the Student Life department has no true care for students, only their image to people with money. If the school does not shape up, they will regret it. If they thought the backlash against the Science Department teacher debacle was bad, they have another thing coming now. We as Adventists should be the nation's leaders in how to best manage sexual assault incidents - especially given the guidelines already supposedly in place in Title IX - and instead they are committing terrible sins by choosing to follow their pockets instead of their Christ. Jesus cares not for their useless words without actions.

Astonished that this is happening at La Sierra.

Let's put an end to sweeping cases like this under the rug