On November 17, the first case of coronavirus was reported in Wuhan, China. The virus began to spread in China and then internationally. A mere four months later, most college campuses in the United States are physically closed. Many states have shut down non-essential businesses. Americans are fearful for their own health, the well-being of their family members, and the state of the economy.
Through all of this, SAVE continues to push forward to end campus “Kangaroo Courts” and to restore fairness and due process. We cannot dissipate the momentum that we have all worked so hard to achieve.
The current untenable situation can be traced back to 2011 when the Department of Education issued its unlawful “Dear Colleague Letter” on campus violence. Campus activists used the new policy to marginalize the criminal justice system and to impose a new regimen of “Peoples’ Justice” that lacked the rudiments of fairness, both to complainants and the accused.
As a result, female students, caught up in a growing moral panic, feared that they would become victims of sexual assault. Male students became fearful of being falsely accused and expelled. Faculty became fearful that a stray comment would be misconstrued as “sexual harassment,” curtailing their career opportunities. College attorneys worried about the expanding climate of litigiousness. And administrators feared loss of federal funding.
Seeking to stop this cycle of fear, the Department of Education rescinded the Dear Colleague Letter and issued proposed new regulations, which are expected to be finalized soon. In response, SAVE is developing a detailed plan to support the implementation of new regulations, including media, legislative, outreach, and regulatory compliance efforts.
SAVE is confident that we will succeed in overcoming fear, both on college campuses and in ending the coronavirus threat. Our best wishes are with you during these uncertain times. We are grateful for your continuing support.
Sincerely,
Ed
E. Everett Bartlett, PhD
President
SAVE: Stop Abusive and Violent Environments
P.O. Box 1221
Rockville, MD 20849
T: 301-801-0608