In light of the recent Johnsonian article titled “Winthrop alumnae claim sexual assault investigations involving athletics department were mishandled” by Evan Santiago, concerned students have decided to create a petition to try to address the rape culture at Winthrop University. We believe that real change can only come once Winthrop University has an honest discussion about sexual assault. For this reason, we are demanding that Winthrop University take accountability for their mistakes, listen to our voices, and learn from survivors. We believe that once Winthrop University has acknowledged the role that the school has played in perpetuating rape culture and taken steps to change it by making important personnel and policy changes, we can try to work towards a better, safer campus. This petition is open to anyone who shares our beliefs and wants to work towards creating safer colleges. These are our demands:

1. We demand that the staff member accused in the Johnsonian article be named and fired.

2. We demand that Winthrop University President George Hynd issue a formal apology on behalf of the university to survivors who have been re-traumatized by Winthrop’s apathy and victim blaming. We demand that President Hynd acknowledge the fact that interrogating survivors during sexual assault investigations only shifts blame to the victim and perpetuates rape culture. Furthermore, we demand that this apology include a detailed plan for addressing sexual assault cases in the future and for providing more resources to survivors of sexual assault.

3. We demand that Winthrop University double its funding for the Office of Victims Assistance (OVA) in order to provide better resources for survivors. We also demand that Winthrop University increase the visibility of the OVA across campus and include the OVA at freshman orientation in order to ensure that all incoming students are aware of their Title IX rights and the university’s responsibility to protect them.

4. We demand that all future staff members of the OVA be hired by an advisory committee who specializes in sexual assault. The administration at Winthrop University will play NO role whatsoever in the hiring and firing of staff members at the OVA in order to ensure that student safety and survivors’ rights are prioritized. 

5. We demand that Winthrop University remove Kimberly Faust from her role as Title IX Coordinator and create a Title IX Coordinator role as a separate position. Kimberly Faust’s position as Vice President of Winthrop University creates a clear conflict of interest. These roles must be separated in order for the position to properly serve survivors.

6. We demand that Miranda Knight be fired as Assistant Dean of Students for victim blaming Summer Phillips.

7. We demand that a third party conduct an annual student climate survey that Winthrop University publishes every year alongside the Clery Report in order to give students a better understanding of actual student safety on campus.

8. We demand an a zero-tolerance policy for staff, faculty, students, and student organizations who commit sexual assault or misconduct, and stalking and/or perpetuate rape culture.

9. We also demand a strike system be enacted for athletes and student organizations accused of sexual assault or misconduct, and stalking.

It is our hope that this petition will show Winthrop University that our community is united in our belief that rape culture will not be tolerated on our campus. Thank you so much for all of your support! For the latest information and to find out how you can become involved with this movement, follow us on Instagram @WUStudentsForChange 

Winthrop University can reach out to us at wustudentsforchange@gmail.com. We look forward to the opportunity to work with them to address these concerns and create positive changes on our campus.

Cover photo credits: Student Journalist Evan Santiago