In lieu of the recent article, ""Victim comes forward, reveals shocking story,"" published on March 4th in the Badger Herald regarding the alleged rape at Sigma Chi, the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) received much flak regarding its role in the investigation and its pursuit of action. In many respects, ODOS was accused of belittling the incident and trying to suppress the inception of an investigation into the case.
Bashing the Dean of Students Office did the University a disservice. It dissuaded its readers (fellow Badgers like you and me) from seeking the aid of ODOS in a time of crisis. This criticism achieved the opposite for which it was arguing. It said to the student body that if you have a case of egregious propensity, the Dean of Students Office is not a resource to which you should turn. But I ask, if not the Dean of Students, who should the student seek on or off of campus? Friends, family, or other students? No. While these people can provide the emotional support for the individual, they lack the connections, authority and short-term foresight to amply pursue the best course of action. At the time the incident is presented to them, most are too emotionally involved in the issue to logically press for solutions to the matter.
Instead, one requires individuals who are emotionally disconnected enough from the issue to pursue what is in the best interest of the student, yet does not exceed the extent of action authorized by the student. For students of this university, this particular resource is the Office of the Dean of Students. Contrary to the depiction of the Dean of Students Office portrayed by its critics in light of this event, ODOS is always there to provide support to those students who seek it. Like most things at this large university, you must be proactive and seek specific aid when you need it. If you are lucky, the help sometimes finds you. In this case and other cases of egregious propensity, ODOS works to the best of its capacity to discover the victim, consoling them and taking action as far as the victim wishes.
However, ODOS cannot pursue that which the victim does not want done. This would be unfair to the individual who originally sought ODOS for support in a time of need and could lead to a ""re-victimization"" of that individual.
As for wanting to press charges and start a full investigation, ODOS can only go so far when an individual wishes to remain anonymous. In the United States judicial system, the accused has the right to know the accuser and other witnesses against him/her as outlined in the Sixth Amendment. Therefore, ODOS is limited in its capacity to take action in these specific cases.
I wish not to belittle this current case, but I do implore other students to not abandon the aid of the Dean of Students if they are in need. ODOS is a tremendous resource of authority and guidance that can ensure problems are solved. They are not the enemies in this matter; quite to the contrary, they are the greatest guardians and advocates of student rights.
Sean McMaster is a majoring in biochemistry and mathematics. Please send responses to Cç.
