<p>My son just got accepted ED to W&L University. Today I saw this article in The Roanoke Times about a student who was expelled after what appeared to be a very one sided process (in favor of the accuser.) I am wondering if anyone can say anything about how the school handles these problems, and if Lauren Kozak really is expelling male students after females "regret" having sex with them eight months after it happened?
If so, I am very worried about my son attending the University next year, I know he is a very good kid, but with the fraternity/hook up culture at the school, I obviously do not want to see something like this happen to him!
What are everybody's thoughts?</p>
<p>I spoke with my daugther, sophomore at W&L, about this article. She was not aware of this incident.
Things like this get around a college campus very quickly so I’m somewhat suprised she had no knowledge.</p>
<p>I find it hard to believe that any campus is going to dismiss a student unless there are grounds. College administrators understand the litigeous world we live in. They are not going to toss someone out unless they are very sure they have solid ground to stand upon.</p>
<p>There is no witch hunt at W&L. People do get tossed, but it generally is a function of the honor code. </p>
<p>I saw a quote today that said every story has three sides, yours, mine and the truth. </p>
<p>Like BBDark, my child (son) is a sophomore. I showed him the article and he knew nothing of it. My son does not think this is an issue for him and he is not worried about it. I don’t think you should let it affect your son’s decision to attend. It is not a common occurrence on campus.This is, however, a very big issue and most schools (not just W&L) are paying more attention to it, as they should. Also, you allude to the fraternity/hookup culture – that really exists at most schools.</p>
If you read the complaint the suit has potential merit. A commitment to student rights is not exactly a strong suit of WLU. The rules are generally what the administration wants them to be at any given time, despite their advertising. This ultimately will cost the university a great deal of money. In many ways it is a great and beautiful school in a very strange town. As a parent I would compare with other educational options.
The following represents part of WLU’s defense argument in the sexual assault related law suit. Quoted from case document.
"The facts in this case compel the same result. W&L’s Student Handbook, which incorporates the Interim Sexual Harassment and Misconduct Policy, contains an explicit disclaimer that the Handbook and its policies are not intended to form a binding contract between W&L and its students. On the first page of the Handbook, it states
—in bolded terms—that:
The policies of Washington and Lee University are under
continual examination and revision. This Student Handbook is
not a contract; it merely presents the policies in effect at the time
of publication and in no way guarantees that the policies will not change. (SeeDef.’s Ex. 1).
As a result, the Handbook integrating the Interim Sexual Harassment and
Misconduct Policy does not constitute a valid, enforceable contract under Virginia law."
This is the civil case currently active in Virginia Federal Court which is John Doe vs WLU. It has recently been in the papers. If John Doe wins and he has some high powered attorney’s involved WLU will face some interesting issues.
Why even print the Handbook and Policies if it is not really an agreement with the student (customers) who pay good money. Nuts! Perhaps it is the arrogance of people in the “ivory tower”.
The University seems to have a problem living its own core values of honor and civility. First there was the inflation of application numbers a couple of years ago. Now there is this apparent train wreck of a judicial process which will cost the school a lot of money.
This reminds me of #deflategate, an institution that does whatever it wants. Taking a student and their families money and then saying the “Student Handbook” is not a contract and as a “Private” institution we can do whatever we want is pathetic at best. This is actually in the court filings. This seems to be a pattern at the school. The trustees need to clean house.