Hi I applied early action to Baylor and have been looking at the school now due to the news. I feel like if I get in I’m going to be scared to go there and just wanted to know other peoples thoughts on the whole situation with the football team and the rape cases.
It is a serious news case but I have a theory I live by that might help you. Whenever something happens like a plane crash or violence at a particular place, I always think that it becomes much safer than if the event never happened. In this case at a University so all authorities, administration and even students are not only on alert but will be putting in additional safeguards to keep everyone safe. Because the incident drew attention to the school, they are “on it” like never before. Are you following me? The fact is, anything can happen at any time. I don’t think you should let this one thing keep you from a school you are seriously interested in.
My older brother has attended Baylor for three years now and the majority of his friends are female. I feel like the campus is safe as any other large university, just be smart, stick with others, and watch after yourself. Yes, the case is absolutely terrible but like the above poster said, the university has taken strides to protect their students following it.
I disagree with those who have reassured you about Baylor. Yes, rapes occur at most every campus in the country. However, Baylor has shown time & time again that they’re not yet taking the rapes seriously. They have threatened & intimidated women who reported rapes & told them they would be disciplined for drinking alcohol…while at the same time protecting rapists (especially if they’re elite athletes). (http://www.wsj.com/articles/baylor-details-horrifying-alleged-sexual-assaults-by-football-players-1477681988). When a woman says No to sex, she means No! Jesus would never shame a rape victim and ask “what were you wearing & drinking?” Other universities like Texas A&M, University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State University have had Safe Walk programs in place for years. At those universities, you can call & get someone to walk you across campus when you’re alone late at night. Baylor is right next to Interstate 35 & near relatively high-crime areas. 5 years ago (before all the publicity about rapes on & near the Baylor campus), Baylor advised incoming students & their parents to be very cautious in Waco. What they didn’t emphasize enough is that on-campus rapes are a HUGE problem. Baylor is still much more concerned about sweeping all the rape allegations under the rug. They need to be fully transparent about the past and apologize to rape victims who were intimidated & shamed. Until Baylor repents & turns from the sins that have been allowed, I’d strongly discourage my children (especially my daughter) from attending Baylor. She is at a public university & very involved in a church and on-campus Bible study. I’m extremely thankful that she decided not to attend Baylor. Regardless of what university you decide to attend, I will caution you like I did my daughter. If you’re even a crime victim (especially of physical violence &/or sexual assault), you MUST report the crime to the local police department (Waco PD)…not just the university PD. Universities are often more interested in protecting their reputations than investigating serious crimes.
I highly recommend that you read the comments on this College Confidential thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1894438-baylor-parents-caught-in-the-middle-of-sending-kids-to-baylor-p3.html