Members of the Gustavus Choir Speak Up Against Sexual Violence
Anonymous
Multiple alleged acts of sexual violence committed by a member of the Gustavus Choir have recently been brought to the attention of students and faculty members alike through social media and conversations across campus. As members of the choir, we are writing this letter not to continue drama or speculation, but to show the campus community how some members of the ensemble feel, given the extreme amount of attention that’s been given to such a sensitive topic. It’s important to note that the views expressed in this letter are our own and do not represent the entirety of the choir, music department and its faculty, The Gustavian Weekly, or the college.
A strong community is vital to choir. Students should not be forced to share a classroom with a peer they know has allegedly committed acts of sexual violence. Returning members of the choir make an effort to uphold the community we’ve been a part of, and welcome new members into that community. In the current environment, we can only do so much. We have consistently been proud to be part of this group and uphold the image of Gustavus and the music department. How can we, as members of the choir, tell someone who is new to the group that they should be proud of being in this choir, the same choir as someone who has allegedly committed predatory acts of sexual violence? How can choir continue to be a place we consider a sanctuary?
We want the Gustavus Choir and the entire Gustavus campus to be a safe space for everyone. Being in this ensemble and representing the college is a privilege that we do not take for granted. This comes with the responsibility of upholding an almost 100 year legacy and representing Gustavus values. Having an alleged rapist in the choir is not representative of the values we claim to uphold.
It’s important to recognize that we don’t know what steps survivors are taking in individual cases like this or other cases that are being brought to light at this time. We shouldn’t always assume that nothing is being done by those in leadership positions because there are rightfully many precautions put in place to protect the identities of those involved. There is no way for us to know who knows what information and, although it comes from a place of care, it’s important to not make assumptions about what has been reported or who is informed on an issue. There is understandable speculation about why this person was not removed from the class, but we also want to acknowledge the nuances in the situation and process, and that a situation like this is not simple to address.
To our understanding, even with strong allegations, faculty members are unable to remove someone from a class without due process through the Title IX office. While choir is a class that follows Title IX procedures in accordance with the federal law, we also recognize that our work is not like standard content area classes. We have designated weekly community building time, legacy and traditions, and public performances. Additionally, we are required to travel together as a group, sharing buses and hotels on national and international tours. We ask that administration handle this case accordingly with the unique environment created by our class in mind.
That being said, it’s apparent that survivors of sexual violence have concerns about the way the college is handling Title IX cases. Although we don’t know what the college is doing about this specific issue, we urge the college to listen to survivors in all cases and take the actions those individuals are suggesting, since they have more insight into the process than we do.
Per our syllabus, it is expected that “through concerts, tours, and outreach performances,” the Gustavus Choir contributes “to the College’s mission of service, using music as a catalyst for connection, understanding, and community enrichment.” As representatives of our community, we feel as though it is our responsibility to advocate for survivors of sexual violence. Our repertoire frequently includes songs that advocate for equity and inclusion. Being in choir has taught us that it’s important to use our voice to speak out when given the opportunity, which is our intention with this letter.
Thank you to faculty and staff who have already taken action on issues like these, and have continued supporting student wellbeing. Thank you to members of the student body who are helping to advocate for survivors of sexual violence, and members of our choir who are continuing to provide a safe, welcoming environment despite this challenging situation.
To survivors of sexual violence: You are not alone. We understand the burden you’ve been forced to carry, and we want you to know that we care about you. Whether you have come forward or not, you deserve to have your experience taken seriously. We want you to know that there is a community supporting you and willing to advocate for you.