Clark Palmer
A recent petition is demanding more accountability from Roanoke College officials regarding how they handle sexual misconduct cases. The petition comes after some current and former students accused Dean of Students Brian Chisom, of failing to handle sexual misconduct cases, while Title 9 coordinator, in a proper manner and using a line of questioning based in quote, “ victim blaming and sexism.” In response, College President Michael Maxey has asked for a full review of the allegations cited in the petition.
Read Full Statement from Roanoke College below :
Regarding the Recent Petition to Roanoke College Demanding Accountability for Misconduct Cases —
We have read the recent petition regarding how sexual misconduct investigations are addressed at Roanoke College.
Roanoke College President, Michael Maxey, has asked Dr. Richard Smith, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs, Shirley C. and Donald E. Morel Dean of the College to review the incidents cited in the petition and report back to him.
Dr. Brian Chisom, who is named in the petition, is now Dean of Students. Dean Chisom has ably held several staff roles and made many outstanding contributions to Roanoke College. A reorganization in 2018 placed Ms. Amy Perkins, Assistant Dean of Students, as the College’s Title IX coordinator overseeing sexual misconduct investigations for student claims.
Roanoke College takes this issue and the treatment and respect of every individual student at the College seriously.
Individuals who would like to discuss specific instances of concern should contact Assistant Dean of Students, Amy Perkins at perkins@roanoke.edu.
North Cross School has announced it plans to hold an official graduation ceremony Saturday morning at on Willis Field. While attendees are limited to the Class of 2020 and two guests per student, the event will be live streamed for the faculty, friends and family.
NEWS RELEASE: On Saturday, May 23, North Cross Upper School faculty and staff stood masked in the Willis Hall parking lot ready to cheer on the Class of 2020 in a drive-by parade to celebrate what would have been their graduation day.
“We couldn’t let their graduation day go by without some sort of celebration, but we also realized how monumental it is to walk across the stage and receive that hard-earned diploma, so we remained committed to holding an in-person commencement as soon as the circumstances would allow,” Director of the Upper School Stephen Belderes said.
Now, two months later, North Cross’s Class of 2020 is looking forward to its official graduation ceremony, which will take place Saturday, July 25 at 9:30 a.m. on Willis Field. North Cross’s fifty-seventh commencement will feature speeches from Head of School Dr. Christian J. Proctor; Chair of the Board of Trustees Talfourd H. Kemper, Jr.; Class President Isaac Harris; and Valedictorian Michael Habib. While attendees are limited to the Class of 2020 and two guests per student, the event will be live streamed for the faculty, friends and family to enjoy.
The Student Life Committee kicked off the weekend with a virtual Senior Send-off Sweepstakes game, and the festivities continued on Friday morning with commencement rehearsal for the students.
“I have been more than excited for Saturday. The Sweepstakes really got everyone hyped up since we were seeing each other’s faces on screen and doing something unique. I am most excited to see all my friends one last time before we part ways,” Harris said.
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