Students Storm Faculty Meeting as Part of Protest Against Sexual Assault on Campus

As journalists, we use the word ‘alleged’ to describe all accusations that do not have convictions attached to them. We do not use the word to diminish the experience of survivors. We believe you. 

Many quotes in this article are anonymous—students spoke about very personal and traumatizing experiences and we want to protect the privacy and safety of those brave enough to speak out. 

Some TKS staff, including EIC Ellen Miller-Garrett were involved in the protests. None of the staff who actively participated in the incitement, execution, or aftermath of the protest were involved in the reporting of the events.

Content Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault and racism.

Students and and faculty streamed out of Alumni Hall around 7 p.m. that night.

The crowd had been in the Trustees Room for almost two hours on Monday, March 6, after a large crowd of students interrupted the faculty meeting in order to express their opposition to the lack of action from the administration regarding sexual assault at Knox College

The protest started three hours earlier on the lawn outside of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity house. TKE drew criticism across the campus after their ‘Delusions’ party this past Friday.

TKE held their registered party ‘Delusions’ on Friday, March 3, at which organizers created a ‘YikYak wall’ containing printed posts of users attacking the fraternity through the anonymous social media application ‘YikYak’. These posters included sexual assault accusations made against TKE’s members, that in the context of theme, appeared to be calling the accusations and accusers delusional.

TKE denied that this was the intent of the party theme.

When asked for a response to these events, TKE president Justin Garcia had this to say:

“Regarding the YikYak wall, we are deeply apologetic for the harm that it caused to anyone who viewed it. We wished to post an apology to our official Instagram page, but we no longer have access to it at this time. So if this apology could be broadcast to the rest of campus that would be lovely.

We take SA very seriously and by no means were we trying to ridicule or make fun of anyone who has experienced SA. Our intention was to let the Knox campus know that we hear and see the comments and accusations against us and are actively working on improving with those comments in mind. This obviously was not the message that was received by the general body. The message and the perception are often not the same, therefore, regardless of our intention the onus is on us to understand the student body and create a space that is comfortable and safe for them should we want to invite them to our house. 

We are glad that people are voicing themselves and are wanting change, we want to change as well. Here is an anonymous report form where anyone can give concerns, critiques, and complaints that can be directly shown to the members of TKE for further discussion on the path to improving ourselves and our organization. 

That being said, I would like to acknowledge that several people were harmed during the protest from being pushed over by the protestors. Several more experienced bad sensory reactions and mental health issues because of the protest. The safety of others, related to TKE or not, should not have to be jeopardized to practice your right to protest. Again, we want you to be heard, but in a safe way.”

It was also reported by students who attended the party that the ID inspection—a process that requires Knox students to show IDs in order to enter the party—was lenient. Therefore, high school students, who wore ski masks and appeared to be inebriated, were able to join in the event, according to some reports.

“The high schoolers were wearing ski masks. We don’t even know what they looked like. One was walking around playing with himself walking back and forth,” senior Isaiah Simon said.

YikYak, Snapchat stories, and word of mouth quickly spread the details about the event across campus. Students took to YikYak once again, further criticizing the members of the fraternity and the choice of the term ‘delusional’ to refer to sexual assault allegations.

“Upvote if you agree that Tke sucks and that any problematic frat members from any frat on campus should be kicked out of said fraternity.” —Mar. 6 (44 upvotes)

“You heard it here first! Tkes will SA you, throw a party calling you delusional, then get annoyed when you’re upset!” —-Mar. 6 (36 upvotes)

“SA IS NOT A JOKE. SURVIVORS ARE NOT DELUSIONAL!” —Mar. 6 (34 upvotes)

The Instagram of Knox’s Students Against Sexism in Society, or @knox.sass, denounced the actions taken by TKE on the night of March 3 in an Instagram post on the morning of March 6.

“After learning of the ‘Yak Wall’ posted at the Tau Kappa Epsilon registered party on March 3rd, we would like to denounce the actions taken by the fraternity on that night. We declare this wall to be damaging and insensitive to survivors of sexual assault. We here at Students Against Sexism in Society will work to repair the harm and distrust TKE has caused. We call for TKE to publicly apologize for the wall and take action to improve the caliber of their organization. To any survivors affected by these actions, we support you. We believe you.“

Then, someone on YikYak announced the planned protest at 4 p.m.Monday, outside the TKE house.

Posters also appeared around campus, advertising the protest and detailing allegations against TKE. It is unclear who made the original poster, but some students like junior Angelica Debenedictis took one and made copies, posting them all over campus.

Some Yaks claimed that Assistant Director for Campus Life Amanda Dermer was seen taking down posters announcing the protest.

“Any posters removed by staff regarding the protest were only removed if they named other specific community members by name.” said Dermer in response. “We received several reports about what transpired during the event and are taking steps to address them. All fraternities and other organizations are expected to adhere to College policies and when that doesn’t happen, the College investigates. The alleged behaviors stand in contrast to the College’s values and Fraternity/Sorority Life (FSL) community values and expectations, and I will continue to work with FSL leaders to ensure incidents like this do not happen in the future.”

The protest started small, with about 20 students chanting “Fuck TKE” at the front of the house. Some students brought signs with slogans such as “Survivors aren’t delusional,” “Ban TKE,” and “Support Survivors.”

“As a member of the Knox college community and a member of the FSL community it is important for me to stand up against behavior that I think is inappropriate and harmful to the people on our campus,” junior Quinn Norton said.

Students moved to the back of the house in an attempt to reach members of TKE that may have been in their bedrooms. “Hey, hey, ho ho, TKE has got to go”  and “Survivors aren’t delusional” were chanted as the crowd grew to be almost 80 students.

“I don’t think TKE is what represents Knox and Knox students,” junior Chanice Dudley said. “They are ruining the community by openly creating an unsafe space.”

Many students used terms like “long-standing pattern” to describe the alleged assaults of TKE.

“The administration isn’t doing shit about it,” sophomore Delia Lonnroth said.

The protesters lobbed toilet paper and climbed onto TKE’s porch, stomping and knocking loudly, asking the TKE members to come out and address them. Protesters rallied around junior Angelica Debenedictis and senior Sage Lundquist who gave short speeches to energize the crowd. As members of TKE continued not to show their faces, the chants turned to “Cowards” and “TKE come out.”

Soon, the protesters began to switch focus, asking  “Where’s Amanda [Dermer]?” and “Where’s Kim Schrader [Knox’s Title IX Coordinator]?”

When asked for her response to the protesters asks Schrader responded with this statement:

“I serve as the College’s Title IX coordinator in a complex role that includes the administration of the College’s Investigation and Resolution Procedures for Allegations of Title IX Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and for coordinating response to incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual violence as defined by the Knox Policy Against Title IX Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. I am also responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with Title IX regulations. In addition I support members of the campus community in help-seeking and reporting, educational initiatives, environmental and culture-change strategies, enforcement and accountability.”

Protestors were not acknowledged by TKE members and soon moved the protest to the Campus Life office around 4:30 p.m. to ask the staff to respond to their demands.

The chants shifted to “Ban TKE,” “Campus Life do your jobs,” and demanding staff members to respond as the ever-growing protest filled the lobby of Seymour Union.

Students continued to chant, “What do we want?” “Answers” “When do we want them? Now.”

They clapped their hands and banged on walls and doors.

When this still received no response from those in the Campus Life Office, the protesters decided to sit until someone came to listen and give answers.

Assistant Dean of Campus Life Jacob McLean was in his office during the protest.

“I was in my office on Monday afternoon,” he said. “It was our understanding that the protest was happening at the TKE house and my team was not available to attend. I was attending to some student questions in my office and was not available to address the crowd that gathered at the Campus Life office. I plan to attend the forum this evening in the Gizmo ahead of midnight breakfast. If any students wish to talk, I’d also be happy to schedule some time to do so.”

Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Deb Southern entered the lobby and offered to open up Ferris Lounge for students to discuss what they wanted. “No” was the resounding response to this offer.

“We will hold our ground,” said one student.

Southern tried to contact Vice President for Student Development Dr. MarQuita Barker to address the protesters, but received no response.

Dr. Barker, and the President of the College Andy McGadney were in the monthly faculty meeting.

So nearly 90 students then went to Alumni Hall, lining the walls of the Trustees Room to address the faculty and administration.

Students took turns speaking and sharing their frustrations.

“The fact that the campus life workers just hid in the office and refused to address us (the students) as a group it’s just disrespectful,” said one student.

“Sexual assault is violence. We are not being violent and [the Campus Life employees] are afraid of us,” said another.

Students accused staff of not taking action on the TKE issue and other issues of discrimination on campus.

They also expressed complaints about the Title IX process at Knox being ineffective.

McGadney responded to the accusations by thanking those present and urging victims of sexual assault to report their experiences in the report form offered on the Title IX section of Knox’s website.

“I want to make sure you recognize that we are listening. We never left. I want you to recognize that we stayed here to make sure we all listened to what you had to say. Thank you for coming in and sharing your experiences. One of the things that I try to keep is to have institutional grace. I hear the concerns and complaints and we do try to meet with you all. The reason we want the report is to have a record. If we have a record we can respond to those things. I want this campus to be safe. We care. My door is open if you want to talk. I do not want to walk away from things, but how am I supposed to do things if you don’t share what happened?”

“There have been reports. There has been a plethora of reports. I remember telling you about the racist issues that have been happening. I was very transparent. None of this is new. Let’s be honest about the situation. Say Knox is wrong! These things are being reported!” Simon said.

Some students said they have filled out Bias Report Forms and received no response. Others shared that the forms were hard to find on the Knox website.

“You say that we can report it but the truth is that your reports are not accessible. Until now I have not found whatever link they say there is to report racism on this campus. I have scrolled on my.knox for hours, I have looked through senate minutes, and I have not found one single clue. [..] I feel like I am yelling into an abyss and no one is answering me,” first-year Precious Odejimi said.

“Let’s be clear and recognize that no college is perfect. Knox is not perfect. I am not perfect. I make mistakes,” replied President McGadney. “I should have come to meet with you all last week when I first heard about it. I will lean in more. You’ve got to recognize that I would not be standing here if I didn’t care. We love you and we’ll continue to work harder.”

Other students accused the College of caring more about donor money than the safety of their students.

“TKE has been known as the ‘Rape Frat’ since I was a freshman. And I am graduating now. I know that we have many TKE alumni that finance the school, but at what point will your student’s safety become more important than the money?” Sage Lundquist said.

Some students were in favor of eliminating fraternities entirely at Knox College.

“What is so special apparently about a fraternity that a cultural organization does not do?” one student asked McGadney.

“I wouldn’t say it’s ‘special.’ It is just, for some, a place they can find what they are looking for on campus,”  McGadney responded.

According to the students, what they are currently looking for on campus is safety.

Simon and Debenedictis mentioned declining enrollment, blaming the toxic culture on campus as the reason that students are leaving.

Some faculty left as the protest continued past 6 pm, and then 6:30 pm. But many stayed to hear the stories and needs of their students.

“This is a cultural problem, and it starts with y’all,” Simon said, addressing the faculty directly.

“If you guys want students, you better keep us safe. We all came here because we love Knox, and we need to see you stand up for what Knox is, are you going to do that?” DeBenedictis said.

“I will,” Visiting Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Mary Lyons said, standing to show her support. Slightly over half the professors in the room stood after her in solidarity with the protestors.

The protest ended after about three hours, once students had shared all their comments. McGadney expressed his approval of the movement and promised an investigation of the sexual assault cases involving fraternity members.

“I am in favor of student protest. I am in favor of students using their voices. But I’ll have to tell you to fill out the forms so we can investigate and hold people accountable. Let me be clear about my actions. We will investigate it, figure it out and we’ll act on that,” McGadney said.

The day after the event, faculty and departments began sending out statements to students, offering spaces to talk safely and reaffirming their commitment to supporting student safety.

Students created a document listing the next steps to keep the momentum of the protest moving. They list who to email about complaints, links to report forms, links to TKE Risk Management Guidelines, and the Knox College Title IX and Alcohol policies. .

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article omitted a part of the TKE President’s statement. This has been rectified. 3/8/23

UPDATE: Amanda Dermer, Kim Schrader, and Jacob McLean all sent in responses to requests to comment, they have been added to the piece. 3/8/23