The Eagle’s editorial board is composed of its staff but does not represent every individual staffer’s views. Rather, it provides an insight into how The Eagle, as an editorially independent institution, responds to issues on campus.
On Jan. 30, the Department of Justice released another batch of the Epstein Files. Amid the files in this new release was an unconfirmed accusation that mentioned School of International Service professor Earl Anthony Wayne. The University’s response to this occurrence has left students in the dark. Though American University has no power to investigate these allegations, the Administration owes students transparency.
Following this development, there has been dissent and outrage on campus. On Feb. 6, around 70 students protested outside of the SIS building and American University Student Government passed a resolution to advocate for transparency from the Administration regarding the allegations.
However, official communication from the University has been minimal. Following the protest on Feb. 6, an email was sent to SIS students stating “To date, no information has been found to corroborate the unverified report, and it has been determined that there is no immediate threat to health and safety requiring action under university policies.” There still has been no official communication to the entire American University Community — students in other schools, alumni, parents and guardians.
The lack of information from the Administration is not unique to this instance. American University is consistently ignoring student concerns and demands. In recent years students have expressed outrage about Title IX issues, on-campus housing policies, where and how student organizations are allowed to protest and the suspension of Students for Justice in Palestine. In these instances and many others, student sentiments were met with public silence from the University.
It should also be noted that the University has worked with students in the past, and the outcomes have been mutually beneficial. Last year, the administration took student feedback and perspective into account when evaluating proposals to arm the American University Police Department. Ultimately, the choice not to arm AUPD was achieved through collaboration between students, faculty, AUPD and the administration.
The point here is not to strip Wayne of his right to privacy or condemn him. With the plethora of current attacks on higher education and free speech, it is important that professors receive the support they deserve. But, protecting professors does not inherently have to come at the behest of limiting students’ access to information or freedom of expression.
The official University communication about the occurrence was only sent to SIS students, leaving out a sizable portion of the University community. Additionally, this issue was not formally addressed until a week after the allegations were made public. Students are owed transparency in this matter and delaying this key information is unfair.
These allegations relate to sex crimes, which is a topic that can be triggering to many. For a school that claims to prioritize Title IX protections — with programs like Empower AU being focal points of first-year orientation — there has been a lack of acknowledgement of survivors on campus and how they have been impacted by this development.
Further, the University’s lack of acknowledgement of student perspectives and demands is a stark contrast to the pedestal the university places civic engagement on. The political activeness of American University students is often marketed as a key feature of the school; yet, when students engage politically in opposition to the University, they are met with inaction or repercussions.
These allegations paint American University in a negative light and could impact the school financially. Following their release, negative statements about the University have proliferated on social media. For a school that is already operating in a deficit, it is in the best interest of the entire community that the administration takes steps to address this issue so as to not further harm the reputation of the school, its students, faculty and alumni.
Despite American University’s history of overlooking student concerns, we are still open to working with the administration on this issue and many others. The continual action of the student body proves that. Though students are frustrated, angered and even scared, we are not opposed to working with administration.
As attacks are continually launched on higher education, students, faculty, staff and administrators must work together. As with any group, disagreements are inevitable. However, we must allow for constructive collaboration and truly listen to one another if we are to stand strong as an institution.
To the students reading this, though this situation is less than ideal, it gives us an opportunity to work with administration and stop the cyclical loop happening any time there is a controversy or disagreement between students and admin here at American University. We must find increasingly creative and obstructive ways to force administrators to pay attention to us.
To the professors reading this, we want to hear your opinions! In-class dialogues and open and honest discussions are beneficial to students. Professors are here to help us students deepen and broaden our viewpoints on both in-class topics and real-world concerns. Help us navigate this confusing time at the University and in higher education as a whole.
Finally, to the administration, we want to work together on this issue and future developments. Please hear student and faculty voices and take our perspectives into consideration. As a school that claims to foster future changemakers and leaders, allow us to lead.
This piece was written by Addie DiPaolo and edited by Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Arin Burrell and Paige Caron. Fact-checking done by Andrew Kummeth.
