The Women and Gender Studies’ staff has been quiet this year with regard to the ongoing discussion about its program and issues surrounding feminism (with one exception, at the beginning of the school year). However, Matt Frohlich’s last opinion requires a response. Although there are many reasons as to why the two studies he cites vary so much in regard to campus sexual assault statistics (including study methodology and significant underreporting of sexual assault), I’m not going to attempt that explanation, because I’m sure those explanations will be ignored.

Instead, today I want to focus on what I perceive is his overall message: that campus sexual assault is no big deal. If we take the statistic he cited (3.7% of college-enrolled females report getting raped or sexually assaulted), that means 201 female students will have this devastating experience while here at NDSU. These women, plus men, and the many who have chosen not to report deserve more respect.

Ann Burnett

Director of Women and Gender Studies