Since 1916
Volume 99, Number 24
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
www.marquettewire.org
Sexual assualts on rise
Reported sexual misconduct this semester surpasses last year total
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Editorial
Class incident stories get out of hand, harm image PAGE 10
2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 SPJ Award-Winning Newspaper
Marquette makes NCAAs Volleyball team earns at-large bid to NCAA Tournament and faces Illinois State Sunday
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Westboro church to picket MU Baptists to arrive on campus to protest classroom incident By Natalie Wickman
natalie.wickman@marquette.edu
The university announced Monday that it will review a widely publicized incident regarding a disagreement between a student and an instructor about homosexuality, a day after the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket campus in response. When asked about the review, University Spokesman Brian Dorrington responded on behalf of Richard Holz, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “Marquette University is reviewing both a concern raised by a student and a concern raised by a faculty member,” Dorrington said in an email. “We are taking appropriate steps to make sure that everyone involved is heard and treated fairly. In compliance with state and federal privacy laws, we will not publicly share details, including the results of the reviews.” The disagreement was first reported Nov. 9 on political science professor John McAdams’ blog, Marquette Warrior, before it was picked up nationally. It occurred between philosophy doctoral student Cheryl Abbate and an unidentified student, who reported the incident to McAdams. McAdams said he was told about the investigation at a meeting with Holz before Thanksgiving break. In the meeting, McAdams said Holz was not clear who was being investigated. However, McAdams concluded that he would be involved in the investigation, even though it was not explicitly stated.
MU releases statement on Cosby allegations By Julia Pagliarulo
julia.pagliarulo@marquette.edu
The incident occurred when Abbate’s Theory of Ethics class discussed philosopher John Rawls’s equal liberty principle, which states that each person has an equal right to the most
extensive liberties compatible with similar liberties for all and possible violations of it. “When one student suggested that a ban on gay marriage violated the principle, Abbate quickly moved on to the next topic, as there were more nuanced examples to discuss before the end of class,” according to an article from Inside Higher Education. Another student approached Abbate after that class and said he was “very disappoint-
ed” and “personally offended” that she had not considered his classmate’s example about gay marriage, according to the student’s recording of the conversation, which Insider Higher Education obtained. “The student said he had seen data suggesting that children of gay parents ‘do a lot worse in life,’ and that the topic merited more conversation,” according to Inside Higher Education. Abbate disagreed, according to the student’s recording, and
the conversation ended with the student saying “it’s still wrong for the teacher of a class to completely discredit one person’s opinion when they may have different opinions” and that it is the student’s “right as an American citizen” to challenge the idea. Abbate said the student didn’t “have the right, especially (in an ethics class,) to make homophobic comments or racist comments,” according
Marquette released a statement regarding sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby, which resulted in the comedian — who spoke at Marquette’s 2013 commencement — resigning from Temple University’s Board of Trustees Monday afternoon. “Marquette University hosted Bill Cosby a few years ago for breaking down racial barriers and for his dedication to education,” said university spokesman Brian Dorrington in an email. “At that time, several well-known universities across the country hosted him during Commencement ceremonies for similar reasons.” Dorrington did not mention the honorary doctor of letters degree granted to Cosby during the commencement, although a number of schools have cut ties with Cosby in recent weeks. “Whenever we decide to host a commencement speaker, we consider several aspects including the speaker’s credentials and accomplishments,” Dorrington said. Sixteen women have now publicly stated that Cosby sexually assaulted them, with 12 saying he drugged them first and another saying he attempted to drug her, according to a Washington Post article. Cosby faced allegations for several years prior to his Marquette commencement speech, but the university still opted to have him speak. Robert Masson, chair of the theology department and a member of the all-university committee responsible for selecting the commencement speaker, did not have anything to say about the situation other than noting that it is a very dismaying situation regardless of future outcomes. Andrea Constand, director of operations for the women’s basketball team at Temple
See Westboro, Page 3
See Cosby, Page 4
INDEX
NEWS
MARQUEE
OPINIONS
BACKGROUND ON THE INCIDENT
CALENDAR...........................................2 DPS REPORTS.....................................2 CLASSIFIEDS......................................5 MARQUEE............................................6 OPINIONS........................................8 SPORTS...........................................10
Photo via Westboro Baptist Church
A member of the Westboro Baptist Church flashes a sign during a protest in Washington D.C. The church announced it will picket on campus following a disgreement between a student and instructor on gay marriage.
SOF amendments pass
MU faces its own issues with race and safety in light of Ferguson.
Marquette Student Government passed nine proposals for funding.
MU recognizes AIDS day
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MU improves in Orlando
Golden Eagles scrap their way to third place in weekend tournament
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Marquette’s Medical Clinic will offer free HIV testing this week.
SPORTS
Patel: Race and DPS at MU
MKE Hot Chocolate Hop
Forget Starbucks! Check out these local hot cocoa hot spots this winter. PAGE 8
Gonzalez: MKE businesses
Consider shopping local for holiday gifts to spread joy to entrepreneurs. PAGE 11
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