Speak out for transparency

The new University of Idaho group, Students for Accountability and Safety (SAS), is calling for UI Athletic Director Rob Spear to step down.

This is in response to the athletic department violating both Title IX guidelines and UI policy when handling a sexual assault complaint in April 2013.

In January, Mairin Jameson, a former UI swim and dive athlete, created a Tumblr post describing her assault story and her interactions with UI afterward.

According to an Argonaut report, Jameson reported instances of harassment by wide receiver Jahrie Level to the UI athletic staff and Moscow Police. The athletic department must notify the Dean of Students Office in the case of sexual harassment or violence, but the department failed to do so.

Sarah Solomon, a fourth-year UI student, formed SAS soon after the news broke.

The SAS petition states, “We as a student body demand better from our leaders. This petition seeks the swift removal of Rob Spear as an employee of the university.”

Student voices must be heard. If we turn a blind eye to issues being raised or discredit someone’s opinion simply because they are a student, we are doing ourselves and those around us a disservice.

If students like Solomon hadn’t become involved, the petition might not have taken off.

It has taken far too long for those involved in this case to be held accountable, but students are paving the way for a brighter future, and social media plays a large part.

“Social media is an extremely powerful tool that our generation utilizes as a platform,” Jameson said. “I believe that more students would be aware of their options if this was in place.”

The benefits of social media cannot be overstated. It provides us with more opportunities to connect with others and gives students new ground to stand on.

Just as social interaction and congregation are important, so are the platforms we have directly on campus. ASUI is an important aspect of the university and can be utilized to voice opinions and calls to action.

It is critical to keep the importance of professionalism in mind.

Both ASUI and the administration should treat students with as much professionalism as possible. Students are no different than anyone else advocating for an important cause.

Even if one of these bodies does not agree with a particular student voice, they must still treat them with a certain level of respect and tolerance.

For students, it’s important to never be deterred. It can be difficult and nerve-wracking to speak out against the decisions of those in a position of power.

Students can look to multiple offices and organizations on campus to converse and discuss Title IX, such as the UI Dean of Students Office, the Women’s Center and the Title IX office.

Remember to put that fear aside, stand up for what you believe in. Make your voice heard.

The Argonaut stands behind individuals who speak out against the UI administration when transparency is not a priority.

    — MR