22 August 2006
Dear Alumni and Friends,
In my inaugural address, I said that respect for one’s self and for others is an essential quality for those at The Citadel. This fall the college is expanding efforts to prepare principled leaders through a new Values and Respect Program that addresses issues that are challenges for colleges nationwide.
At the center of this program is a focus on honor, alcohol and drug abuse, sexual harassment and assault, human dignity and leadership development. If we are to be true to our core values – academics, honor, duty, discipline, morality and diversity – we must act to ensure that behavior that is at odds with our values is not tolerated at any level.
Since I arrived in January, I have taken a detailed look at all aspects of the college. As I reviewed internal reports and talked with cadets and staff in the counseling center and elsewhere, I concluded that The Citadel needed to find out how well the attitudes and behaviors of cadets aligned with our mission and core values.
Last spring the college administered a survey that questioned cadets about climate, values, sexual harassment and assault, and other leadership challenges. The survey, a Citadel version of the Department of Defense survey on sexual harassment and sexual assault, asked cadets about experiences during their Citadel careers and included the period from 2001-2002 through 2005-2006.
Our results, which will soon be posted on The Citadel’s website, indicate we have issues that must be addressed. Though some of the information may be disturbing, we will not be able to make the necessary changes unless we first acknowledge our problems and discuss them openly and honestly.
I want to emphasize that The Citadel has specific policies and programs aimed at preventing alcohol and drug abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault. Despite that, many of our cadets – both men and women - have indicated through our survey that they have been victims of sexual harassment and assault while a cadet. Most of these alleged incidents are not being reported to college authorities. Other data from alcohol surveys in 2004 and alcohol-related incidents in the Corps indicate that many cadets are abusing alcohol on a regular basis.
It is important, however, that you not draw conclusions about the vast majority of our honorable cadets who have no part in the alleged incidents. It is also important to remember that such behavior occurs on college campuses everywhere, but that does not make it right.
Some may question the wisdom of releasing such negative information. Looking in the mirror is never easy. Yet change requires honesty and honesty requires courage. The Citadel is exercising the leadership necessary to address these issues head-on.
I have briefed the faculty and staff and the Board of Visitors. They are committed to our Values and Respect Program, and you, as alumni and friends of the college, are an important part of this effort as well.
Your support in reinforcing the basic principle that all people deserve respect is essential. We also need your support in discouraging underage drinking and excessive consumption of alcohol for those over the age of 21. And, we need you to stand up and speak out against any behavior at odds with The Citadel’s core values as you would in your workplace or home.
Developing a culture of respect requires that we first take a hard look at our challenges, uncomfortable as that might be. Our goal is to create a climate that instills integrity, respect for oneself and others, and the willingness to be accountable for one’s actions. The Values and Respect Program encourages behavior that unites rather than divides us. We must have your support in this critical endeavor. The quality of our beloved institution is at stake.
