Delaware State drops campus safety coalition NDAs amid pressure: 'We went too far'
Delaware State University is rolling back its confidentiality agreements to participate in the Safe Space Coalition addressing concerns of campus safety and the handling of sexual assault cases.
The decision comes in the wake of new reporting from Delaware Online/The News Journal highlighting these agreements earlier this week, as well as an editorial from this news organization published Thursday that called for DSU President Tony Allen to drop the requirement.
"Simply put: On the confidentiality agreements, we went too far," penned Allen to his university community Friday afternoon. Allen took responsibility for the measure, echoing Delaware State's initial reasoning concerning the protection of sensitive information.
"But FIRE — the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression — and others, including the press, are also correct that we could have better tailored our message," Allen wrote. "Our intention was to honor and respect survivors’ privacy; we never intended to silence debate or comment."
Shortly after Delaware Online/The News Journal reported about these agreements, FIRE and ACLU-DE wrote to the Dover institution. Both organizations condemned the documents signed by over 100 members across the coalition and nine steering committees, citing the condition "plainly violates" student rights.
The Safe Space Coalition, central to Allen's continued response to campus unrest this year, formed in late January to assess existing protocol on safety, sexual violence, response services and more. Over 100 students, parents, community members and employees form the coalition across nine committees.
Allen said students deserve to know the process will be "clear and transparent."
Now, he continued, "the onus of ensuring that sensitive material is handled correctly falls on the leaders I have assigned to these working groups, who will need to build an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect with their student collaborators."
Delaware State's response comes just about two months from the first protest that rocked the campus. Amid heightened reports on campus, student organizers have repeatedly called on their school to “fortify the integrity” of its Title IX process — increasing trust and transparency, while treating sexual assault cases as more time-sensitive — as well as boost security, escort services, counselors for students and facility improvements to building security and water.
The Dover institution insists it's on the road to change. Some committees have met once so far for introductions, according to several students — but a big announcement came this month.
FIRE, ACLU-DE write to DSU:Delaware State makes students sign NDAs to work on new coalition for campus safety
Exposing student concerns:Delaware State makes students sign NDAs to work on new coalition for campus safety
The historically Black university’s coalition was awarded a $300,000 grant to assist in developing its sexual assault response and prevention program over two years. The "Safe Space Project” will be housed at DSU Downtown, Delaware State announced March 6. The university also committed to continuing its funding after these two years.
Like several measures Allen has announced, it joins promises to upgrade campus lighting and cameras, update the blue lights system, garner body cameras for university police and assess existing escort services and counseling hours.
This coalition is tasked with monthly reporting, as Allen reiterated in his letter. Also, the university announced a planned "Safe Space Conference" to discuss sexual assault awareness and education, open to the public on April 25.
"The leaders I admire own up to their mistakes and fix them," Allen said in closing. "That’s who I aspire to be, and the example I want to set for our students and our community. I know we won’t be right all the time, but we’re still leaning in."
Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Delaware State drops student NDAs for new campus safety coalition
