Sexual Violence and Jesuit Universities
Religious studies conversation prompts discussion of Jesuit values, Greek life and the university’s role in preventing campus sexual assault
Over thirty students gathered on Oct. 19 for a moderated discussion about sexual violence and Jesuit values, during which they raised concerns about the administration’s commitment to preventing sexual violence — specifically within the Greek life community.
The event was co-sponsored by the religious studies department and Campus Ministry and took place on the lawn behind the Mission Church. It drew a particularly large crowd compared to previous religious studies conversations, according to co-host Karen Peterson-Iyer.
The topic of conversation, “Sexual Violence & Jesuit Universities,” was prompted by a recent increase in sexual assault allegations, which were reported to Santa Clara Greek life leaders in alarming numbers during the first week of the quarter.
The dialogue began with short introductory lectures by two religious studies professors. Professor Peterson-Iyer, an expert in sexual ethics, spoke about the harmful intersection of campus hookup culture with rape culture.
“Disconnection of sexual activity from caring is so characteristic of some aspects of hookup culture where [people feel that they] are really not supposed to care, or even maybe acknowledge that person the next day,” Peterson-Iyer said. “That's a really problematic attitude in my mind.”
Peterson-Iyer continued, “So, sex becomes this kind of market transaction, and if sex is a market transaction, then power is going impact it the same way power impacts any market transaction, because it does in our world. The most obvious is a disregard of consent.”
Co-host and professor of religious studies Paul Schutz explained how the Jesuit vision invites us to challenge such cultures that enable sexual violence.
“Cura personalis challenges us to ask, what would it look like for us to live in a world where people care authentically and fully for each other as whole persons in the context of sex?” Schutz said. “I would say, cura personalis means an end to sexual violence.”
During the open Q&A, the conversation pivoted to a discussion about institutional accountability when multiple students questioned whether Santa Clara’s detachment from off-campus Greek life allows university leadership to adequately respond to sexual violence within the community.
“I see a couple administration members here tonight, and words that come to mind when I think about [the separation of Greek life from the university] are negligence, and kind of a lack of accountability from the administration,” senior Will Gagan said.
Gagan continued, “I think being committed to this notion of cura personalis means that everyone — whether it be first-year students or people all the way up in the administration — need to be having these conversations.”
Gagan is a member of an off-campus social fraternity and a student ambassador at Santa Clara.
One student said, “thank you for bringing a forum where we can talk about Greek life, even though it isn’t affiliated with the university.”
Another student spoke about the importance of having these conversations, but asked the speakers and attendees what they thought the responsibility of faculty, staff and administrators is in preventing sexual abuse.
Vice President for Mission and Ministry Alison M. Benders, who was one of two members of the administration present at the event, spoke next. She acknowledged students’ calls for action, but said she is wary of a top-down approach.
"I’m not sure the situation is ripe for action yet,” Benders said. “I worry that if something comes from the top down without full consultation, it doesn’t respect the dignity or autonomy of those affected.”
Gagan responded, acknowledging the “tension between systemic change coming from the top versus the bottom.” According to Gagan, the university and Greek life as a whole would benefit from a greater level of interconnectedness.
“There is so much separation between Greek life and the university,” he said. “For example, as Orientation Leaders, we weren’t supposed to talk about Greek life with incoming first-years, but at the end of the day, Greek organizations are aligned with Jesuit values… this idea of fraternal and sororal love is integral to what Santa Clara is trying to build. Bringing these communities into the Jesuit vision for the world would be beneficial.”
Gagan continued, “I’m the risk manager of my fraternity, and it’s been really hard. I’ve personally hit the end of my rope and don’t know where to go next.”
Schutz echoed Gagan’s comment, posing the question, “What would Greek life look like if it were fully engaged with Jesuit values?”
As the event came to a close, Peterson-Iyer encouraged attendees to think about how they can cultivate change within the Santa Clara community.
"This campus belongs to all of us, and it's up to us to create the culture we want,” she said. “We as a campus have the tools to enact that."
Photo courtesy of Andrew Hanson-Quintana, Campus Minister and Director of Santa Clara’s Spiritual Life Community