Patty Crawford. That name rings a bell for most Baylor University students and alumni. Before Monday, October 3, she was the Title IX Coordinator for Baylor University. Crawford joined Baylor in November 2014 with a role to oversee the investigation and resolution of all sex discrimination matters involving sexual violence (including harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking) and to coordinate Baylor's Title IX training and outreach to the student community.
She decided to resign upon the basis that she was, "disappointed in her role of implementing the recommendations" from the Pepper Hamilton Investigation that occurred earlier this year. The Baylor Board of Regents and former president, Ken Starr, engaged Pepper Hamilton to investigate the procedures and policies related to reported incidents and the appropriate follow up. Baylor's commitment was to implement the plans and procedures provided by Pepper Hamilton, which was Crawford's job as the Title IX Advisor. For those who are not familiar with the topic, the first report occurred after a victim came forward saying that she was raped by a football player while attending Baylor University. Previously, the victim claimed to have come forward to the public she had sent emails to Ken Starr and other high ranking officials telling them her story. Starr disputes it, saying that he has no recollection of these emails.
Up until this last Monday, October 3, we have seen her implement policies, speak at various Baylor events including Welcome Week for all the incoming freshman. Wednesday that all changed, when we saw her on the national morning talk show, "CBS This Morning", and talk about how she wasn't able to do her job. The interview closes with a dialogue that supports that she wants the movie rights and one million dollars. Hearing that, how could you not questions whether her passion is truly for the students that she had vowed to help protect.
You have to wonder how someone so committed a few short weeks ago, is not standing in front of a national audience with an attorney at her side. That took weeks to prepare, and she only resigned Monday?
Do I agree with how Baylor has handled things in regards to the Rape accusations? Personally, as a Baylor student, I do. Baylor has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the culture that has formed and to change the viewpoints. As a student, we are required to take numerous courses and attend various lectures in order to educate students on the situation that occurred and how to address that moving forward.
No University can ever be perfect so the fact that the media is going against Baylor and continuing to advertise it as the biggest Baptist university is disheartening. Baylor is not the only university who has rape cases or Title IX issues, yet they are the only ones who come to the light. Luke 8:17 says this, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." So Baylor is bringing everything to the light, is it all purposeful - most definitely not in some cases - but is it working to continue God's purpose? Absolutely. Our purpose on this Earth is to tell all of His will and purpose and we need to continue to do that. Through it all, we need to remember what makes Baylor University, Baylor University.
Baylor's mission statement is to "educate men and women for worldwide leadership and service by integrating academic excellence and Christian commitment within a caring community." And what that means is that some times, things are going to get messy, but we always need to keep our eyes ahead to the future.
While I am not the most educated and experienced in these matters, I am a Baylor Student. I have seen first hand what Baylor has done to educate us, implement various safety programs, and to shepherd our well being at every opportunity that they have and I will always be proud to say, that I am a Baylor Bear.
