At the start of April, an anonymous confession account targeting the Andrews University student body uploaded an inappropriate image and caption of a female along with supporting posts that sought to target individual students. In reference to this event along with the past actions of other anonymous Instagram accounts, Vice President for Campus & Student Life and Title IX Coordinator, Frances Faehner, released a statement:
“Last week, offensive messages and pictures were posted anonymously on an Instagram account that included harmful, harassing conduct that created a hostile environment for members of our campus community. This deplorable behavior stands in serious violation of the University's Code of Student Conduct and Title IX Policy.
Andrews University made two urgent requests. First, we asked the moderator via the actual Instagram account to take the posting down immediately. Secondly, we formally requested that Instagram fully investigate the sexual bullying and harmful harassment contained in this account. Shortly thereafter, the posting was removed.
The University’s request, posted on Instagram, included the following important statement along with relevant contact information of campus resources that remain available for those who are impacted both now or in the future.
‘Andrews University fully and unequivocally condemns the specific content that targets individuals, including the inclusion of images and screen names consistently accompanied by crude sexual commentary and speculation. We encourage others to report this account, as many already have. If you have information about the person or persons responsible for this account, please contact our Senior Title IX Deputy Coordinator, Dean Alyssa Palmer at alyssap@andrews.edu to discuss next steps and options. If you, or someone you know, has been specifically named and victimized by these posts, we encourage you to reach out to our Counseling & Testing Center or the Center for Faith Engagement for confidential support.’
As we continue to seek the help of our University community to hold anonymous posters accountable, as well as to stop and prevent harmful and egregious conduct, Andrews University remains committed to use every avenue to create a safe and respectful learning community for all of our students and employees.”
If you have experienced any form of digital sexual harassment, the following links can provide resources and support to you:
- Andrews University’s Title IX home page
- PEN America: Online Harassment Field Manual
- Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI): Online Removal Guide
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.