Within the last seven days, two petitions stemming from Longwood University’s decision to reinstate junior basketball player Jason Pimentel collected over 1200 combined signatures between students, alumni, people in the Farmville community and others. In total, equivalent to about 1/4 of the school’s enrollment.
Pimentel was found guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor sexual battery charge Feb. 2 in circuit court before appealing. He returned to the Lancers’ lineup less than two weeks later.
The first amendment of the constitution gives U.S. citizens the right to petition. An act used to express thoughts and feelings about any topic,gain support and attempt to sway change.
One petition, the more demanding one, acquired nearly 1000 signatures alone and requested Pimentel be “dismissed,” though it doesn’t detail what exactly from.
A second petition aimed at policy reform picked up around 300 names as of yesterday, and asked that the university implement a “zero tolerance policy” relating to convictions of sexual misconduct in a court of law and enrollment.
“The difficulty with the situation here at hand is that it’s not a public record inside the institution,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson, speaking on Pimentel’s return, and the school’s disciplinary process. “People are making judgments on what they may ‘think’ happened.”
Though the petitions may have potency in combined numbers, it is very unlikely that the university will dismiss Pimentel after going through the process. With him sitting out thencoming back, it is impossible for policy to be changed immediately as it must go through proper channels.
Pierson informed The Rotunda that any policy change comprises a multi-step process and is affected by a number of things.
“The sexual misconduct policy has changed quite a number of times,” said Pierson. “It’s influenced by the federal government, the department of education, the state and more; there have been a lot of different influences on that.”
According to Pierson, any amendment that involves broad implications usually starts in a department before going to the university’s standards committee chaired by Jen Fraley, director of Student Conduct and Integrity, and the university’s new Title IX Coordinator.
The standards committee involves faculty, staff and students who review the changes and make suggestions.
The policy change then goes to Pierson himself who evaluates it before sending it to the executive counsel,a group that includes each Vice President on Longwood’s campus.
The final step is an analysis and examination from the Longwood University Board of Visitors, who discuss it before it becomes official policy.
Though speaking out might not have an immediate or major impact on decision-making, Pierson believes it does have some influence.
“I would never underestimate the power of free speech, but it shouldn’t dictate a result either,” he said.
“I think if you look at the civil rights movement when there was strong reaction to things—whether you call it a policy, whether you call it a procedure or when there is really strong reaction, it does influence change.”
Pierson said he does expect the topic to be further looked at, but thinks the sexual conduct policy is sound. Specific sanctions on the other hand could be revisited.
“I think it is only reality that this kind of reaction would at least cause someone to pause and say ‘what is this’ and be clear about that,” he said.
“The procedures were followed in every circumstance. I think what people have questioned is certainly the decision for reinstatement and that’s within a department to be able to do that. I don’t know that the procedure in itself will be changed—those are solid,” he added.
Matthew McWilliams, Longwood’s director of Communications and Media Relations commented on the diverse reactions to the sexual conduct conversation at the university.
“Longwood is also a place that fosters and encourages informal discussions among students, faculty and staff on crucial issues,” he said. “As befitting an educational institution that inspires deep devotion and loyalty in so many, there has been robust conversation in this area, and it should continue.”
Moving forward there is no set timetable for official review, though it seems as if campus discussion won’t stop anytime in the near future.
*Note: A change for direct clarification was made in the opening paragraph. "...between students, alumni, people in the Farmville community and others."
