June 13, 2021

Statement in Support of ODU Survivors of Sexual Misconduct, Assault, and Harassment

As members of the Old Dominion University community, we write to express our alarm about ODU’s handling of sexual assault and harassment allegations, especially its statement attacking the credibility of our colleague, Dr. Bridget Anderson. We, as faculty, students, and staff, wish the public to know that the official statement released by ODU does not represent the beliefs of the community. We therefore also write to express our support of Dr. Anderson and our other students and colleagues who have been failed by the institution in its response to sexual violence.

On June 10, 2021, The Virginian Pilot published a story about Blake Bailey (see link to article at bottom), a nationally disgraced former creative writing professor, and his predatory behavior at Old Dominion. In the response to the investigation, John M. Bredehoft from the firm Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. wrote ODU’s official response to Dr. Anderson’s and the other women’s stories. We address the issues of ODU’s current official statement in response to the allegations, below:

*The statement describes an incident of sexual assault as “consensual” and even “sought-after” by Dr. Anderson. The statement does not provide any evidence to how it can definitively claim the encounter was consensual or sought after. This description places the blame on Dr. Anderson for the assault and calls her credibility into question by suggesting that she is the sexual aggressor in the story. The statement fully deploys the “she-asked-for-it” trope of victim blaming; it is difficult to imagine how anyone at ODU will feel comfortable coming forward in the future.

*In the article, Elizabeth Argento explains how Bailey touched her, flirted with her, probed her for details on her sex life, and sat suggestively in a private meeting in his office. The statement dismisses Ms. Argento’s claims as “denigrat[ing] and delimit[ing] the critical social problem of sexual abuse.” Ms. Argento’s story does not denigrate or delimit sexual abuse; rather, it shines light on how faculty can abuse their power to groom students for sexual predation in both subtle and overt ways. The statement suggests that crossing boundaries physically and professionally with graduate students is permissible as long as there is no concrete assault or recorded sexually explicit correspondence, which is a problematic and dangerous stance to take.

*The statement describes Dr. Anderson, a woman with a minoritized accent, as “complaining loudly and at length on a number of topics.” We are aghast that the university would so casually frame Dr. Anderson as a nagging woman, a stereotype used again and again to dismiss women who bravely come forward with legitimate complaints of misconduct.

*The statement casts doubt on Dr. Anderson’s account by noting that the assault occurred years ago, stating, “it beggars belief that an attempted rape of a faculty member by another faculty member would remain unreported for more than half a decade.” First, Dr. Anderson did report the assault to her department chair in Spring 2010, just days after the assault occurred. Second, this sentence beggars belief that qualified legal professionals could write such a sentence in 2021. National stories about serial abusers like Jerry Sandusky, Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston have forced us to recognize that powerful men are capable of sexual violence and that institutions are capable of silencing survivors for years and even decades to protect the abusers. Time lapsed between the assault and the public reckoning is not an indication of its believability. The statement authors’ lack of understanding of this is an additional indication of their obtuseness and the ineptitude of legal dissimulation in light of the gravity of sexual assault and victim-blaming.  

*The statement identifies other faculty members with PhDs using their title (Dean Wilson) or honorific (Dr. Heller) while neglecting to use the honorific Dr. for Dr. Anderson, a celebrated scholar and teacher. We believe victims of sexual assault regardless of their educational achievements or titles. That said, we see the decision to use titles for other members of the department and not Dr. Anderson as a disrespectful and cheap attempt to further undercut Dr. Anderson’s credibility.

In response to several women’s accusations of sexual misconduct, the statement went out of its way to discredit and even insult the women, using centuries-old tropes designed to silence women. We imagine that ODU community members, especially those in more vulnerable positions, such as graduate assistants, students, adjunct instructors, non-tenure-track faculty, and staff, will be even more reluctant to report other instances of sexual misconduct at ODU. Still, despite the attacks on the credibility and character of our friends and colleagues and fear of retaliation from our institution, we refuse to be silent.

We the undersigned are in solidarity with Bridget Anderson, Liz Argento, Tara Burke, Valerie Clark, and the unnamed women in the investigation. We believe survivors.

We want to work at an institution that prioritizes safety, honors survivor stories, and investigates accusations thoroughly and ethically. Therefore, we demand that ODU leadership:

1. issue an apology to Dr. Anderson, Liz Agento, and the unnamed women who were disparaged by ODU’s official statement published in the Virginian Pilot on June 10, 2021

2. terminate the university's partnership with the firm Kaufman & Canoles, P.C. and seek legal counsel that better exemplifies the values of ODU's mission statement

3. investigate accusations against Bailey thoroughly and with the utmost care and support for the survivors

4. propose a detailed plan of action written with the input of women and other gender minorities at every rank at ODU on how to make amends to past victims of sexual misconduct at ODU and to ensure the support of future victims who come forward.

(If you would like to add your name to the letter, please include whatever information you feel comfortable including below. Given the blatant disregard for the lived experiences, safety, and reputations of ODU faculty, staff, and students, we understand that not all of our colleagues feel safe adding their names to this letter even though they fully support it. We will update the signatures at the end of each day.)  

Link to article: https://www.pilotonline.com/news/vp-nw-bailey-odu-20210610-cuzrop4ibrh55daovoqk43rluy-htmlstory.html

Signed,

Ruth Osorio, Assistant Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Daniel Richards, Associate Professor and Associate Chair of English
Kristi Costello, Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Writing Studies & Gen. Ed., English
Rose Keefe, Assistant Professor of English
Jeremy Saks, Assistant Professor of English
AJ Nolan, Senior Lecturer of English
Annemarie Navar-Gill, Assistant Professor of Communication
Megan Boeshart, PhD Student, Lecturer in English, Writing Center Director
Elizabeth Groeneveld, Associate Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Myles McNutt, Associate Professor of Communication
Ann M. Kumm, Lecturer of English as a Second Language
Kevin DePew, Associate Professor of English
Michelle Fowler-Amato, Associate Professor of English
Laura Smithers, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Community College Leadership
John Shull, Lead Project Scientist, ODU Virginia Modeling Analysis Simulation Center
Theresa Hughes, Office Manager, Women’s Studies and Institute for the Humanities
Heather Weddington, Lecturer, English, ODU MFA ‘11
Kevin Moberly, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Digital Media, and Game Studies
Staci Defibaugh, Associate Professor of English
Laura Ray, Interim Director, English Language Center
Alison Reed, Associate Professor of English
Amelia Anderson, Assistant Professor of STEM Education and Professional Studies
Kim Bullington, Chief Departmental Advisor and Programs Manager of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering
Monika Balfanz, Lecturer of English as a Second Language
Anonymous, Untenured of English
Laura Buchholz, Senior Lecturer/Director of General Education Literature in English
Julia Romberger, Associate Professor of English
Amy Matzke-Fawcett, Strategic Communication and Outreach Coordinator, College of Arts & Letters
Alex Nielsen, Lead Project Scientist & Capabilities Lab Coordinator, Virginia Modeling Analysis & Simulation Center
Megan McKittrick, Lecturer of English
Jenn Sloggie, Senior Lecturer and Director of Gen. Ed. Composition, ODU MA ‘00, English
Emily Goodman-Scott, Associate Professor of Counseling & Human Services
Mary Beth Pennington, Senior Lecturer and Director of Writing Placement and Support, English
Dennis Gregory, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Community College Leadership, Educational Foundations and Leadership
Anonymous, Associate Professor, Counseling and Human Services
Manuela Mourao, Professor of English
Liam Costello, Professional Counselor, Office of Counseling Services
Amanda Skrobacki, Adjunct Faculty of English
Mitsue Shiokawa, Director of ODUOnline International, Distance Learning
Deborah Christie, Adjunct Assistant Professor, ODU M.A. '95 English
Matthew Beale, Digital Writing Lecturer, English
Kim Fahle Peck, ODU PhD 2019; Adjunct Instructor, English
Amy Lindstrom, Assistant Professor, English
Esin B. Sozer, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Kathryn Conner Bennett, Instructor, English
Katherine Jackson, Master Lecturer, English
Jamie Henthorn, ODU PhD ‘16, English
Jadwiga Staniszewska-De Mott, Adjunct Instructor, English
Sharon Pitney, Outreach Coordinator, Center for Global Engagement
Allison Page, Assistant Professor, Communication and Theatre Arts; Institute for the Humanities
Chrystal Trapani, Adjunct Instructor, Instructional Technology Specialist, ODU M.A. '09, Adjunct and M.A. (English) ITS (CLT)
Tony Perez, Associate Professor, Educational Foundations and Leadership
Sarah Camp, Instructional Technology Specialist, Center for Learning & Teaching
Erica Paredes, Program Support & Graduate Tech, English
Edward Jacobs, Professor, English
Sarah Darrow, Content Strategist, Distance Learning
Kristin White Instructional Technology Specialist, Center for Learning and Teaching
Janis Smith, Senior Lecturer/Chief Departmental Advisor, English
Beth Backes, Master Lecturer, English
Kole Matheson, Lecturer, English
Noah Renn, Instructor, English
Peter Adams, Lecturer, English
Eric L. De Barros, former Assistant Professor, English
Alison Lietzenmayer, Master Lecturer, Department of Communication & Theatre Arts
Jackie Mohan, Lecturer of English
Alice Laubach, International Student Advisor, Center for Global Engagement
Elle Tyson, ODU MA '17, Linguistics
Alicia DeFonzo, Senior Lecturer, English
Flavia Mazzarda, PostDoc, Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics
Kasie C Reyes, Deputy Director, Center for Global Engagement
Amanda Kunkel, Graduate Teaching Assistant, MFA Candidate, English
David Roh, Assistant Professor (2009-15), English
Delores B. Phillips, Associate Professor, Postcolonial Literature and Theory, English
Nicole Hancock, PhD student, English
Michelle Heart (Dee), Senior Lecturer, English
Lea Ann Douglas, Associate Professor, English Department
Sarah Darrow, Content Strategist, Distance Learning
Steve Myran, Associate Professor, Educational Foundations and Leadership
Kathy Fowler, Master Lecturer; Coordinator, Integrated Individualized Interdisciplinary Studies, English, Interdisciplinary Studies
Natalia Watkins, VISA Office Manager, Center for Global Engagement
Corrin Gillis, Associate Professor, Communication Disorders and Special Education
Joanne Scheibman, University Professor Emerita, English and Applied Linguistics
Karen Vaughan, University Libraries
Linda St-Laurent, Lecturer of English as a Second Language
Degi Betcher, International Student Advisor Visa & Immigration Service Advising / CGE
Joanna Eleftheriou, Dr., ODU MFA  ’08
Jessica Saxon, ODU PhD '19
Rachel McCullough, Research Assistant, VMASC
Brandon Fultz, Graduate Student, Writing Center Tutor, English
Abby Stanley, Graduate Student
Sarah McGinley, Graduate Student, English
Samantha Alexander, ODU MA '21, Linguistics
Wie Yusuf, Professor School of Public Service
Anonymous, Former Hall Director, HRL
Margaret Konkol, Assistant Professor, English
Aggy K., Communications: Media Studies
Martha Daas, Chair and Associate Professor World Languages and Cultures
Salem
Anonymous Student
Anonymous Student
Kevin Martínez Rivera, Graduate Student, Applied Linguistics, English
Anonymous Student, Public Health
Evan Shackley, Undergraduate Music
Natalie Edirmanasinghe, Assistant Professor, Counseling and Human Services
Orlando Kearney, Administrative Assistant , English Department
Josh Jones, BFA Graduate
Tammy Hanna Reed, Adjunct Faculty, English
Meagan Jordan, Associate Professor, School of Public Service
Anonymous, Student
Patrick Greene, MA Graduate, English
Daniel Drylie, Graduate Assistant, English
Nicole Willock, Associate Professor, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Rebecca Coleman, Graduate Student, English
Wendi White ODU, MFA Graduate, Women's Studies Graduate Certificate, English/ Women's Studies
Violet Strawderman, M.A, 2019, former adjunct instructor, English
I. Pettie Perkins, Student, English
Autumn Stairs
Tammy Allen, Program Support Tech, English
P. Thomas Vernier, Research Professor Center for Bioelectrics
Kent Wascom, Assistant Professor of Creative Writing, English
Michael L. Nelson, Professor, Computer Science & VMASC
Hannah Liddle, Geology @ JMU
Liza Potts, former Assistant Professor (2008-11), English
Marina Saitgalina, Assistant Professor, School of Public Service
Andrew Lee Sigerson, Graduate Student, English
Eric Kemp
Josh Ayala
Dr. Beth Vincelette, Master Lecturer, English
Lauren Elizabeth Roth, ODU Alumni, English
Betsy W. Gregory, Research Tech, The Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics
Hailey Zamora, Graduate Student of Applied Linguistics
Kelly Morse, Instructor of English
Saige Hill, PhD Student and Research Fellow, School of Public Service
Avi Santo, Associate Professor & Chair Department of Communication & Theatre Arts
Amy Milligan, Associate Professor, Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies
Kimberly Price, Student, English
Brandi Shook, Alumni, 2021, Theatre
Kim Cossey, GA, Educational Foundations and Leadership
Melissa Scott, Graduate Student
Gabrielle Wiley, Undergraduate student, English
Brooklin Horsley, Student, Criminal Justice and Sociology
Janaisia Jones, Student, Community and Environmental Health
Anonymous, ODU BA ‘19
Veronica Hall, ODU B.S. ‘21, M.S. ‘22
Anonymous, Student, Communications
Katherine Shelton
Sammy A, Bachelors, Psychology
Dr. Vukica Jovanovic, Associate Professor, Engineering Technology
Lauren Hurston, Creative Writing MFA Graduate, 2014
Jennifer McLawhorn, Admissions coordinator, Undergraduate Admissions
Logan Boydstun, Study Abroad Coordinator, Center for Global Engagement
Evelyn Etienne, Alumni, College of Arts & Letters
Mechelle B. Smith, Alumna ‘20, PhD, School of Public Service
Krista Brant, MSED Student and Program Outreach Coordinator, Military Connection Center SEES
Amber Pope, Counseling & Human Services
Leah Melton, MLIS Graduate, Office Manager, Military Connection Center, SEES
Michael C. Carhart, Professor, History
JaCinta Ball, Alumna
Shana Pribesh, Chair, Educational Foundations and Leadership
Sheri L Prupis, Graduate Student, Darden College of Education
Kim Murphy, Assistant Professor, Communication Disorders and Special Education
Steve Bell, ODU PhD 2015, former staff, Office of International Programs and Study Abroad
Shawn Girvan, Adjunct Faculty, English
David Thomas, MA ‘06, Applied Linguistics
Allison Negron, ODU Alum, Masters in Higher Education ‘11
Katherine Hammond, Associate Professor, Communication & Theatre Arts
lee smith, Adjunct assistant professor, Communication & theatre arts
Justin McLawhorn, Facilities Manager, Goode Theatre & Brock Commons
Dana Staves, ODU MFA ‘10, English
Michael Cremedas, Ass't. Prof.
D'An Knowles Ball, MA '07 Humanities; PhD Candidate, English
Ty Murphy, Student, History/African-American studies
James Morrow, Assistant Professor of Dance, Communication and Theatre Arts
Carla Harrell, Master Lecturer, Communication
David Thomas, ODU Alum, BA, MA, PhD
David Gehring, Adjunct Faculty, Communications
Anne Michalek, Alumni and Associate Professor, Communication Disorders and Special Education
Lyzzie Golliher, Adjunct, English
Kyle Nicholas, Master Lecturer, Communication & Theatre Arts
Joleen McInnis, Librarian, University Libraries
Chris Hanna, Professor, Communications and Theatre Arts
Elizabeth Black, Associate Professor of French World Languages and Cultures
Nathan Owens, Adjunct Instructor, World Languages & Cultures
Alisa Moore, ODU Alum & Library Staff, Humanities, Women's Studies, University Libraries
Allyn Walker, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Vanessa Panfil, Associate Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Nathan Workman, Adjunct Instructor, Communications and Theater Arts
Elizabeth Smith, Director, Interdisciplinary Initiatives, Graduate School
Meghan Morris, ODU BA ‘18, English Literature
Courtneu Leonard, ODU BA '11, English
April Cobos, ODU PhD Graduate, 2019, English
Raoul Lobo, Adjunct instructor & MFA Grad, English
Sarah Noffsinger, Alumni, Political Science & Human Services
Mary Porter-Troupe Senior Lecturer English
Ashley Renn ODU BA '10, English Literature & current Library Staff
Rebekah Toussaint, Instructor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Mica Deckard, Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminal Justice
Samantha Mundt, ODU Alumni, Psychology & Women’s Studies
Angela Mayer, Family Member of ODU students
Nicole Hutton, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Geography
Michael Allen, Associate Professor, Geography Program
Alexander Crockett-Verba, ODU alum, English
Cassidy Crockett-Verba, Alumni, History and Art History
Hunter Noffsinger, Alumni
Anonymous, Assistant Professor, Political Science and Geography
Casey Guditus, ODU MA 2017, Applied Linguistics
Tom Robotham, Adjunct Instructor, Communications
Erika Frydenlund, Research Assistant Professor, VMASC
Anonymous
Rebecca Morales, Alumni, Sociology and Women’s Studies
Elizabeth Zanoni, Associate Professor, History
Lucinda Wittkower, University Libraries
Anonymous, Former Assistant Professor (2007-2011), English
Mikalah Mazuera (Lake), MPA ‘21, former graduate assistant to Academic Affairs
Amanda Dale Wroten, Adjunct Instructor, ODU Alumni, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Communication
Katherine Rocca, Adjunct Instructor, English
Jessica Johnson, Curriculum Coordinator, VMASC
Valerie Brazzale-Russell, Ms.Ed of mental health studies, lpc-e
Stacie Ringleb, Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Katherine Smith, Research Associate, VMASC
Rebecca Morales, Alumni, Sociology and Women’s Studies
Kerstin Steitz, Associate Professor, Department of World Languages and Cultures
Katharine  Moulton, Adjunct Lecturer, English as a Second Language
Kerstin Steitz, Associate Professor, World Languages and Cultures
Lindsay Usher, Associate Professor, Human Movement Sciences
Paula Phounsavath, Editor-in-Chief of the Mace & Crown, English
Anonymous, ODU Classified Staff
Lee Ellen Knight, Senior Lecturer, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Siris Fernandez, Graduate Student
Pamela VanHaitsma, Assistant Professor (2014-17), English
Jennifer Kidd, Master Lecturer, Teaching & Learning
Judith Dunkerly-Bean, Associate Professor, Teaching and Learning