Regarding the Oct. 10 Metro article “Cornell allegations spark march to White House”:
The recent reporting on the alleged sexual assaults at Cornell University and other schools makes it seem that universities with high numbers of reports but only a few investigations are somehow failing to support and protect students. I’m a former Title IX coordinator at Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I can say that in my experience, the opposite is often true.
The issue comes down to agency and respecting the student’s wishes. When a student initially comes to a Title IX office, they are generally interested only in getting support through measures that may help them heal and continue with their education, such as counseling, academic and housing accommodations, a safety plan, and a no-contact order. This is because they often have not reached the point in their healing when they are prepared to go through a difficult and potentially retraumatizing investigation and hearing; indeed, they might never get to that point. There are exceptions, for example, when there is a possibility of further violence or misconduct. Otherwise, the best course of action — the one that most students, in my experience, have wanted — is to allow them to choose their own path, whether that is support, an alternate resolution method, or — if and when they are ready — a formal investigation and hearing.
Howard Kallem, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Who should fix college sports?
Regarding Nick Saban and E. Gordon Gee’s Oct. 5 op-ed, “How to rein in the chaos of college sports”:
College football needs fixing. I just don’t think Washington should be the one fixing it.
Take the proposed restrictions on conference realignment. Why should Miami, Clemson or Florida State be forced to spend three years as independents if they want to leave the ACC for another major conference? If a school can negotiate its exit and another conference wants the school to join, that should be between them.
The bigger issue is that we keep treating college football like it’s the same business as college lacrosse. It’s not. Football is a massive entertainment industry, and it needs to operate differently. Get it out from under the NCAA and bring in experienced sports executives, university leaders and entrepreneurs to figure out what comes next.
And for all the complaints about name, image and likeness compensation, and the transfer portal, have we forgotten how good college football has become? Why would we want to legislate that progress away?
I’m not arguing against regulation. We need rules, athlete protections and accountability. But there’s a difference between setting measured rules and having politicians decide how an entire industry should operate.
Omar Soliman, Tampa
A park that felt like ours
Regarding the Oct. 13 Metro article “‘Furious’ judge halts tree removal”:
I know change is constant, but some changes are totally unnecessary. It broke my heart to see over 400 trees cut down in East Potomac Park on orders from the White House.
East Potomac Park has a long-standing cultural significance for Black Washingtonians. I first moved to D.C. straight out of college. Thousands of Black folks visit the park each year, especially in the summer. I remember riding through this park, and I proudly felt that this part of the city was ours.
Pamela Hairston Chisholm, Martinsville
I have worked as a civil engineer for over 20 years, and in my work approvals for sensitive environmental projects are always required. I am appalled that extensive tree removal was approved in a day without any public comment or serious review.
East Potomac Golf Links is on public land for the enjoyment of all citizens. I was also not aware the National Park Service was flush with resources for new work. Other National Park facilities and parks are in disrepair, as resources have not been allocated for necessary improvements.
The Mount Vernon Trail, maintained by the National Park Service, is in dire need of repairs. It is in such abysmal condition that someone has used white spray paint to alert riders to the large holes in the ground. If resources are available for the Reflecting Pool and areas around East Potomac Park, let’s use some in areas where citizens would greatly appreciate some improvements.
Adrian Fremont, Alexandria
Follow the evidence
Regarding the Oct. 8 letters to the editor “Why is the National Guard outside D.C. schools?” and the Oct. 5 Metro article “Boots on the school-ground”:
The U.S. Marshals Service says troops and federal agents are in D.C. to deter crime; families say they unsettle children. Both can be true.
Though property crime in D.C. is down by 16 percent year to date, as of Oct. 13 violent crime is up by 11 percent, driven by a 41 percent rise in assaults with a dangerous weapon. Overall, a study by the Niskanen Center, a nonpartisan think tank, found that the presence of the National Guard has had little to no effect on violent crime.
The Pentagon has budgeted an estimated $1.4 billion to keep roughly 2,500 troops in the city through January 2029. That is a lot of money for a tool that works on the wrong crimes in the wrong places.
Instead, that money should be spent keeping visible deterrence only where it works — transit hubs, commercial corridors, tourist areas. The savings should be redirected to police staffing to help address the spike in assaults. Good governance means spending each dollar where the evidence says it counts.
Ronald Beaty, West Barnstable, Massachusetts
Letter submissions
Send letters to [email protected].
Submissions must be exclusive to The Post and should include the writer’s address and day and evening telephone numbers. Letters are subject to editing and abridgment. Please do not send letters as attachments. Because of the volume of material we receive, we are unable to acknowledge submissions; writers whose letters are under consideration for publication will be contacted.
The post I was a Title IX coordinator. This is why there are few investigations. appeared first on Washington Post.
