We Shall Overcome

I've had a really hard time lately dealing with the allegations surrounding the Performing Arts department at the University of Northern Colorado. I am an acting major in the program at UNC and I find myself becoming frustrated with the possible outcomes of the scandal that recently arose.

Today I heard reports of other professors being called out for partying and sexual acts with students and it begs many questions: Who is to blame for such offenses? Why have I never seen any evidence of this in the year I've been attending UNC? Why did it come to a head now? Will it affect enrollment in our prestigious program? Will we be able to look past the scandal once the school year comes and continue to deliver good theatre to Greeley?

I have mixed feelings about this whole situation. This past year, I got the first of four life-changing years of acting training and I am convinced that I couldn't have received better training at any other school. UNC is undoubtably the place for me to be and I would be the first to stand up and defend it as a reputable and quality department.

I won't leave UNC; I believe that those professors and students who are left when the dust settles are wonderful people who have our best interests as a theatre family in mind. I only hope that UNC students will continue to rally around the department and show the rest of the university, Greeley, and the media that this doesn't have to do with our talent or the quality of our performances. This has to do with the poor choices of one individual and by no means reflects the integrity of the entire department.

UNC is known for turning out Broadway-ready actors and actresses and has been doing so for decades. I am afraid that parents will refuse to send their children to UNC because they believe that their training will be compromised by the poor choices of the faculty. But if the actions of one professor have been occurring for as long as allegations state and yet UNC has still maintained high standing nationally, it must be because UNC recruits talented students who believe their time at the school to be a time to learn and grow in their field.

Though professors may have a lot to teach, it is the students' responsibility to accept the information and learn from it. Therefore, the UNC Performing Arts students are responsible for their ultimate success in this program. A great professor may have no students go on to be hired after graduation; likeways a bad professor may have taught a plethora of successful actors post-college. Education is made of teachers willing to teach and students ready to learn. It is dependant on the student alone to be proactive if he or she is to succeed, and I believe that these outgoing students are the kind who attend UNC.

I am deeply saddened to know that so many students have been hurt in the past. To know that people I am friends with may in fact be dealing with the alleged actions of this professor is heartbreaking. I cannot imagine what it would be like to know that you have been victimized. It is my greatest wish in this case that the affected people may find peace in the results of the impending trial. No one should feel like their voice went unheard and I hope that the voice of the students will be held in higher esteem in the future.

My own parents are alumni of the university and neither one has made a statement about wanting me to leave; rather, their anthem is much the same as mine. Who will keep the program strong if every student runs away? What makes a program strong is the willingness of its students and faculty to stick together, in scandal and in great success.

The accused professor has helped bring acting agencies and talent scouts to see the magnitude of our program and to hire our students in the past. Despite the fact that I think that the choices of this individual cannot be overlooked, we cannot forget that a person's misdeeds does not determine the validity of the professional endeavors of such an individual in the past. I do not think that these allegations should be overlooked at all, and I'm certainly not saying that I would like this professor to return to UNC with a slap on the wrist, but we are obligated to remember that a man is not made up of his bad decisions alone, and out of respect for a resume of successes, we should refrain from calling out such actions as we see them. There is clearly a wrongful act that has been committed, and though this act may condemn, it does not entirely define.

God tells us to 'judge not, lest ye be judged.' I want the full extent of the law to be exercised, but I want people to remember that they are human. And no human is perfect.

This will be an unpopular belief but I refuse to pass judgement on a person with whom I had no personal interaction. What I want is for UNC to remember that this professor was not the only member of the Performing Arts program and that we can stand up for our own actions and continue to stand firm. I want to feel like our theatre family stands taller when faced with adversity, rather than shying away and letting the media storm was over.

I guess what boggles my mind the most is that accusations have been made about misconduct in the past and it was, it appears to me, generally overlooked by members of the university committees who are responsible for looking into reports like this. I feel like this entire situation may have been prevented and it is disheartening to know that the university holds its students to such a high standard and yet a professor's conduct can fly virtually under the radar for almost twenty years. A student has the right to attend any school without the risk of endangerment of any kind and that if such an act occurs, it will be dealt with with the utmost urgency and discretion. I do not feel as if my right is compromised now, but the rights of others may have been in the past and I am thankful that these things are being dealt with seriously at this time.

Ultimately, I hope that we can approach a new school year with positivity and continue to produce professional-level shows and incredible performers. UNC theatre is a sacred and wonderful thing and will move forward as a brotherhood, no matter what happens in this case.