Wittenberg: Too Concerned with PR?

Students at Wittenberg found out about Dr. Hollant "Max" Adrian was put in jail for sexual assault charges with over a million dollar bail -- but they found out through the Springfield News Sun, not from their own Wittenberg Administration.

Article here.

It disappoints me, and a majority of my peers, that we had to find out this way as opposed to being informed directly. I know that the alleged incidents didn't happen on our campus, but he was(is?) a Wittenberg professor! To give us a vague email about an "unfolding situation" doesn't help us too much -- why do they word the emails the same for notice about the crow guns going off and when a Wittenberg professor is accused with rape?

However, I am pleased that the faculty has taken matters into their own hands to talk to us about how we, as students, are reacting to this news. Last Friday, my poli sci professor Jody LaPorte said we were going to cancel what was on the syllabus that day and instead sit in a circle to talk about our "emotional well-being." As a class, we agreed that Wittenberg Administration didn't handle the situation well -- we understand that it's an investigation and he is innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn't mean we can turn our cheeks and pretend this isn't a big deal. I've heard of many professors who have done something like this -- either through reassuring class emails or discussions in class.

In addition, at my tour guide monthly staff meeting on Thursday, Dean Kelly went on to say to not talk to the media because "it's not our investigation, the victims weren't Wittenberg students, it didn't happen on our campus, and except for a traffic ticket, he had a clean criminal record when he was hired -- plus we do a thorough background check."

While this all may be true, I hope Dean Kelly --and the Administration-- doesn't use these facts as a cop out when keeping their students informed and safe -- which is their prime responsibility.