Post by bona20 on Dec 10, 2018 17:09:54 GMT -5
A message from the president on Saturday's game
Dear Students:
One of the reasons I always wanted to attend St. Bonaventure, and why I was so excited to become its president 40 years later, was the passion of its student body and alumni.
That passion is on display most prominently at the Reilly Center when a Bonnies rival or highly ranked team visits.
That passion crossed a line Saturday when UB came to the RC and I have to address it.
I have faith that most of you will agree with me and will help to address the situation with your friends and classmates.
I fully recognize the heated nature of a game of that magnitude. The last thing I want to see is the intensity of our student Wolf Pack muted. We all recognize how much of a homecourt advantage the Reilly Center gives the Bonnies.
But there is simply no excuse for chanting the f-word to disparage an opponent. None.
One of the foundational values of this university is community and that community extends beyond the boundaries of campus.
We have season ticket holders who have been in their same Reilly Center seats for more than 50 years. We have parents who were Bonnies fans since birth now bringing their children to the games to extend that bond.
They should not have to cover their ears for fear of what might come out of our students’ mouths.
We've received several emails from people at the game dismayed by the behavior. One email was particularly unsettling, from a prospective student who says he’ll never step foot on campus again, not only because of the vulgarity, but because his 15-year-old girlfriend who was with him was sexually harassed more than once.
I have said on multiple occasions that this university has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and harassment. That pertains to your conduct with everyone, not just each other.
Our coaches have done a remarkable job resurrecting our men’s basketball program the past 11 years. Their success has helped broaden awareness of St. Bonaventure both regionally and nationally, and new television and streaming opportunities have accelerated that reach.
With that increased exposure comes a responsibility for all of us to be aware that a lot more attention is being paid to us — and not just from the media.
A lot more students and their parents are looking at us now as an institution of choice because they've discovered the quality of our academic programs and they admire the values we stand for. It doesn’t take much to erode that admiration. Saturday’s vulgar display leads people to believe we only talk a good game.
Again, I’m not asking you in any way to curb your enthusiasm. It’s vital to our team’s success.
I’m only asking you to be smart enough to know where the line is between rabid fan support and vulgar disrespect. I implore you not to cross the line again.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President
Dear Students:
One of the reasons I always wanted to attend St. Bonaventure, and why I was so excited to become its president 40 years later, was the passion of its student body and alumni.
That passion is on display most prominently at the Reilly Center when a Bonnies rival or highly ranked team visits.
That passion crossed a line Saturday when UB came to the RC and I have to address it.
I have faith that most of you will agree with me and will help to address the situation with your friends and classmates.
I fully recognize the heated nature of a game of that magnitude. The last thing I want to see is the intensity of our student Wolf Pack muted. We all recognize how much of a homecourt advantage the Reilly Center gives the Bonnies.
But there is simply no excuse for chanting the f-word to disparage an opponent. None.
One of the foundational values of this university is community and that community extends beyond the boundaries of campus.
We have season ticket holders who have been in their same Reilly Center seats for more than 50 years. We have parents who were Bonnies fans since birth now bringing their children to the games to extend that bond.
They should not have to cover their ears for fear of what might come out of our students’ mouths.
We've received several emails from people at the game dismayed by the behavior. One email was particularly unsettling, from a prospective student who says he’ll never step foot on campus again, not only because of the vulgarity, but because his 15-year-old girlfriend who was with him was sexually harassed more than once.
I have said on multiple occasions that this university has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and harassment. That pertains to your conduct with everyone, not just each other.
Our coaches have done a remarkable job resurrecting our men’s basketball program the past 11 years. Their success has helped broaden awareness of St. Bonaventure both regionally and nationally, and new television and streaming opportunities have accelerated that reach.
With that increased exposure comes a responsibility for all of us to be aware that a lot more attention is being paid to us — and not just from the media.
A lot more students and their parents are looking at us now as an institution of choice because they've discovered the quality of our academic programs and they admire the values we stand for. It doesn’t take much to erode that admiration. Saturday’s vulgar display leads people to believe we only talk a good game.
Again, I’m not asking you in any way to curb your enthusiasm. It’s vital to our team’s success.
I’m only asking you to be smart enough to know where the line is between rabid fan support and vulgar disrespect. I implore you not to cross the line again.
Sincerely,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President
