The Siren holds open discussion on Delaney Robinson case

The Siren opened up its weekly meeting to all students Wednesday night to discuss a response to the UNC administration in light of Delaney Robinson’s sexual assault case.

What Happened?

Over 100 students met in a town-hall style meeting to stand in support of Delaney Robinson, a UNC student who has accused a football player of sexual assault. The meeting was led by The Siren, a UNC student-produced publication that challenges issues of inequality through a feminist perspective.

Students and representatives from groups including Feminist Students United, The Sexuality and Gender Alliance, Project Dinah, Alpha Chi Omega and Campus Y attended the meeting.

Attendees split up into groups to discuss Robinson’s case and possible responses to UNC administration. Then, the meeting reconvened to share ideas for a letter to Chancellor Carol Folt and to discuss a possible protest in solidarity with Robinson.

Who Spoke?

Nikki McCurry, from The Siren, said the meeting’s first and foremost intention was to support Robinson.

“We are here in support of Delaney and other survivors of sexual assault on this campus,” McCurry said, “and we are here to write a formal letter against the University condemning their actions and the actions that they did not take, not only in Delaney’s case, but throughout the years.”

Ideas to be included in The Siren’s letter included mandatory One Act training for first-years, a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual assault and Title IX reform.

“I think we were really just hoping for this to be a space where people can discuss, one as a cathartic kind of thing because this is a big deal and affects people in a lot of different ways,” said Tori Placentra, a member of The Siren. “People have all different ideas of how they want to respond to it.”

Attendees also discussed the possibility of a protest in Robinson’s name. Students debated protesting at Kenan Memorial Stadium during the football game Saturday, at the Department of Public Safety and at the Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office on Franklin Street.

“I don’t think that this is necessarily about football, it’s about DPS,” said Rachel Thimsen, a friend of Robsinson. “I think it’s great that we’re starting to talk about a protest, and I think it’s great that people are not only thinking about the bigger picture, but they’re thinking about what’s best for [Robinson] in this situation and what she appreciates.” 

Why was this meeting important?

This meeting was open to all students as a way to discuss UNC’s response to Robinson’s case. It opened the conversation to all students through a public forum intended to show support for Robinson. The meeting began the development of plans for a protest against the University in Robinson’s honor.

When are they meeting again?

The Siren holds weekly meetings every Wednesday night. 

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