A Letter From a Student Leader Regarding Title IX

To My Friends, Colleagues, Faculty, Staff and Community,

My name is Miranda Razzi. I am a Because Arcadia Blogger, a Resident Assistant, an Orientation Leader, a STAMP, and an active member of the Arcadia community. I typically use this platform as a light-hearted, creative outlet for my passions and interests, but today I have found that I would be doing a disservice to this university if I did not take a moment to reflect on the recent issues surrounding our Title IX office.

These past weeks have been filled with immense pain, worry, anger, and sadness. I, as many of those around me, have felt let down and discouraged. And while our pain is valid and needs to be felt in order to heal, I urge you all to come together during this time. Our unity is needed now more than ever.

Many of you have been hurt by the actions taken by individuals on behalf of the university and that is not okay. The stories shared at the walkout, the events that led to the retirement of faculty members and staff, should never have been given a space to take place on this campus.

As a student leader and mandated reporter, I would like to express my condolences to those who have been harmed. You should not have gone through what you did and I truly wish you the best in your journey of healing.

While these actions were unacceptable, many of them down-right foul, I urge those around me to give this community the second chance that it deserves. Please, it is important that now we do not flee, but instead come together.

I would like to believe that this is not Arcadia.

Arcadia is not a place for underreported incidents and issues swept under the rug. Arcadia is not a place for pain and suffering. Arcadia is not, and should not be, defined by the actions of a few, but rather by the heart of many.

Arcadia is a place for creative expression and representation. Arcadia is a place where people can forge their individualized path of higher education. Arcadia is a home to thousands of students who have come together to build a beautiful community.

I know that times can feel bleak and that the idea of a bright future may be difficult to conjure for many, but I want to believe that hope is not lost. 

When each of us came to this campus, we arrived with an idea of what this school could mean for us and our life stories. Do not give up on those ideas.

I ask that we come together and hold our heads high. Do not let this event define us and our community, but let it become a stepping stone in our path to better things.

I am committed to standing by this community, through the good, bad, and ugly. I am here for each and every one of you. Please, join me and help to build an Arcadia that all of us can be proud of.

Thank you,

Miranda Razzi