University of Iowa President Sally Mason issued a public apology on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 for her recent comments concerning sexual assault incidents on and near the campus.
Mason responded to a media question about the apparent increase in sexual assault reports by saying the goal would be to end sexual assault, but that it was probably not a realistic goal. Mason cited “human nature” as the reason for her remark.
Two days later, Mason released another statement, calling sexual assault terrible and inexcusable, and vowing to take all possible action to “prevent rapes, to support victims, and to prosecute offenders.”
Students upset with Mason’s remarks demanded a change in actions taken by university officials when sexual assaults are reported. They also wanted an outright apology. Dozens of those students demonstrated on the UI campus February 24, and vowed to demonstrate every week until their demands were met.
At a forum held February 25, Mason apologized for her earlier comments, saying, “I am sorry for the pain my words caused.”
There have also been eight sexual assaults reported at or near the campus this year alone. Just five of them, have been reported to authorities though.
Mason also scheduled a listening session for Thursday, February 27, to continue discussion with students on the issue. The session starts at 3:30 p.m. at the Iowa Memorial Union.