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  • OPEN LETTER: DePaul YAF Demands Formal Apology from University [UPDATED]

    1/28/2013 4:39:46 PM Posted by Kate Edwards
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    The below is an open letter to DePaul University from YAF Chapter Chairman Kristopher Del Campo, calling on the University to formerly apologize, and that appropriate action be taken on the individuals involved in the destruction of their Flags for Life display. Read below for the original letter, and the response from DePaul's President:  


     The Honorable President Dennis H. Holtschneider

    1 East Jackson Boulevard

    Chicago, IL 60604

     

    January 25, 2013

     

    Dear President Holtschneider,

     

    On behalf of the DePaul Young Americans for Freedom, and in light of the recent destruction of our "Flags for Life" display, I am calling on the university to formerly apologize for this action against our organization. Freedom of speech on campus is a right, and any activity of vandalism against it is intolerable. I request that those involved in the vandalism would come forward and also apologize, and that appropriate sanctions for this act be imposed on those individuals. 

    I am also calling on the DePaul campus community, and the Chicago community at large, to stand with Young Americans for Freedom in support of our right to free speech. 

    The "Flags for Life" display marked the 40th anniversary of the historic Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision and symbolized the lives lost since that day. Vandalism against this project should especially be condemned at DePaul, the nation's largest Catholic university.

    In its mission statement, DePaul University states that it "strives to bring light of Catholic faith and the treasures of knowledge into a mutually challenging and supportive relationship." Given this strong statement, the DePaul Young Americans for Freedom chapter is hopeful that the University will be supportive in our defense of the unborn.

    Sincerely,

     

    Kristopher Del Campo

    Chairman

    DePaul Young Americans for Freedom

     

    Enclosure

    cc'd - Dr. Art Munin, Cindy Lawson

     

     Response:


    Statement from Young America's Foundation:

    We appreciate President Holtschneider’s taking the time to respond to DePaul YAF chair Kristopher Del Campo. However, we feel the situation has yet to be properly addressed.

    There has not yet been a single representative from DePaul University who has formerly condemned the vandalism of the prolife display, or spoken out in support of the DePaul Young Americans for Freedom.

    There appears to be little concern about the atmosphere that permeates the campus, and no indication that steps will be taken  to ensure a discriminatory act of vandalism of this nature will not happen again at DePaul University. The lackluster response only emboldens others who are not respectful to others ideas.

    An in-house sensitivity training on respecting a culture of life would be a recommended first step. A call for those involved in the vandalism of the display to step forward is another crucial step that must be taken. DePaul is the nation’s largest Catholic university, and it is only appropriate that we encourage its leaders to speak up for the most helpless in our society—the unborn.  

     

    • Readers' Comments

    • Well written letter. Kudos to the DePaul YAF chapter.
      Posted by Dan on 01/29/2013
    • Well written letter. Kudos to the DePaul YAF chapter.
      Posted by Dan on 01/29/2013
    • I would just like to point out that taking down the flags was just as much of an act of freedom of speech as putting them up were. I think for a man (Kris) to push his views on a college campus, where many women do not believe a man has any right to say one way or another what to do with their bodies, he got what he deserved. The students showed their right to activism in the opposite but same way as the DePaul YAF chapter did. They made a bold statement by putting those flags up, and a bold statement was made in return by taking them down. It made have upset YAF, but that was in no way shape or form vandalism. Vandalism at DePaul is detrimental damage to any building or piece of property. The flags were on school property but not a part of the school's property, and they were not shredded to pieces, they were simply thrown in the trash by students making a statement just like YAF was. To have students punished for making the same but opposite statement as YAF would be destructive to the college atmosphere, and how we are encouraged to question, think, and grow here has young adults. Nobody made a big fuss when they were put up, there should certainly not be a fuss made because someone made their own statement by taking them down.
      Posted by Maria on 01/29/2013
    • I would just like to point out that taking down the flags was just as much of an act of freedom of speech as putting them up were. I think for a man (Kris) to push his views on a college campus, where many women do not believe a man has any right to say one way or another what to do with their bodies, he got what he deserved. The students showed their right to activism in the opposite but same way as the DePaul YAF chapter did. They made a bold statement by putting those flags up, and a bold statement was made in return by taking them down. It made have upset YAF, but that was in no way shape or form vandalism. Vandalism at DePaul is detrimental damage to any building or piece of property. The flags were on school property but not a part of the school's property, and they were not shredded to pieces, they were simply thrown in the trash by students making a statement just like YAF was. To have students punished for making the same but opposite statement as YAF would be destructive to the college atmosphere, and how we are encouraged to question, think, and grow here has young adults. Nobody made a big fuss when they were put up, there should certainly not be a fuss made because someone made their own statement by taking them down.
      Posted by Maria on 01/29/2013
    • I would just like to point out to Maria (only once), that whoever took down the flags had no authority to do unless they were associated with YAF or the University. A student exhibition is part of the University and the act of destroying the exhibit IS vandalism. I think for a person like Maria who apparently knows little about the Catholic faith or picks and chooses what part of the scripture she wishes to follow to trot out the "women's bodies" line is ridiculous as this is a Catholic school and therefore should be expected to follow the tenants of Catholicism - that is, defending the rights of the unborn (or in today's parlance, "pre-born"). In conclusion, unless Maria has a remarkable last minute conversion to Christianity, there will come a time when she will face the consequences for her actions and beliefs and she too will "get what she deserves", as did all of us before we accepted Christ as our savior.
      Posted by DaveC on 02/01/2013
    • God bless you, YAF. I heartily endorse your efforts at DePaul. Your open letter and statement above are entirely appropriate. Maria's comment is so fatuous as to hardly deserve a response, but it would be a pleasure to provide one if I only had the time to do so.
      Posted by Alan K Hunt on 02/01/2013
    • The old "a woman and her baby share the same body" argument doesn't wash with me. Also, defacing something on school property, which can be argued was done to the display, is still an act of vandalism. But most importantly Maria, you were obviously never taught there's a right way and a wrong way to express a viewpoint. If you want to get together and organize a counter protest then do that, but don't resort to kicking things over like a five year old and DEFINITELY don't try to shut people up. This was COMPLETELY disrespectful to the flag, to the YAF, to DePaul and to the perpetrators' parents who should have done a better job raising them. Just my $0.02
      Posted by Ryan on 02/01/2013
    • What a typical stupid, uneducated conservative asking to "formerly apologize". LOL! Most people I know would want someone to formally apologize. Guess you received a great CONservative edumecation eh Kris. In your books, you're only "free" if you adhere to some nonsensical overtly patriotic society...how oppressive!
      Posted by Joe on 02/04/2013
    • Stalin was simply exercising his "free speech."
      Posted by Roger Shouse on 02/04/2013
    • Del Campo has an outstanding Arrest Warrant in the State of Florida. He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones. If we are practicing "full disclosure" - then let's make sure EVERYTHING is disclosed ! ! Maybe as the blogger above points out - Del Campo's parents should have done a better job raising him. Here is the link to his Warrant and Mugshot. http://www.jailbase.com/en/arrested/fl-mdc/2012-12-10/kristopher-obrar-del-campo-120080416
      Posted by Nancy on 02/06/2013
    • The post from Maria is pathetic, yet completely indicative of the kind of entitled airhead that modern universities turn out. Preventing someone from speaking freely is "free speech"? Give me a break. So if I ripped a sign out of your hand at a protest, that would simply be me exercising my right to disagree with you? Yeah, I don't think so. Ever heard of the heckler's veto? Given that you seem to be a complete idiot, I doubt it. The post above this one is equally stupid. Get back to us when someone's supposed criminal record is even remotely relevant to this discussion.
      Posted by Henry Krinkle on 02/07/2013
    • Greetings from South Dakota! I'm bored to tears at home so I decided to browse your website on my android phone from the kitchen. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can't wait to take a look when I get home. I'm shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I'm not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, very good blog! njdoc inmate locator
      Posted by Pennell on 05/17/2013
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