A powerful statement today released by FIRE, regarding Duke's guilt-presuming sexual misconduct procedure. FIRE vice president Robert Shibley put the matter bluntly:
"Duke's new sexual misconduct policy could have been written by Mike Nifong. Members of the men's basketball team could be punished for consensual sexual activity simply because they are 'perceived' as more powerful than other students after winning the national championship. Students who engage in sexual behavior after a few beers could be found guilty of sexual misconduct towards each other. This is not just illogical and impractical, but insane. Given its experience during the lacrosse team rape hoax, Duke, of all schools, should know better than to institute such unjust rules about sexual misconduct."
How will Duke respond? I'd like to think the university would show some sensitivity to due process and the need to avoid false allegations--or, even if not, would want to avoid being publicly shamed as FIRE has done. But on a campus in which the Group of 88 and its allies have, if anything, tightened their vise since the end of the lacrosse case, I can't say that I'm optimistic.
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