Student section gets reprieve

In what is quickly turning into a massive debacle, Xavier has now un-banned (?) the student section and done away with the mandatory reflection sessions. Once again, we have a copy of the email that was sent to the students. What is immediately striking about this one is that it is not sent by the Dean of Students, but the Provost Officer and SGA President. Read on for the latest missive from Xavier.

Dear Undergraduate Students:

On January 5, an email from the Dean of Students was sent to students who were in the student section of the Crosstown Shootout directing them to attend a one hour long reflection session. The session was designed to focus on the importance and value of sportsmanlike behavior and give students the opportunity to discuss it within the context of our Ignatian values.

However, based on feedback about the reflection sessions from students, both those who received the Dean of Students’ message and those who learned of it, as well as feedback from student leadership, it became clear we need to move forward on a different path. In collaboration, student leadership and Xavier administration decided on a new direction. This approach will invite the entire undergraduate student community to discuss our strong Xavier spirit, show support by the students for the men’s basketball team and our Xavier values, as well as focus on making the student game experience the best it can be.

All students are now invited to this discussion on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cintas Center. The event will be led by Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott Chadwick with the assistance of Coach Chris Mack, Student Government Association President Ryan Alleman and representatives of X-treme fans. Student attendance is not mandatory. All students are welcome to participate as fans at all future men’s basketball games.

While we come together to reflect and discern, you will also have the opportunity to discuss your thoughts and reactions to what happened at the end of the Crosstown Shootout. We will discuss with you how we are all representatives of Xavier, how fan behavior affects the game atmosphere and what we will do to avoid any similar situations in the future. We will also discuss how we can appropriately maintain the energy and intensity of our home court advantage.

We remain proud of our Xavier students and we look forward to working together, keeping Xavier and the Xavier spirit thriving and well.

Sincerely,

Scott A. Chadwick, Ph.D.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Ryan K. Alleman
Student Government Association President

What exactly this means going forward isn't clear, because right now nothing the university does is clear. We will continue to contact the media relations department in an effort to get further explanation. All we can be certain of right now is that the administration has been shaken to the core by the events of 27 days ago.