Dean Kromm's controversial comments inspired No Red Tape--to petition against her.

Dean Kromm’s controversial comments inspired No Red Tape–to petition against her.

In a recent Spectator article, Columbia’s Dean of Undergraduate Student Life, Cristen Kromm, was quoted saying that students found guilty of committing sexual assault will still be eligible to apply for leadership positions in NSOP and ISOP. Dean Kromm’s comments present sexual assault and gender-based violence as “mistake[s]” and opportunities for “learning, growth, and change.”

No Red Tape quickly created an online petition demanding that Dean Kromm issue a public apology for her comments as well as a statement of support for the group’s “SAAFE” protest demands. The petition garnered 100 signatures in under a day and is still gathering supporters. Dean Kromm says the committees that select Orientation Leader and RAs will continue to evaluate each application on a case-by-case basis, not necessarily excluding students with sexual violence on their records.

Dean Kromm via Columbia’s Website