Subscription Services

The Northland's No. 1 news Web site — 3,736,982 pageviews in February 2010.

Published November 06, 2009

Local view: Sexual harassment at UMD? ‘Rod was just being Rod’ chat

By Emilie Marshall, for the News Tribune

Back to article

Recent Comments

If you feel a comment violates the terms listed below please choose the report violation link associated with the offending comment and file a report.

« previous 1 2 3 4 6 next »

daniel f.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 9:12 AM

Emilie also needs to learn some things on intent vs. perception. While you can control your intentions you have no control of the perception of your intentions. Rod as well doesn't understand this, and as a professional and person of authority, this should be common sense. As a journalism student, Emilie, I would try to refrain from telling the reader what/how to feel. You have been made privy to just as many facts as the rest of us, so please do not think you have the magical ability to see through fact and fiction.

Report a Violation

Cate E.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 9:03 AM

With these razor-sharp analytical skills (completely divorced from reality), this young woman has a bright future in the mainstream media.

Report a Violation

Allan L.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 9:00 AM

I agree with Chris M. If you read the report you would know that Rod has a pattern of behavior that is not harmless. He may not have done anything to her but others were hurt by his inappropriate behavior. Again, I believe that Rod has activated his base to rescue him and it seems to involve blaming the victims for the crime. UMD needs to complete its responsibilities in this issue.

Report a Violation

daniel f.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 8:58 AM

Why on earth would DNT publish this drivel? Emilie writes with her emotions and opinions, rather than looking for the facts. If someone told me "you look sexy today" while at work, that would be sexual harassment. How is that even remotely professional? The fact of the matter is that Rod is unable to see when he is making people uncomfortable, and unfortunately, he offended the wrong person. I'm sure there are students at UMD who wouldn't mind it if Rod called them sexy, but as a person of authority, Rod has to know that those kind of statements effect people differently. Giving Emilie this public forum to publish her opinion makes no sense to me. She has as much authority on the matter as I do. In fact, I would also like to be invited to contribute my opinions, in a published forum, as fact.

Report a Violation

Claire K.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 8:32 AM

The fact the author of this op ed refers to grown women -- college students, so I assume they are 18 and over -- as "girls" tells me a lot about her attitudes towards herself and towards women her age. I read the report, and Mr. Raymond did more than call women "honey" and "darling" or compliment them on their appearance. He also retaliated against women who found his attention towards them as inappropriate.

Report a Violation

Michael S.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 8:30 AM

Perhaps the moderation suggested in this article can be expanded to include racism, sexism and other 'isms that seem to be accepted as "if it has any possibility of offending anybody at anytime, taken out of context or not, it should be considered off limits... I don't know Rod at all, haven't read the complaints against him, but it seems to me we've landed in a spot (ala Sharpton & Jackson) where almost anything said can be concluded as being an 'ism . . .

Report a Violation

Chris M.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 7:55 AM

Emilie, (Honey,) (yeah, that sounds kind of offensive/condescending doesn't it?) your argument in defense of this teacher's actions is highly personal and has a certain "head-in-the snowbank" perspective. If I was your journalism professor, I would have some problems with your view point. Did you read the 11 page report? If you did, and did not find things in there as a reporter that disturbed you, you are possibly in the wrong field.

Report a Violation

dugger w.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 6:28 AM

Excellent, correctamundo and exactamundo!

Report a Violation

pat k.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 6:05 AM

"Wow, you look sexy today" and 'You look good today" spoken at work equals sexual harrassment. Mr. Raymond certainly is lucky to have you for a friend but you need to know that he crossed a definite line. This talk is never allowed at work, no matter what the setting. Whether you are sitting at a desk, in a squad car or at an exercise machine, being told you look sexy is creepy harrassment!

Report a Violation

Jim J.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 5:36 AM

The UMD investigation you mention interviewed 16 women. I read it and it suggests a clear pattern of sexually inappropriate language and behavior. Readers can judge themselves by viewing the report.

Report a Violation

« previous 1 2 3 4 6 next »

Please Log in to share your comments

Comments posted on this page DO NOT reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are posted "as is" and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. If a comment is found in violation of said guidelines it can and will be removed from the public discussion. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in Duluth News Tribune.

Terms & Conditions