Our view: Troubling questions persist in wake of UMD probe

b k.
Duluth, MN     11/12/2009 9:05 AM

This story still around? Where are the police and court reports? Has he been convicted of a crime here? I guess the internal punishment is working. I hope if this story hits the paper again there is actually something new to read, not just the same old report details.

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Sam P.
11/10/2009 8:36 AM

Raymond’s defenders seem to be “cherry picking” the least damaging allegations against him. If you read the report, there are FAR WORSE ALLEGATIONS. For example… 1. The UMD report states that multiple females claimed they were lured by Raymond under dubious pretexts to be alone with him in the privacy of his house where they experienced unwanted sexual advances. 2. The report states that 5 women claimed that Raymond sexual harassed them. 3. The report states that 12 individuals claimed Raymond had inappropriate sexual relationships with students, and it was claimed that these relationships were "supposed to be secret" according to Raymond. Raymond admitted to having had sexual relationships with two students. 4. The report states that Raymond retaliated against and intimidated students who brought harassment claims, and he "defamed the characters" of these female students by his own words and by enlisting others to do so. 5. The report states that Raymond tried to kiss a female student in a hotel during a University trip to the Twin Cities, and when she refused he invited her to his hotel room for a "backrub." 6. The report states that a number of women claimed that Raymond regularly made inappropriate sexual comments. 7. The report states that a number of women claimed that Raymond engaged in inappropriate sexual touching. 8. The report argues that this is long-standing behavior for Raymond. 9. The report states that Raymond made ambiguous, evasive responses to many allegations, made excuses for other allegations, and never showed understanding that anything he did was wrong. 10. The report states that multiple female students found Raymond's behavior "predatory." These allegations are far more serious than many realize.

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DM A.
Duluth, MN     11/07/2009 3:54 PM

If this paper printed a story about schools handing out condoms to students we would have 50 posts saying why not? Kids are going to have sex so lets just keep them safe. Rod makes broad suggestive comments and we get 50 posts tut tutting and demanding he be fired. What is going on here? Is it ok for kids to have indiscriminate sex but not adults?

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N H.
Duluth, MN     11/07/2009 11:43 AM

Back in the mid 80's, I saw a male co-worker get fired on the spot after sexually harassing a female co-worker. It was the 2nd person he'd harassed in a week. That kind of behavior shouldn't be tolerated.

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Linda G.
Duluth, MN     11/07/2009 8:06 AM

Of course, sexual harrassment should not be tolerated. Neither should vicious condemnation of someone based on what you heard or read in the paper. Gumption to step up and file a report (remaining anonymous to most of you) but not gumption to say The accusers are protected...their past actions not questioned. They took a stand to file a report as long as they could remain anonymous to most of you, but they didn't take a stand to say tha

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Renee L.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 9:40 PM

I think there is a lot we don't know about this. What's in the documents the DNT got is one thing...but it's hard to really say for sure what went on and when. I know rod and know his personality....and I can see some of this. But I also know of college age women who have pursued him for years. Consensual is consensual as long as you are the age of majority...

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adam s.
11/06/2009 8:54 PM

UMD did not follow the report to fire Rod for harrassing multiple women. It is only a matter of time before just one girl says boo about him and her lawyer will have an easy lawsuit- based on Rod's history of harassment and his realationship with UMD.

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C T.
Cloquet, MN     11/06/2009 6:32 PM

It is disturbing to read how many individuals on this post equate "sexual harassment" with "whining" and "hurt feelings" and "move on" and "grow up" and stand up for yourself, etc. Sexual harassment of young women by an older powerful male who in many cases works in supervisory/teacher position with these young women is just that. To think that these young women are in some way at fault is ridiculous. I know that there are men on this site who understand this, but there are many who do not. Get a clue: These young women should not EVER have to be put in this position by this individual. It is not their fault and the university should be ashamed.

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Lorna G.
11/06/2009 6:25 PM

I'm becoming a tad tired of looking at this man's face. Whether he was just a "friendly guy" and a good business man at the same time or not, he should have known better. To me he is simply another one of those who just don't get it. There is no excuse for his behavior.

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DM A.
Duluth, MN     11/06/2009 5:55 PM

Progressive feminists and conservative Christians really do have a lot in common. Maybe they should come together and start an anti-sex league.

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