ALLENDALE, Mich. – A student senator at Grand Valley State University resigned from his position after making a controversial post on social media saying "rape culture isn't real."
Post made by Patrick Borum.
The comment was made just a day before a student senate-sponsored meeting on sexual assault awareness, following a string of reported attacks on and near the Allendale campus at the beginning of the school year.
Patrick Borum posted the comment. He was a newly elected student senator, and a member of the Kappa Sigma chapter at GVSU.
The fraternity is putting distance between Borum's words and the group.
“This was something that was an individual’s choice and not the choice of the fraternity at large,” says Joshua Perez, president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. “As an individual, Pat did something very wrong. And I hope that you don’t blame our organization; any Greek organization, or for that matter any institution that this campus decides to have.”
"I’m under the impression that [Borum] thinks his demographic as a fraternity person is being targeted, when really what rape culture is is belonging to a society that continually perpetuates the idea that rape and sexual assault is acceptable. And it shouldn’t be," another Kappa Sigma member said.
Borum says he does not support or encourage rape, and that the controversy has been misconstrued.
"I believe that the idea that our American culture accepts, encourages, or tolerates rape/sexual assault on a widespread scale is false," Borum told FOX 17 in a statement. "I believe that most people are good and that most people are disgusted by even the thought of rape or sexual assault."
A survey was circulated among the Greek communities by GVSU, Borum says, that focused on sexual assault. He says the survey portrayed Greek Life in a negative light by asking suggestive questions.
The town hall styled meeting was dominated from what the former student senator said. It was supposed to focus on protecting students and making them feel safe on campus.
Student senate president Ella Fritzemeier says Borum's comments do not reflect the views of the senate.
Old Bob
It does seem strange that GVSU is having so much trouble with this subject all of a sudden.
Kevin Rahe
When society promotes the idea that there is nothing at all wrong with an act that brings pleasure and that there is no reason to place any limits on where and when it’s appropriate, it is only natural that many are going to come to expect access to it, and even to become righteously indignant when it’s denied them.
Kevin Rahe
Sex outside of marriage is ALWAYS a mistake.
John
Amen to that.
C-winston
Oh Kevin, that is so fucked I don’t even know if I want to make fun of you as it feels unfair. Do you want to talk about how that logic falls flat on it’s face harder than your face clearly hit the floor when you were dropped as a newborn child? …Or are you content to ride your morality boner off into the sunset, justifying rape with the bible?
RG
Liberals think all men are rapest.
Ken Moore
Mr. Borum is acting in the best tradition of our country. The founding fathers risked their lives for the right to speak our minds. Mr. Borum is also paying a high price. May our God bless him for his courage.
cordnerc
You guys must have nothing better to do.
Ken Moore
Mr. Borum is acting in the best tradition of our country’s founding fathers. They risked their fortunes and even their lives for the freedom to speak up. Thanks to them, we are not killed for expressing our minds. Still, Mr. Borum is paying a high price. May our God richly bless him for his courage.