50 Shaded Stuper & NDSU

50 Shades should not be shown on the campus of NDSU, paid for by student fees, approved by the administration of the college, because it negates our collegial efforts to provide a safe environment on campus.

Sexual assault hurts people and damages them to the core of their being.  At the heart of every sexual assault case is illegitimate consent. ‘50 Shades’ promotes confusion on legitimate consent and thus promotes a culture wherein men are permitted the abuse of women.

In ‘50 Shades’ Steele breaks up with Grey … so he breaks into her home and is intimate with her without her consent: she says NO and tries to kick him away.  This meets the DOJ legal definition of rape.

Additionally, themes within the movie violate NDSU policy Section 603 on Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Compliance: stalking, sexual harassment, physical sexual assault, using an intoxicant to attain coercive consent, continued pressure to have sex after one party says no, promoting coercive consent, and confused or ambiguous consent as legitimate consent. 

Promoting behavior through "entertainment" that is antithetical to NDSU policy on sexual misconduct is not fostering a safe environment on the campus.  College campuses have a high incidence of sexual assault and showing the film on campus is incongruous with safe environment protocol.

The administration makes cancelations for NDSU all the time in the interest of public safety.  Ladd Hall was recently shut down for a chemical spill and every time we have a serious snow storm the entire campus is shut down.  The dithering the administration has given the students on this issue, i.e. nobody has the authority to cancel the movie, is dishonest.  ‘50 Shades’ should be canceled in the interest of preventative public safety: c.f. the recent case in Cass County Court of gross sexual imposition involving three NDSU international students.

‘American Sniper’ was recently canceled at universities in the United States out of fear it might incite hatred towards people of faith.  Many of us are alarmed that the same considerations and diligence to end sexual misconduct on a college campus are immaterial and extraneous.

For those that may be living with domestic violence, there is a hotline that can be the first step to help. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

CLICK HERE - if you are struggling with pornographic addiction and want to find a way out

Fr. Cheney

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"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering."  

                                                                                                               St. Augustine 430 AD
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50 Shades Day of Prayer - Come and Pray with Us!!!! 

- here at the Newman Center:

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesday, May 5th, will be devoted to God in reparation for the showing of 50 Shades of Grey on the campus of NDSU. People of all faiths are welcome to come the Newman Center Chapel and pray during Exposition of the Most Holy Eucharist 9 am - 9 pm.

In addition the following events and schedule will apply to the day of prayer:

8:30 pm Public Praying of the Holy Rosary
8:50 pm Litany to the Immaculate Heart of Mary the Mother of God
8:55 pm Public prayers of Intercession
9 pm Benediction of the Holy Eucharist (attendees receive a blessing of Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist)
9 pm Celebration of the Holy Mass
9:50 pm - till done - Confession / Spiritual Direction available with a Catholic Priest

We encourage anyone to attend these events as we offer prayers for a safe environment on campus free from the promotion of sexual misconduct as "entertainment ."