Convocation aftermath Students continue to feel the impact of demonstration eight months later
Breaking and Recording Records
Cole Emmanuel brings diverse skill set to Men’s LAX Program SPORTS, 16
INVESTIGATIVE, 1A Volume 106, Number 24 www.marquettewire.org
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Tuesday, April 25, 2023
MARQUETTE WIRE SPECIAL REPORT EDITION
Title IX allegations against O’Brien spark debate Community shares mixed reactions to the news of cases By Skyler Chun
skyler.chun@marquette.edu
A previous Marquette Wire investigative report published March 7 found that multiple Title IX cases dealing with sexual harassment had been filed against Rev. Timothy O’Brien, a Marquette priest, professor and founder of the Les Aspin Center program. The Marquette Title IX office confirmed that two cases are still ongoing today. “I emphatically deny these allegations,” O’Brien said in an email. “While this matter is pending, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further as I do not wish to influence or impede the efforts of Marquette University in its investigation. Due to ongoing complications from a recent accident, I am currently on medical disability leave consistent with my doctor’s recommendation.” But while these allegations have been denied by O’Brien, the cases have sparked change and surprise for many Marquette students, staff and faculty, especially those in the Les Aspin program this spring. Until the morning of March 7, the students in the Washington D.C. program were not aware that O’Brien had been living in the Les Aspin Center. “No one knew in terms of no one said anything about it to us,”
Photo courtesy of Marquette Archives
Rev. Timothy O’Brien, founder of the Les Aspin Center has had multiple Title IX claims filed against him by students in the D.C. program last year.
an anonymous student in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. “We had assumed, but it had never been confirmed. No one ever came out and told us who O’Brien was, that he was living here, that he was on medical leave, anything like that.” The student wished to be anonymous, as they are in the
Les Aspin program this semester. While they said the class could sometimes hear when people were upstairs or in the living room area of the center – and would occasionally see O’Brien walking his dog – they were not sure who he was or where he was living. “They never told us that any
of this was happening when we came to D.C., and obviously they couldn’t because of some confidentiality reasons, but it would have been nice to know that he is still living there, because he is still in the building and students still occasionally see him around,” they said. Christopher Murray, interim
director of the Les Aspin Center, sent an email to the spring cohort, responding to the report. The statement read: “I imagine there may be feelings of frustration, anger and sadness among the group. I want you to know that I am available See TITLE IX page 3A
Marquette professor Todd Hernández dies unexpectedly Campus community to remember him in vigil this Friday By Izzy Fonfara Drewel
isabella.fonfaradrewel@marquette.edu
www.marquettewire.org
Professor Todd Hernández died Sunday due to unexpected complications with a minor routine surgery. He is survived by his wife, Paola, and two daughters, Camila and Sofia. Hernández joined Marquette in 2004 as a faculty member before becoming a full-time professor in
2019. He was a professor of Spanish and applied linguistics in addition to being the Language Program Coordinator for Spanish courses 1003 to 2003. Faculty remember Hernández as a generous person with a kind heart. “I remember when I first came here in 2014 and I was fresh from
grad school when he was here and he was so generous and helped me along the way, very supportive. I only have good things to say about Todd honestly,” Michelle Medeiros, a professor in the Spanish department, said. In addition to his generosity, Medeiros also said he was dedicated to
the education of not only himself but his daughters and his students. He organized research studies and study abroad opportunities to help the students become more immersed and learn more about Spanish culture. A vigil will be held to honor Hernández in Lalumiere Language Hall Friday at 4 p.m.
Index
News Eid al-Fitr celebration
Arts & Entertainment Orchestra staple
Opinions Diversity in Higher Ed
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FAST FACTS................................................3 CROSSWORD.............................................7 COMICS......................................................7 A&E.............................................................8 OPINIONS.................................................10 SPORTS.....................................................16
Marquette and greater Milwaukee celebrate the end of Ramadan
Father Michael Zeps has been a part of the group since its inception
How Marquette can provide for its students in the decades to come