By Duke Staff
UPDATE 2:49 10/23/15
President Dougherty emailed a letter of apology to Student Government Association President John Foster Friday morning. In the letter, Dougherty apologizes to those who were offended, but also defends his position, saying:
“….I made the point that life off campus allows for greater access to alcohol, sometimes in violation of state law. It also allows for sexual behaviors that we cannot accept on the campus of a Catholic university.”
The full text of the letter can be found here: President Dougherty’s Letter
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE BEGINS HERE:
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “libertine” means “a person … who leads an immoral life and is mainly interested in sexual pleasure.”
It is an ugly, unflattering word to use to describe someone. And yet it is exactly the word Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty used to describe non-resident Duquesne students during his Town Hall address to faculty Tuesday afternoon.
“We know why they move off-campus,” Dougherty said, referring to juniors and seniors who decide not to stay in dorms. “They flaunt [sic] the state liquor laws and they live a libertine lifestyle that is not allowed on campus.
“We are aware of the mardis gras that goes on [off-campus] every weekend.”
Dougherty made these comments as part of his address to campus faculty about the university’s financial situation. According to Dougherty and Vice President for Management and Business David Beaupre, there are 304 empty beds in campus dorms this semester. This means that only 92 percent of campus beds are occupied, compared to 98 percent in the spring.
As Dougherty pointed out, when juniors and seniors move off-campus, the university loses room and board money. As more and more juniors and seniors move to neighborhoods such as the South Side, the Hill District and Oakland, university officials are trying to determine why.
More than half of The Duke’s staff lives off-campus. Perhaps we can provide some insight into why students move away; other than flaunting liquor laws and leading libertine lives, of course.
The primary reason to move off campus is price. Price, price, price. Room and board rates start at $5,000 and can reach $7,000. This means students are spending at least $1,250 each month, which is roughly double what a student renting a house on the South Side spends on rent, utilities and groceries.
On top of that, Duquesne only offers one apartment-style dorm: Brottier Hall. Although there are 304 empty beds on campus this year, Brottier is completely full. Students want kitchens, areas to entertain guests, and some freedom to decorate, rearrange and furnish — and they can get that off-campus.
The staff of The Duke are not libertines, along with the many students who choose to live off campus — and we have the work ethic and GPAs to prove it. Saying that students only move off-campus to drink and party is offensive and inaccurate. That might be the motivation for some students, but certainly not all. In addition, students who wish to live “mardis gras” lives do so regardless of the locale. A five-second perusal of the Duquesne Police’s weekly crime log shows that students regularly drink, party and abuse drugs on campus. The Duke staff would like to encourage the university’s administration to dig a little deeper if they really want to determine the reasons upperclassmen are abandoning campus.
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As an alumni, I am saddened by Dougherty’s statements. My son went to Point Park because they gave him more financial aid. While I would have liked for him to go to Duquesne, he got one helluva education at Point Park. And not as expensive for this single mom. Oh, wait, am I libertine because I am divorced? How sad
As an alumni, I am saddened by Dougherty’s statements. My son went to Point Park because they gave him more financial aid. While I would have liked for him to go to Duquesne, he got one helluva education at Point Park. And not as expensive for this single mom. Oh, wait, am I libertine because I am divorced? How sad
As an alumni, I am saddened by Dougherty’s statements. My son went to Point Park because they gave him more financial aid. While I would have liked for him to go to Duquesne, he got one helluva education at Point Park. And not as expensive for this single mom. Oh, wait, am I libertine because I am divorced? How sad
I’m really enjoying this situation Charlie has gotten himself into at Duquesne. My husband must be a “libertine.” He lived off campus after his freshman year. He has a history/economics degree from Duquesne, a Masters of Science from Carnegie Mellon University and is President of an Economic Development agency in Ohio. He is a poor example, according to Charlie, of someone who lived off campus.
I’m really enjoying this situation Charlie has gotten himself into at Duquesne. My husband must be a “libertine.” He lived off campus after his freshman year. He has a history/economics degree from Duquesne, a Masters of Science from Carnegie Mellon University and is President of an Economic Development agency in Ohio. He is a poor example, according to Charlie, of someone who lived off campus.
I’m really enjoying this situation Charlie has gotten himself into at Duquesne. My husband must be a “libertine.” He lived off campus after his freshman year. He has a history/economics degree from Duquesne, a Masters of Science from Carnegie Mellon University and is President of an Economic Development agency in Ohio. He is a poor example, according to Charlie, of someone who lived off campus.
I would like to add how absurd it is that you cannot change the temperature of your room. We have rock solid mattresses, what feels like two electrical outlets, windows that do not open (towers) and some rooms are a constant 800 degrees. I pay too much to be uncomfortable. Finally, I would like to add that the overnight sign in for same sex is ridiculous. The policy is that those who wish to stay overnight must be signed in before 12 and if they are not then they must find somewhere else to sleep or sleep in the towers mpr. My comment on this is that flights are not always on time, traffic in Pittsburgh is always bad, people have things happen in life where they cannot always make it to where they need to be on time. What is the difference between signing someone (of the same sex) in at 12:00 or at 12:45? I am ranting and I have a lot more that I could say but my point is that there are other things , things that my money is going toward that make me want to move off campus – none of which include alcohol or fornication.
I would like to add how absurd it is that you cannot change the temperature of your room. We have rock solid mattresses, what feels like two electrical outlets, windows that do not open (towers) and some rooms are a constant 800 degrees. I pay too much to be uncomfortable. Finally, I would like to add that the overnight sign in for same sex is ridiculous. The policy is that those who wish to stay overnight must be signed in before 12 and if they are not then they must find somewhere else to sleep or sleep in the towers mpr. My comment on this is that flights are not always on time, traffic in Pittsburgh is always bad, people have things happen in life where they cannot always make it to where they need to be on time. What is the difference between signing someone (of the same sex) in at 12:00 or at 12:45? I am ranting and I have a lot more that I could say but my point is that there are other things , things that my money is going toward that make me want to move off campus – none of which include alcohol or fornication.
I would like to add how absurd it is that you cannot change the temperature of your room. We have rock solid mattresses, what feels like two electrical outlets, windows that do not open (towers) and some rooms are a constant 800 degrees. I pay too much to be uncomfortable. Finally, I would like to add that the overnight sign in for same sex is ridiculous. The policy is that those who wish to stay overnight must be signed in before 12 and if they are not then they must find somewhere else to sleep or sleep in the towers mpr. My comment on this is that flights are not always on time, traffic in Pittsburgh is always bad, people have things happen in life where they cannot always make it to where they need to be on time. What is the difference between signing someone (of the same sex) in at 12:00 or at 12:45? I am ranting and I have a lot more that I could say but my point is that there are other things , things that my money is going toward that make me want to move off campus – none of which include alcohol or fornication.
Perhaps the commenters should read: “The Coddling of the American Mind” from a recent issue of Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/ Don’t forget to look up the definition of “coddling” first.
Perhaps the commenters should read: “The Coddling of the American Mind” from a recent issue of Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/ Don’t forget to look up the definition of “coddling” first.
Perhaps the commenters should read: “The Coddling of the American Mind” from a recent issue of Atlantic. http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/ Don’t forget to look up the definition of “coddling” first.
I lived on campus for the required two years and we had cockroaches in the dorm! They would run up the garbage chute in towers and then get into the bathroom. When you turned the bathroom light on, they would scatter. There was a dining hall on the bottom floor of the dorm! When we called the campus exterminator, we were told they only sprayed one day per week so we would have to wait 5 days. For the amount of money you are paying to live in a tiny room and a shared bathroom, the least we ask is that it be free of bugs! But I guess students only move off campus to drink and have sex…
I lived on campus for the required two years and we had cockroaches in the dorm! They would run up the garbage chute in towers and then get into the bathroom. When you turned the bathroom light on, they would scatter. There was a dining hall on the bottom floor of the dorm! When we called the campus exterminator, we were told they only sprayed one day per week so we would have to wait 5 days. For the amount of money you are paying to live in a tiny room and a shared bathroom, the least we ask is that it be free of bugs! But I guess students only move off campus to drink and have sex…
I lived on campus for the required two years and we had cockroaches in the dorm! They would run up the garbage chute in towers and then get into the bathroom. When you turned the bathroom light on, they would scatter. There was a dining hall on the bottom floor of the dorm! When we called the campus exterminator, we were told they only sprayed one day per week so we would have to wait 5 days. For the amount of money you are paying to live in a tiny room and a shared bathroom, the least we ask is that it be free of bugs! But I guess students only move off campus to drink and have sex…
The ultimate in liberal elitist thinking has been displayed by this man. If it weren’t for the music therapy department’s ability to educate my daughter, I would not spend a DIME on this university. It’s Catholic in name only for the most part. It is a private elitist college with no regard for middle class people who are stuck in this mire of gouging because of all the money poured into education by governments and endowments. We don’t qualify for financial aid because we aren’t poor, but paying $40,000 per year when you make $150,000 per year means college education makes it hard to stay above water. My daughter was shoved into a double at Des Places with 3 girls last (sophomore) year BECAUSE JUNIORS AND SENIORS STAYED ON CAMPUS. She is a vegetarian and could eat very little from her expensive meal plan that offers mostly junk food. So on top of the meal plan, we had to pay for healthy food. Hello, Mr. Dougherty–it is the COST of living on campus that forces them to move. Stop whining about empty beds when you created a monster last year. Why do you think they all moved off campus? Pathetic.
The ultimate in liberal elitist thinking has been displayed by this man. If it weren’t for the music therapy department’s ability to educate my daughter, I would not spend a DIME on this university. It’s Catholic in name only for the most part. It is a private elitist college with no regard for middle class people who are stuck in this mire of gouging because of all the money poured into education by governments and endowments. We don’t qualify for financial aid because we aren’t poor, but paying $40,000 per year when you make $150,000 per year means college education makes it hard to stay above water. My daughter was shoved into a double at Des Places with 3 girls last (sophomore) year BECAUSE JUNIORS AND SENIORS STAYED ON CAMPUS. She is a vegetarian and could eat very little from her expensive meal plan that offers mostly junk food. So on top of the meal plan, we had to pay for healthy food. Hello, Mr. Dougherty–it is the COST of living on campus that forces them to move. Stop whining about empty beds when you created a monster last year. Why do you think they all moved off campus? Pathetic.
The ultimate in liberal elitist thinking has been displayed by this man. If it weren’t for the music therapy department’s ability to educate my daughter, I would not spend a DIME on this university. It’s Catholic in name only for the most part. It is a private elitist college with no regard for middle class people who are stuck in this mire of gouging because of all the money poured into education by governments and endowments. We don’t qualify for financial aid because we aren’t poor, but paying $40,000 per year when you make $150,000 per year means college education makes it hard to stay above water. My daughter was shoved into a double at Des Places with 3 girls last (sophomore) year BECAUSE JUNIORS AND SENIORS STAYED ON CAMPUS. She is a vegetarian and could eat very little from her expensive meal plan that offers mostly junk food. So on top of the meal plan, we had to pay for healthy food. Hello, Mr. Dougherty–it is the COST of living on campus that forces them to move. Stop whining about empty beds when you created a monster last year. Why do you think they all moved off campus? Pathetic.
I live and run a mobile commerce company on the South Side. While I agree the word “libertine” was a poor choice, parents, faculty and administration need to come spend a little time with us on Friday and Saturday night.
Last night was no different… The behavior is not a few immature students. The continued destruction of residents property and quite frankly, the making of our homes into outdoor lavatories is unacceptable.
The level of intoxication is scary along with the high risk behaviors of young women walking alone at 3 AM on Sarah Street. The weekend before classes started was absolutely unbearable. Underage drinking, loud and obnoxious behavior, and a whole lot of Duquesne t-shirts around.
We don’t know that they’re all Duquesne students but some have been drunk enough to tell me – especially the ones who tried to urinate into my half open front door about a month ago. (Yes, I do mean my front door and I was reading on my tablet about 3 feet from it.)
Now isn’t a time to make excuses or hide behind someone’s poor word choice. There is a problem and the university community needs to face up to it. I sadly have a front row seat to the consequences.
I live and run a mobile commerce company on the South Side. While I agree the word “libertine” was a poor choice, parents, faculty and administration need to come spend a little time with us on Friday and Saturday night.
Last night was no different… The behavior is not a few immature students. The continued destruction of residents property and quite frankly, the making of our homes into outdoor lavatories is unacceptable.
The level of intoxication is scary along with the high risk behaviors of young women walking alone at 3 AM on Sarah Street. The weekend before classes started was absolutely unbearable. Underage drinking, loud and obnoxious behavior, and a whole lot of Duquesne t-shirts around.
We don’t know that they’re all Duquesne students but some have been drunk enough to tell me – especially the ones who tried to urinate into my half open front door about a month ago. (Yes, I do mean my front door and I was reading on my tablet about 3 feet from it.)
Now isn’t a time to make excuses or hide behind someone’s poor word choice. There is a problem and the university community needs to face up to it. I sadly have a front row seat to the consequences.
I live and run a mobile commerce company on the South Side. While I agree the word “libertine” was a poor choice, parents, faculty and administration need to come spend a little time with us on Friday and Saturday night.
Last night was no different… The behavior is not a few immature students. The continued destruction of residents property and quite frankly, the making of our homes into outdoor lavatories is unacceptable.
The level of intoxication is scary along with the high risk behaviors of young women walking alone at 3 AM on Sarah Street. The weekend before classes started was absolutely unbearable. Underage drinking, loud and obnoxious behavior, and a whole lot of Duquesne t-shirts around.
We don’t know that they’re all Duquesne students but some have been drunk enough to tell me – especially the ones who tried to urinate into my half open front door about a month ago. (Yes, I do mean my front door and I was reading on my tablet about 3 feet from it.)
Now isn’t a time to make excuses or hide behind someone’s poor word choice. There is a problem and the university community needs to face up to it. I sadly have a front row seat to the consequences.
Who instituted the South Side Shuttle?
Who instituted the South Side Shuttle?
Who instituted the South Side Shuttle?
What I do not understand is why the sign in rules are so strict, with the exception of Brottier. Duquesne does not allow opposite sex overnight guests, but allows for same sex over night guests a few nights per week. Why do those who have a same sex significant other get to have them sleep over while those with opposite sex SO’s cannot? It seems a bit unfair when not EVERYONE “partake in a libertine lifestyle,” but all Duquesne students with opposite sex significant others are not allowed to have them sleepover.
What I do not understand is why the sign in rules are so strict, with the exception of Brottier. Duquesne does not allow opposite sex overnight guests, but allows for same sex over night guests a few nights per week. Why do those who have a same sex significant other get to have them sleep over while those with opposite sex SO’s cannot? It seems a bit unfair when not EVERYONE “partake in a libertine lifestyle,” but all Duquesne students with opposite sex significant others are not allowed to have them sleepover.
What I do not understand is why the sign in rules are so strict, with the exception of Brottier. Duquesne does not allow opposite sex overnight guests, but allows for same sex over night guests a few nights per week. Why do those who have a same sex significant other get to have them sleep over while those with opposite sex SO’s cannot? It seems a bit unfair when not EVERYONE “partake in a libertine lifestyle,” but all Duquesne students with opposite sex significant others are not allowed to have them sleepover.
As I read all these comments about President Dougherty it reminds me of a Quote by Abe Lincoln that goes like this ” it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt “. That speaks volumes for the DU president. It’s not about the cost of room and board, or about the fact our students are easily offended or coddled in our society today it’s about a Catholic school president making such a judgmental non Christian comment about the very students that he should be supporting and caring for. It seems as though he made such an unfair, highly opinionated remark that he has no facts or basis to support. I am sure that the Pope would be very saddened by his remarks. I am hoping that all would see this as a means to an end. We really need a positive, encouraging, supportive President that wants to listen to the very students that make DU what it is. I am a very sad parent of a junior who lives off campus for the very first time and learning important life values of taking care of himself, making decisions on his own, budgeting his money and growing into a fine young man. That’s what’s really important and I am offended that you said these things about my son.
As I read all these comments about President Dougherty it reminds me of a Quote by Abe Lincoln that goes like this ” it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt “. That speaks volumes for the DU president. It’s not about the cost of room and board, or about the fact our students are easily offended or coddled in our society today it’s about a Catholic school president making such a judgmental non Christian comment about the very students that he should be supporting and caring for. It seems as though he made such an unfair, highly opinionated remark that he has no facts or basis to support. I am sure that the Pope would be very saddened by his remarks. I am hoping that all would see this as a means to an end. We really need a positive, encouraging, supportive President that wants to listen to the very students that make DU what it is. I am a very sad parent of a junior who lives off campus for the very first time and learning important life values of taking care of himself, making decisions on his own, budgeting his money and growing into a fine young man. That’s what’s really important and I am offended that you said these things about my son.
As I read all these comments about President Dougherty it reminds me of a Quote by Abe Lincoln that goes like this ” it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt “. That speaks volumes for the DU president. It’s not about the cost of room and board, or about the fact our students are easily offended or coddled in our society today it’s about a Catholic school president making such a judgmental non Christian comment about the very students that he should be supporting and caring for. It seems as though he made such an unfair, highly opinionated remark that he has no facts or basis to support. I am sure that the Pope would be very saddened by his remarks. I am hoping that all would see this as a means to an end. We really need a positive, encouraging, supportive President that wants to listen to the very students that make DU what it is. I am a very sad parent of a junior who lives off campus for the very first time and learning important life values of taking care of himself, making decisions on his own, budgeting his money and growing into a fine young man. That’s what’s really important and I am offended that you said these things about my son.
As a parent with students in other colleges I am disappointed in the room and board offered by Duquesne. My daughter won’t eat the food because it is so un-appealing. Yet if she wants to give a meal that we paid for to another student that isn’t allowed. If she gets up and wants a late breakfast then lunch that isn’t allowed because of the minimum wait time between swipes. It is really just another profit center for the university and doesn’t allow the student any option for using the money that we have to pay even though we know she won’t take care of it.
The dorms are under equipped. At most other colleges they have one room that serves as a shared kitchen amongst one or more floors. Don’t feel like eating cafeteria food, make a quick grilled cheese. Want to make a quick snack to share with friends, bake cookies. Not at Duquesne though. The rooms are old and tired. Instead of that performing arts center that few students will ever take advantage of, the money would be better spent on rooms that almost all Freshmen and Sophomores are required to use.
As a parent with students in other colleges I am disappointed in the room and board offered by Duquesne. My daughter won’t eat the food because it is so un-appealing. Yet if she wants to give a meal that we paid for to another student that isn’t allowed. If she gets up and wants a late breakfast then lunch that isn’t allowed because of the minimum wait time between swipes. It is really just another profit center for the university and doesn’t allow the student any option for using the money that we have to pay even though we know she won’t take care of it.
The dorms are under equipped. At most other colleges they have one room that serves as a shared kitchen amongst one or more floors. Don’t feel like eating cafeteria food, make a quick grilled cheese. Want to make a quick snack to share with friends, bake cookies. Not at Duquesne though. The rooms are old and tired. Instead of that performing arts center that few students will ever take advantage of, the money would be better spent on rooms that almost all Freshmen and Sophomores are required to use.
As a parent with students in other colleges I am disappointed in the room and board offered by Duquesne. My daughter won’t eat the food because it is so un-appealing. Yet if she wants to give a meal that we paid for to another student that isn’t allowed. If she gets up and wants a late breakfast then lunch that isn’t allowed because of the minimum wait time between swipes. It is really just another profit center for the university and doesn’t allow the student any option for using the money that we have to pay even though we know she won’t take care of it.
The dorms are under equipped. At most other colleges they have one room that serves as a shared kitchen amongst one or more floors. Don’t feel like eating cafeteria food, make a quick grilled cheese. Want to make a quick snack to share with friends, bake cookies. Not at Duquesne though. The rooms are old and tired. Instead of that performing arts center that few students will ever take advantage of, the money would be better spent on rooms that almost all Freshmen and Sophomores are required to use.