October 1, 2020 Volume 103 Number 06 THE DUQUESNE DUKE www.duqsm.com PROUDLY SERVING OUR CAMPUS SINCE 1925 Duquesne agrees to get police body cams AAUP T h e S demand t y o t r i i n e u BLACK s m o m Shank's VOICES f o C D MATTER u q k u c e a l s B n reinstate- e ’ s ment Kellen Stepler editor-in-chief Kellen Stepler editor-in-chief Responding to demands from Dannielle Brown, mother of Citing due process rights and Marquis Jaylen “JB” Brown who academic freedom, the American fell to his death out of a Brottier Association of University Pro- Hall window in October 2018, fessors (AAUP) wrote a letter to Duquesne University announced Duquesne President Ken Gorm- Friday that they had purchased ley Sunday asking for suspended body cameras for their police of- education professor Gary Shank ficers, which they expect to ar- to be reinstated at the university. Courtesy of WESA rive in three weeks. Duquesne agrees to provide body cameras to all Duquesne Police officers, as demanded by Dannielle Brown. Shank, a tenured education The announcement came three professor at Duquesne since days after Brown’s most recent recent steps towards acquiring incident that took her son’s life,” cannot tolerate non-compliance 1997, was suspended from the protest on campus. body cameras, Duquesne’s atti- the statement says. “Duquesne with our safety measures or dis- university Sept. 11 after using The advocacy group, #Justice- tude toward the #Justice4Jaylen- has only offered Ms. Brown access rupting our students’ academic the N-word during a lecture. 4JaylenBrown, released a state- Brown movement has been less to files from an internal investiga- pursuits,” according to the state- In a recorded video that gained ment Tuesday, Sept. 29 noting than ideal. Ms. Brown has time tion led by its own legal team.” ment by university officials. traction on social media, Shank the “recent victory” in the cam- and time again asked Duquesne The statement says that Brown #Justice4JaylenBrown’s state- tells his Educational Psychol- paign for justice for JB. for a seat at the table to help make is hopeful that Duquesne “will ment noted that Brown “prac- ogy class over Zoom that he is “It is clear that Duquesne Uni- Duquesne a safer environment make good on its recent an- tices strict measures to prevent giving them “permission” to versity officials decided to ac- for its students.” nouncement that it has ordered the spread of COVID-19 at her use the word in a “pedagogical quire body cameras as a direct The advocates’ statement notes body cameras, there has been events, including mandatory sense.” Duquesne has given him result of Ms. Brown's tireless that Duquesne’s announcement nothing but empty promises from mask wearing by all participants, an ultimatum — resign, or face advocacy, despite Duquesne's at- of ordering body cameras comes a Duquesne to date.” the use of hand sanitizer, and the dismissal. His attorney, Warner tempts to distance itself from her day after her attempted donation “Ms. Brown looks forward to sanitization of all equipment af- Mariani, said that Shank has no cause,” #Justice4JaylenBrown’s to assist in funding body cameras opportunities to foster dialogue ter each use.” intention to resign. statement said. was declined. with the school to translate its “Not a single COVID-19 case Following the lecture, Shank In a Sept. 25 statement, the Dannielle Brown, on day 89 words into meaningful action,” has been reported as a result of wrote an email to the class with university said it funded the of her hunger strike, has been it says. attending any of Ms. Brown’s the subject line, “my most sincere camera program and that the protesting Duquesne’s handling The statement provides an events, including her 24/7 stay apology.” School of Education first-year cost is $90,000; then of the death of her son, Marquis update to her third demand, for at Freedom Corner,” the state- dean Gretchen Generett sent a costing $43,000 annually there- Jaylen “JB” Brown, in October the university to train campus ment said. letter to students within moments after. Duquesne is working with 2018. She has issued three de- law enforcement officers in de- The advocacy group also re- of learning about the incident, the union that supports the pub- mands of Duquesne: for her to escalation and to respond appro- sponded to Duquesne’s concerns writing, “[T]o be clear, I believe lic safety officers to “complete be given access to the file on JB’s priately to mental health crises of disrupting students’ educa- that there is never a time, peda- the due diligence relative for death to conduct her own inves- among its students; and that “ap- tion, writing that, students call gogically or otherwise, for a pro- adopting the cameras for use.” tigation, that Duquesne requires propriately trained law enforce- Brown’s presence “inspiration- fessor to create a hostile learning “While city and Duquesne po- its officers with body cameras ment officers should have been al.” environment.” lice officers have interviewed mul- and increased crisis-intervention fully alert and prepared to inter- “Ms. Brown is sympathetic to AAUP’s letter, written by Gregory tiple witnesses who have shared training. vene to prevent a person acting the stresses and demands stu- Scholtz, director of AAUP’s depart- the same account relative to what The advocates’ statement erratically from posing danger to dents face while they study, which ment of academic freedom, tenure happened on that evening when says that Brown has been “clear himself or others.” is why she has voluntarily re- and governance, cites academic Marquis “Jaylen” Brown tragical- and consistent about her three Duquesne’s news release also duced her hours near campus and freedom statements from their or- ly died, and we believe without a simple demands.” They write addresses recent statements has conducted noise tests to en- ganization, along with policies from doubt that our officers acted in the that her first demand, releasing made by the university regard- sure the bullhorn she uses while Duquesne’s faculty handbook. most prudent manner possible, all information related to JB’s ing Brown violating COVID-19 protesting cannot be heard inside Scholtz quoted an AAUP state- we believe that body cameras are death allowing her to conduct conduct policies, after events on the university’s library or nearby ment in the letter, “An institution a public safety and community re- an independent investigation, Sept. 11 and Sept. 22. buildings. Duquesne's students of higher learning fails to fulfill lations best practice,” according to has not been met — contrary to “While Duquesne has worked continue to stand with Ms. Brown its mission if it asserts the power the news release. Duquesne’s claims. to respectfully accommodate Ms. and lead protests and actions to proscribe ideas — and racial The university noted that they “Her investigator has never Brown’s right to share her mes- alongside her, amplifying her de- or ethnic slurs, sexist epithets, had been looking into body cam- been given full access without sage, and very much wishes to see SLUR — page 2 eras before JB’s death. stipulation to all Duquesne Uni- reach closure for all concerned in see CAMS — page 2 “While Ms. Brown welcomes versity records relating to the this tragic matter, the university ... opinions features sports a & e Follow us on... Americans com- Weddings & Concerts: Pirates look Comedy acts and mit to meditation COVID style toward '21 iconic albums Staf writer Luke Mindfulness The pandemic can't The arts scene becomes the new stop celebrations of Henne breaks down brings joy to the norm for many marriage & music BUCS' outlook Pittsburgh area @theduquesneduke PAGE 4 PAGE 6 PAGE 7 PAGE 10 2 THEDUQUESNEDUKE Duquesne agrees to Dannielle POLICE briefs FOLLOW Brown's demand for body cams Here are the crimes reported from Monday, Sept. 14 to Monday, Sept. from CAMS — page 1 US 28. mands for action to Duquesne of- ficials,” the statement said. On Sept. 15, a resident student ON Duquesne officials have also reported that a non-affiliate male filed a motion asking the Al- who had made threats to her non- INSTAGRAM legheny County Common Pleas affiliate boyfriend was on cam- Court to require Brown to specify pus. The threats involved use of exactly what she intends to sue a firearm and physical violence. the university for. According to Duquesne Police located the male Allegheny County court records, subject and found him to be carry- Brown filed a praecipe for writ ing a BB gun replica of a Springfield of summons Feb. 15, 2019 — a XD 40-caliber handgun. The male was issued a defiant trespass warn- notice filled out by someone that Griffin Sendek/ multimedia Editor ing and removed from campus. A lets the other party know that All Duquesne Police officers will soon be equipped with body cameras. Dannielle they intend to sue. That was the Brown and her supporters hope this will increase police accountability. student was referred to the Office last filing from Brown. Duquesne said that by asking color — their parents, and par- of Student Conduct for possession On Sept. 17, Duquesne filed a the court to move the legal pro- ticularly in times of crisis.” of alcohol. notice requesting Brown to file cess forward, they hope that the Duquesne announced on Tues- a complaint. The administration traditional methods of obtaining day the first of a monthly Prayer On Sept. 18, a student had her car said the court has ordered Brown evidence and testimony “will al- for Unity service taking place damaged when another student ac- to do so.