In December 2017, Liz Dunn ’18 posted a public Facebook post that named several male Middlebury students as perpetrators of various forms of sexual misconduct. The list grew to over 30 students as people submitted more names to Dunn throughout the day. The men were accused of violations such as “[being] emotionally manipulative,” “sexual harassment,” and “[being a] serial rapist.” The Dean of Faculty and Dean of Students wrote to the entire Middlebury College community; the email acknowledged the post, reviewed resources for people experiencing sexual violence, and linked to the Middlebury Respect for Persons Policy and Anti-Harassment/Discrimination Policy. Within two days, Facebook had removed the post.
Referred to as “The List,” a shortened version of Dunn’s title “List of Men to Avoid,” Dunn’s post received press coverage in publications ranging from Babe.net (known for publishing Aziz Ansari’s accuser’s account) and Seven Days. In an interview with Seven Days, Dunn said that they met with a campus judicial officer who requested the names and contact information of the people who had contacted Dunn with reports of sexual misconduct. Dunn refused. After returning from winter break (Dunn posted The List during finals week), the judicial officers informed them that they were facing official college discipline for violating college policy. In the spring, they received their final sanction of official college discipline, or a letter that would remain in their file.
Off-campus Coverage
- “#HerToo: Middlebury Student in Trouble Over List of Accused Sexual Transgressors,” Seven Days
- “Middebury Activist Who Published List of Alleged Rapists May Have Violated Title IX”, reason.com
- “Student faces expulsion after publishing evidence-free list of alleged campus sexual assaulters,” The College Fix
- “Middlebury College student faces penalties after posting list of alleged abusers,” WCAX
- “A college is in meltdown after a student accused more than 30 men of rape on Facebook,” babe.net
Campus Coverage
- “Student Accuses over 30 Men of Sexual Misconduct on Facebook,” The Middlebury Campus
- “Middlebury: Where White Supremacists, but Not Survivors, Are Worthy of Free Speech,” The Middlebury Campus
- “Student Who Posted ‘The List’ Faces Discipline,” The Middlebury Campus
- “How We Move Forward After ‘The List,” The Middlebury Campus
- “Communal Statement in Support of Survivors,” beyond the green