Dissertation Proposal Announcement E.d.D. Program: William Zarillo “A Cycle of Institutional Betrayal: Student Activism Against Sexual Violence at Rutgers, 1970–2000”

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Despite the rise of national feminist and anti-rape movements and the implementation of policies such as Title IX and the Clery Act, higher education institutions often fall short in addressing sexual violence, reflecting a pattern of superficial compliance rather than meaningful change. When institutions neglect to address sexual violence effectively, and students perceive this as a systemic failure, the concept of institutional betrayal becomes crucial for understanding how such neglect exacerbates trauma and reinforces cycles of harm. Developed by Jennifer Freyd in 1996, institutional betrayal describes how institutions entrusted with safety and support can compound trauma through neglect or misconduct. This framework is essential for examining how students interpret institutional actions and inactions, as well as how these perceptions drive student activism.

This historical study focuses on Rutgers University between the 1970s through the 1990s, analyzing how students perceived the institution’s handling of sexual violence and how these perceptions mobilized them to advocate for systemic change. The study highlights how emotional responses such as anger and frustration fueled activism and how institutional failures, including the inability to prevent or reduce sexual violence, inadequate support for survivors, and prioritization of reputation over accountability, eroded trust and catalyzed cycles of student-led movements.

Acknowledging the limitations institutions face in addressing sexual violence, this research underscores the importance of confronting historical patterns of neglect. By applying the lens of institutional betrayal to this historical case study, it highlights how sexual violence has long been a persistent issue on college campuses and how students’ continued activism reflects enduring frustration with the lack of meaningful change. This study bridges a gap in the literature by contextualizing institutional failures historically rather than focusing solely on contemporary cases, offering insights into the roots of student activism and institutional betrayal.

To explore these dynamics, this research will utilize archival materials such as student and faculty newspapers, local newspapers, board meeting minutes, administrative records, organizational materials, oral histories, and other relevant documentation of campus activism. These resources will be accessed through Rutgers University Archives and Special Collections, the Rutgers Oral History Archives, university-based organizations and departments, and local newspaper archives.

To attend this event virtually and for more information, please contact academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu.