I knew that sexual assault was happening at Baylor University. I chose to be a part of the 2020 class anyway.

The process of picking a college for me occurred during the time when stories about the sexual assault cases involving Baylor football players were breaking in the news. I was a senior at James Martin High School in Arlington, juggling advanced placement classes, working as co-editor-in-chief of the yearbook and going through the nerve-wracking process of college applications.

If you had asked my friends, they would tell you I spent most of my junior year in full support of calling the hogs at the University of Arkansas. However, when I received my acceptance letter in the fall of my senior year, I could not have been more apathetic. Instead, around December I found myself waiting in anticipation for an acceptance letter from Baylor.

The decision to attend Baylor wasn't a hard one. It was where I saw myself. I couldn't wait to get a golden jersey and run my heart out in the Baylor Line during football season. I anticipated learning about my Christian faith in a classroom setting, and could hardly fathom the lifelong friends waiting for me in the land of green and gold.

The hard part was the backlash that came after making my choice, standing by the school I chose, even amid scandal and a damaged reputation. You don't have to worry about something until it becomes yours. So I wasn't too concerned about the sexual assault charges until Baylor became mine.

­­Friends, and even family, would crack jokes at my expense or silently pass judgement on my decision. I retaliated by engaging in as little conversation about the topic as possible and keeping myself ignorant. I refused to learn any more, out of fear that knowing the details of the situation would kill my excitement about my future at Baylor. My subconscious opinion sang to the tune of ignorance is bliss as I hid from news updates that had to do with the downfall of my beloved Baylor.

Once on campus, I found that the university used the opposite approach. Awareness was everywhere. Discussing Title IX was a prevalent part of the student culture. I, along with the rest of the students, completed online training required for registration, and I attended Baylor's second "It's on Us" seminar. The word "consent" was clearly defined, and students were encouraged to look out for one another in potentially dangerous situations. Every one of my professors addressed the touchy subject on the first day of classes.

Looking back, I find it odd that this topic defined my first few months of college, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Coming to Baylor during this season of rebuilding has taught me about the importance of educating myself on all topics, especially the hard ones.

I have since done my research about the allegations against Baylor, and I, as a part of the school, am ashamed about how administrators handled the situations. They should've faced the sexual assault problems head on. The women affected should have been accommodated; their voices should not have been suppressed.

I feel as if I owe it to the women who faced this tragedy to learn their stories and make Baylor a better place because of it. I also see now that having knowledge of the allegations has not diminished my love for my school, like I once feared. The verse Luke 8:17 comes to mind: "For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be known and illuminated."

It's as if God himself is keeping Baylor accountable to the biblical standards it is founded on. To me, this is reason enough for being proud to call Baylor my home. It's a place I see God moving, and a place I love being a part of.

Megan Garland is a freshman journalism student at Baylor University. Email: megangarland@baylor.edu