University of Iowa President Sally Mason made some comments to a student newspaper earlier in the week that led to student protests.View this story.“I’m not pleased that we have sexual assaults, obviously,” Mason said in an interview with the Daily Iowan. “The goal would be to end that, to never have another sexual assault. That’s probably not a realistic goal just given human nature, and that’s unfortunate.”Mason’s remarks are affecting people in other parts of the state.“I would say it is offensive,” said Rachel Jones, a freshman at Iowa State University.Even though Mason is not the president of their school, Iowa State students have heard about the human nature comment.“This is definitely an opportunity for her to make some positive change, make some positive remarks,” said Sophie Deam, an ISU sophomore. “What she says just kind of reinforces all of, like, the negative stereotypes.”Iowa State junior Jonathon Hamilton said he is not offended by the remarks. He said Mason’s comments about sexual assault make sense to him.“The university is definitely possible to reduce it through programs and awareness about it, but I mean, you’re still going to have cultural outliers who break the law,” he said.Kelly Ziemann is the education/prevention coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Des Moines. She said even though Manson has apologized and announced she was a victim of sexual assault herself, it doesn’t excuse what she said.“It’s offensive to victims of sexual assault violence that are victimized when you have somebody say, ‘Well, that’s human nature that that’s going to happen.’ That negates all the trauma that they’re feeling,” she said.The Board of Regents has scheduled a special meeting to discuss Mason’s remarks. The telephone meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason made some comments to a student newspaper earlier in the week that led to student protests.

View this story.


“I’m not pleased that we have sexual assaults, obviously,” Mason said in an interview with the Daily Iowan. “The goal would be to end that, to never have another sexual assault. That’s probably not a realistic goal just given human nature, and that’s unfortunate.”

Mason’s remarks are affecting people in other parts of the state.

“I would say it is offensive,” said Rachel Jones, a freshman at Iowa State University.

Even though Mason is not the president of their school, Iowa State students have heard about the human nature comment.

“This is definitely an opportunity for her to make some positive change, make some positive remarks,” said Sophie Deam, an ISU sophomore. “What she says just kind of reinforces all of, like, the negative stereotypes.”

Iowa State junior Jonathon Hamilton said he is not offended by the remarks. He said Mason’s comments about sexual assault make sense to him.

“The university is definitely possible to reduce it through programs and awareness about it, but I mean, you’re still going to have cultural outliers who break the law,” he said.

Kelly Ziemann is the education/prevention coordinator for the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Des Moines. She said even though Manson has apologized and announced she was a victim of sexual assault herself, it doesn’t excuse what she said.

“It’s offensive to victims of sexual assault violence that are victimized when you have somebody say, ‘Well, that’s human nature that that’s going to happen.’ That negates all the trauma that they’re feeling,” she said.

The Board of Regents has scheduled a special meeting to discuss Mason’s remarks. The telephone meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday.