Assumption is Moving Forward

Danielle Aiken and Matthew Willar 

Editors 

Assumption University students took to the streets of Worcester for an all-student day of community service on April 7. The event, titled “1904 Day of Service,” was meant to “reflect[s] the University’s Assumptionist-inspired commitment to serving our neighbors and collectively cultivating the common good,” according to Assumption’s President Greg Weiner in an email sent to students on Feb. 10. 

Assumption’s 1904 Day of Service has been in the process of becoming a reality for the past few years with the help of numerous offices and departments on campus. In an email sent to students on March 31 by Vice President of Student Affairs Kristen White, details that the service day represents “a campus-wide, mission-driven initiative that reflects our commitment to serving the Worcester community.” 

Additionally, Weiner notably addressed all participants about their value at the conclusion of the 1904 Day of Service. “The impact you made on our community, for our mission, for the kind of education we seek to provide – it was profound, Weiner said. “When I’m talking about Assumption students, I always say that what distinguishes you most is the unique nature of your education and your unique character.” This long-standing reputation was threatened when Assumption made national news due to the events of Oct. 1. 

On Dec. 31, it was reported by the Telegram & Gazette that five Assumption students were charged with kidnapping a man who came to campus under the impression that he was meeting with someone on the online dating app, Tinder. 

According to the Telegram & Gazette, the man arrived on campus to meet with a student in Alumni Hall, but was instead met with nearly 30 students. The students labeled the man as a sexual predator, according to court documents obtained by the Telegram & Gazette. Students told police they were inspired by a trend on TikTok, according to NBC Boston.

In March, lawyers representing the students asked Worcester Central District Court Judge Michael Allard-Madaus to dismiss their cases, but their requests were not granted. The lawyers argued that campus police misrepresented the interaction, citing that the video does not show who specifically assaulted the man. The video was not shared in court. 

Allard-Madaus officially dismissed most of the charges on April 8, according to court records. The students are no longer enrolled at Assumption, according to the Telegram & Gazette. 

Meanwhile, as of April 28, two of the former students are still facing charges: misleading a police officer and assault and battery. Also, according to the Telegram & Gazette, the two students are set to appear in court on May 9 for a status hearing. 

In the aftermath of the incident, university administrators and student organizations have been identifying ways to educate and move forward. In an email sent to the student body on Jan. 6, Weiner wrote, in part:

“Assumption students do so much good on our campus, in our community and in our world. We all wish we were in the news for that. But even—perhaps especially—now, we still have an opportunity to demonstrate who Assumption students are. You are determined. You are curious. You act with integrity. And you believe in holding the University and one another accountable when we fall short of those values. Part of our character as a community is asking what we can learn from these events.”

Students received another email from Weiner on Jan. 22 regarding an upcoming gathering in the University chapel. In part, he says, “I am writing to invite our community to begin that process of reflection and recommitment to our values. We will gather in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on Jan. 30 during Common Hour for ‘Community & The Company of Friends’ to explore the meaning of genuine community.” 

Further within the email, he also includes, “Now that we are back together on campus starting a new semester, it is a perfect time to renew our belief in the values we share.” 

These values were most notably acknowledged on April 7, when over 1,200 students, alongside more than 100 faculty and staff, devoted a day to give back to the community. The 1904 Day of Service allowed for students to volunteer at over 39 different sites in the surrounding Worcester area. 

Some of the service locations included the Worcester Housing Authority, the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) World Class Service Dogs, Habitat for Humanity, and the EcoTarium. 

Students met the respective needs of each location, such as weed whacking, painting, fixing and building fences, spreading mulch, and planting trees. 

Sydney Barber, a junior biology and pre-clinical health science major, spent the day at Worcester Housing Authority. Here, she assisted with cleaning yards and helping the tenants maintain their outside properties. “Although it was raining and cold, we made the most of it. The day overall went by relatively well.” 

At the same time, other students found themselves inside office buildings assisting staff members at various locations. 

Julia Forest, a junior communication and media major, volunteered at OpenSky Community Services on Grove Street in Worcester. 

She recalled, “Although we found ourselves inside an office environment, at the end of the day, we helped them in some capacity. Something that might have taken the staff the entire day was finished a lot sooner.” 

Although an office space is not something immediately thought of when it comes to volunteering, Assumption students were, nonetheless, still able to help. Students might not have replicated the exact work of the office employees, but they were still able to contribute to the Worcester community. 

“The tasks that may have seemed smaller to us meant a great deal to them, which seems to be the entire purpose of the service day,” Forest added. 

The 1904 Day of Service was able to bring students together in an effort to remind the community of Assumption’s standing values. As the university looks ahead, students and staff are continuing to uphold these values to the best of their ability. As Weiner states regarding Assumption as a whole, “Assumption University is committed to ensuring a campus environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”