A dozen students who were in Brian Schrader’s psychology courses this semester or were his advisees told The Bulletin they were disappointed in the way Emporia State handled the case, and four of them said they were considering going to school elsewhere because of it.

They also expressed support for “Jane,” the Korean undergraduate student who filed a sexual assault complaint after Schrader, a tenured psychology professor, allegedly took her into a storage room, touched her inappropriately, and tried to kiss her. 

Ten of them said they’d like to see Schrader fired over the incident.

“I’m disappointed in how they’re handling it,” said Audree Gosser, freshman psychology major. “I don’t feel that he should work here because it clearly stated that he did violate ESU’s protocol so I feel like there should be some kind of punishment.”

The Bulletin is continuing to withhold Jane’s real name to protect her against the stigma of reporting sexual misconduct. The Bulletin is naming Schrader because of the “preponderance of evidence” that indicated that it was likely that he violated the university’s sexual conduct policy, according to a summary of the investigation, which Jane provided. 

Schrader has been placed on paid administrative leave as of Wednesday, March 28. 

The twelve, who gave separate interviews to The Bulletin, gave remarkably similar answers when asked what the appropriate punishment should be.

“I wish he would be fired,” said Brooklyn Smith, sophomore criminal psychology major. “For the safety of the students and for them to feel comfortable here at school again, and for at least some peace of mind for Jane, I think he needs to be. I don’t think he should be allowed to teach students here anymore.”

Kenton Terry, junior psychology major, said he felt like there needed to be accountability for Schrader. 

“Termination is the only thing I’ll personally accept,” Terry said. “It’s not about having his head on a platter…It’s about the fact that he used his authority to take advantage of a person working hard towards an education and over whom he had power. That is unacceptable on every level.”

Sophie Adams, sophomore nursing major, agreed.

“I understand that firing him will not solve the bigger issue within our society, however if there is nothing done then it continues to negatively affect Jane’s daily life at ESU as well as other students in his classes,” Adams said. 

Jaimala Hughes, freshman psychology major, wasn’t sure that termination was the way to go. 

“I think Dr. Schrader is a good professor. I don’t know him personally or anything about his character so I can’t really say if he should be fired or not. All I know is he gets his job done,” Hughes said. “That doesn’t go to say I don’t support Jane. I would say I’m sorry for the situation she was put in. I’m glad she took initiative when she felt something wasn’t right.”

Smith and two other students also expressed concern that the incident could be repeated. 

“If he’s done this to one student it is possible he’s done it with others, or if he’s getting away with it, will he do it again? These are things we have to think about if he’s still here,” Smith said. “With these things in mind, how could any psych student feel comfortable sitting in his classes?”

A student expressed concern that the result of how the incident was handled could lead to other faculty or staff members repeating the crime. 

“That’s an example to any other faculty member that if I take advantage of my position of power, it’s going to be fine,” said a female student who wanted to remain anonymous. “I wonder what it says to other faculty (that he still works here.) What does that say and represent? That any faculty member can take advantage of anyone because nothing is going to be done about it. What does that say about how faculty and administration respects us as students?”

According to several students, before his classes were reassigned, attendance and class participation dropped. 

“It kind of puts you in a place where you’re like ‘Should I even attend the class anymore?’” said the female student who wanted to remain anonymous. “I don’t want to support him but this is also a credit that a lot of students have to take.” 

She said it affected her performance in the class. 

“There are certain things you should be able to go to your professor for and ask questions, if you have questions,” she said. “I feel that I can’t go up and ask questions. I feel really uncomfortable and like I can’t do that.”

“It’s really discouraging and scary to know that the university knew what happened and continued to let him be involved with us because before I knew, I had multiple meetings with him alone,” said Ruth Daniel, freshman psychology major. “It also feels like proof that everything that women in our society have been taught is true. We need to be protecting ourselves against these dangers.”

Daniel said she skipped class a few times because she didn’t feel comfortable going. 

“I’ve decided I’m not going to come back to Emporia next year,” Daniel said. “I don’t really trust it (the university) anymore.”

Cole Lara, sophomore psychology major, has also considered going elsewhere for school. 

“Before all of this came out, I thought ESU was my home away from home,” Lara said. “I thought I finally found the place I belonged, and then hearing this and seeing how administration has tackled this, it’s a big let down.”

Lara also wanted to express support for Jane. 

“I want her to know, as a sexual assault and sexual harassment survivor myself, you are amazing,” Lara said. “You have done something that you had every right to do and because of this you have ignited a fire within a lot of us students and I hope you know how much we appreciate you. We hope only good things for you in the future.”