Story By: Julia Marshall
MONTEVALLO, Ala. — A group of University of Montevallo students held peaceful protest on the Farmer Patio Tuesday as a show of support for Jane Doe’s case against Cornell University and the seven men accused of her sexual assault.
Not too long ago, Cornell may have only known to most as one of a few prestigious Ivy Leagues in the New England region. In the past year, however, the university has become a talking point for its growing number of controversies, ranging from a released video of the Cornell president backing his car into one student and allegedly running over the foot of another to the account of Jane Doe’s 2024 incident and the apparent failings of everyone involved to help her.
Leading the protest in front of Farmer was Amanda Lowman, a UM biology and chemistry student with plans to attend veterinary school.
“We are just here practicing our First Amendment [right],” Lowman said, “and utilizing our Constitution to the benefit of all the Jane Does around the world.”
Protests themselves have been a point of contention in the conversation surrounding Cornell since 2023, when the university faced backlash from its students after a protest in support of Palestine was met with suspensions, expulsions and even a visa revoked for one student.
“I’m grateful to the university for giving us the space to do this safely,” Lowman added.
Some of Tuesday’s protesters revealed more personal reasons for their participation.
“I was stalked on campus,” UM student Josephine Baltscheit said. “The University of Montevallo prides itself on its safety, but it’s clear that date rape culture is still very prevalent on campus.”
I was stalked on campus. The University of Montevallo prides itself on its safety, but it’s clear that date rape culture is still very prevalent on campus.
Josephine Baltscheit, UM student
“It’s gonna take a lot to really change this,” she said.
Another student, Autumn Powell, had a similar inspiration.
“I personally am a victim of sexual assault myself. So I feel very strongly about this, especially for victims who have not gotten the justice they deserve,” Powell said. “Just standing in solidarity with them — it makes me at least feel connected with most, if not all, victims.”
The latest crime statistics available from UMPD indicate that there was one report of rape each year from 2023 to 2025 in residence halls. Statistics show one report of rape on campus in both 2023 and 2024 and two in 2025. There was one report of stalking on campus in 2025.
UMPD encourages anyone on with information about criminal activity to provide a report to the police department in person at the Physical Plant or by phone at (205) 665-6500 for emergencies or (205) 665-6155 for non-emergencies.
The next steps for Jane Doe’s case against Cornell include grand jury proceedings later this month and a court hearing set for Oct. 29.
