The Vanity Fair of Campus Contrarianism

Some like it contrarian at Columbia, where appearing beyond convention is practically a convention of its own. Devil’s advocate might as well be another credential on the CV.

In the wake of the sexual assault allegations at Cornell University, that particular vanity has acquired a troubling dimension: the tendency to mistake provocation for intellectual independence. Commentators have proven eager to unleash their alternative perspectives. Podcast host Megyn Kelly has speculated that the complainant may have welcomed the attention of her alleged assailants because she was “not the most attractive gal,” while author Kat Rosenfield has questioned the condemnation of the accused, arguing women shouldn’t be considered less autonomous just because they’ve taken drugs.

Such contrarian attitudes have made their way to Columbia’s student body. An investigation for online magazine UnHerd, with Sundial deputy editor Nikos Mohammadi contributing reporting, concluded that Jane Doe wasn’t sexually assaulted under New York state law, despite acknowledging the case is unresolved. It also invoked both her drinking and sexual decisions to make a broader argument about women’s responsibility, all while focusing on Scott Kretzschmar, one of the seven fraternity members facing comparatively less serious allegations.