A group of "concerned” Rhodes University graduates have written an open letter to Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela expressing its disappointment at the way the institution handled the rape protest. The group‚ who claim they were students at Rhodes University in the 1990s‚ said it was “disturbing” that the current students were facing the same problems they faced during their time at the institution.“It is heartbreaking that young students‚ who are seeking nothing more than to obtain a good education in order to contribute to society‚ have to worry about their safety in an environment where they should feel safe‚” the letter reads.The former students said they were also disappointed that the institution had called the police to intervene in the protest.“Young women protesting topless can hardly be regarded as a threat to anyone’s safety. Indeed‚ we saw this as a desperate cry to be recognised.“There may be a number of immediate measures you can take to start addressing the issues raised by the students. One of these could be to start addressing the process students have to go through when reporting rapes‚” the letter reads. Read the full letterDear Dr MabizelaThis is a letter from some concerned Rhodes graduates which we hope you will take time to read. We have been very disappointed to hear what is happening on our campus at the moment.Many of us were at Rhodes in the 1990s, and it is disturbing to hear that the issues that faced us back then are still issues facing students today. Rape is indeed a scourge that affects everyone in society. It is heartbreaking that young students, who are seeking nothing more than to obtain a good education in order to contribute to society, have to worry about their safety in an environment where they should feel safe.We do not envy you your job Dr Mabizela, but we also do not agree that a university has to be a microcosm of the worst parts of society. We disagree that because violence against women is so prevalent, a university – particularly a small university in a university town – cannot be the best practice that provides safety and security and speedy justice for young people.We were also very disappointed that the police were sent to intervene. Young women protesting topless can hardly be regarded as a threat to anyone’s safety. Indeed, we saw this as a desperate cry to be recognized. Could you imagine the impact a message from you would have had on campuses around the country, and indeed across the world, if instead of seeing violent behaviour from the security forces there were pictures of the Vice-Chancellor standing right next to these young women and men with a poster saying “Not on My Watch”.There may be a number of immediate measures you can take to start addressing the issues raised by the students. One of these could be to start addressing the process students have to go through when reporting rapes.We support these brave young students for taking a stand, for making a fuss, for making us all sit up and listen. We find it abhorrent that these same problems face our campus two decades later. We urge you not to hind behind the “we are a microcosm of society” argument, but to work together with the students, with the community, to try and make a difference.20 years ago we had a campaign to change the name of the University. We proposed either Chris Hani or Ruth First university. We believed this university could become a force for progressive change, a best practice which other universities would look to emulate. We hope there is still time to create that legacy. Its starts with making our children safe, and listening when they speak. We urge you to do exactly that.FromKim JurgensenSibongile MtshontshiLincoln MaliLetlatsa G LekhelebanaNick LydallSam DellBeth HoustonDrew DuvenhagePhenyo NonqaneBonile NgqiyazaMark LorenzZoli VundlaVukani MdeJennifer MolwantwaAdam WelzAlex FortescueSylvester MananaKendal BennieKhanyisile Solomon-TMG Digital..