Former professor sues Delta

NEWS

he omb one P ojec can be een a Del a college on he main camP anD fea e o ie of ic im of Dome ic iolence, oc . 19, 2022; Pho o c eDi ane a elle Domestic violence is everywhere, who do you know?

Vanessa Selle

Domestic violence is much more common than people like to think. According to domesticviolence.org, domestic violence takes place every minute of every day in our nation alone. One in four women and one in nine men will face domestic violence from an intimate partner, and domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes. On average, more than 20,000 calls are made to domestic violence hotlines all over the U.S.

Domestic violence isn’t only found in intimate relationships. Abuse of elderly family members, young children, or anyone who is close to the abuser is defned as domestic violence.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in any way, no matter how small it seems, there are multiple resources available.

Lindsay Richardson, Director of Development at the BAWC, said, “Te Bay Area Women's Center believes that everyone has the right to live a life free of fear. We support individuals of all genders who have experienced domestic violence by providing programs and services free of charge to meet their needs. Our number one priority is to provide a space for safety and healing. Our crisis hotline is stafed 24/7 to help survivors in their moment of need. We ofer a safe emergency shelter, group and individual therapy, advocacy services, and resources to provide a handup to survivors as they are facing their darkest days. To any survivor reading this article, we want you to know that you are important, and we believe you. BAWC can be reached 24/7 on our hotline at 989-6864551, or you can learn more at www.bawcmi.org or by following us on Facebook and Instagram.”

Domestic violence isn’t just physical abuse. It is mental, emotional, economic, and sexual abuse. Intimidation, stalking, controlling, and many other acts are defned as domestic violence. See a complete list at Legal Dictionary.net.

History of Domestic Violence Legislation

In 1984, the Violence Against Women Act (Title IV of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act) was put into efect and was the frst federal legislation that acknowledged domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes and provided federal resources for combating violence against women. Tis act is up for renewal every fve years, and the reauthorization is based on existing protections, available resources, and programs to better provide for abuse survivors.

Te VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022 was signed into efect by President Biden on March 15. Tis reboot includes resources for housing, legal assistance, alternatives to criminal responses, and prevention planning. It includes new economic justice provisions and increases access for all survivors regardless of gender by strengthening non-discrimination laws and creating LGBTQ services and culturally specifc services.

While October has been recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month since 1987, Gov. Whitmer has made this awareness specifc to Michigan. Whitmer made the theme of this year’s awareness campaign “Everyone Knows Someone” and highlighted available resources for domestic violence victims. Her full proclamation can be seen at michigan.gov.

Domestic Violence Resources:

Te Bay Area Women’s Center (989) 686-4551 Underground Railroad (989) 755-0411 CAN Council-Great Lakes Bay (989) 671-1345 Shelterhouse of Midland (877) 216-6383 YWCA (616) 454-9922 Te National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-SAFE

Te Tombstone Project

For Domestic Violence Awareness month, Delta puts up a display called the Tombstone Project. Tis display is located in the West Courtyard and in a display case on the main foor near the elevator. Tis project aims to raise awareness about the gravity and severity of local domestic violence. All of the tombstones that you can see in the courtyard symbolize victims of domestic violence in or near the Tri-City area who died in 2021. Tere are 30 tombstones, and 29 hold the names and stories of victims. 7 are from Saginaw or Saginaw Township. Te stories featured inside the display case include stories from past years and in a wider area.

Te Tombstone Project was started at Delta in 2006 by a small English and Social Sciences faculty group. In 2019, the project was passed on to the Equity Ofce, which has maintained the project and its original intent of it.

Te original purpose was to raise awareness of the gravity and severity of domestic violence locally, which is the same purpose it carries now.

Te stories of victims are found on Michigan news websites and are condensed into a short snippet to display on a tombstone. Te victims shown on the tombstones are those who died of domestic violence in the previous year. Students are ofen involved in fnding the stories and helping put up the display. If anyone is interested in helping with this project in the future, you can contact the Equity Ofce at equityofce@delta.edu.

2022 Midterm results

Misty Barron

michigan governor greTchen WhiTmer

Whitmer wins second term Michigan voters pass all three

Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen proposals on ballot Whitmer won a second four-year term in Tuesday’s election, defeating Republican opponent, Tudor Dixon.

Speaking to supporters in Detroit early Wednesday morning, Whitmer said, “We will always work with anyone who actually wants to solve a problem because there’s nothing more important than the people of this state to us, all of the people of this state."

Whitmer supports Proposal 3, limiting government interference in a women's reproductive rights and fled law suits to help get the proposal on the ballot this election. Proposal 3, which would amend the Michigan Constitution to include protection for reproductive freedom and invalidate a dormant 1931 ban on abortion has passed. Michigan voters turned out in high numbers at the polls on Tuesday to make sure their voices were heard on the topic of abortion and the rights of women to make personal decisions about their reproductive care without government interference. Proposal 1 will amend the state constitution to require annual public fnancial disclosure reports by legislators and other state ofcers and change state legislator term limit to 12 total years in legislature. Proposal 2 will amend the state constitution to create early voting and right to sign an afdavit as an alternative to showing photo ID to vote. Requires statefunded return postage and drop boxes for absentee ballots. It also clarifes that the state canvassers board has a nondiscretionary duty to certify results.

Former professor sues Delta College, alleging unlawful discrimination

Courtney Elisech

former DelTa college english Professor chey Davis; PhoTo creDiT: chey Davis

Chey Davis was a Delta College English professor for 15 years before she lef her position afer being denied promotion to Full Professor based on unlawful discrimination. According to Davis, the reasons she was not promoted were because she was black and a lesbian. As well as a form of retaliation over public positions she held relating to faculty unionization and justice in Division grievances.

Delta College’s Director of Marketing, Leanne Govitz, confrmed that Davis fled a lawsuit against Delta College and former President Dr. Jean Goodnow. She stated that Davis resigned to begin a new career in an unrelated profession.

“Beyond that, it is the college’s policy not to comment regarding either personnel issues or pending litigation,” said Govitz.

Te Delta Collegiate got the story and an update from Davis herself in the form of a Q & A over email.

Starting as an instructor in 2007 and earning tenure in 2012, Davis applied for promotion to Full Professor in 2019. She was supported by her department fully but denied by Delta’s then-President Jean Goodnow despite meeting all qualifcations for the promotion, according to her suit.

Afer being denied the promotion and unsuccessful in challenging the college's decision with her union's help, Davis fled a lawsuit against Delta College in August in Saginaw Circuit Court.

President Goodnow lef her position in 2021, and Delta College ofered Davis a retroactive promotion under President Michael Gavin in February 2022. She lef Delta College in June 2022. She felt they had continued to discredit her throughout everything, and the trust was broken.

Te decision to leave education was already fnal for Davis, and she had no further advancement. She went back to school to become a clinical therapist and was close to fnishing when the retroactive promotion was ofered. Te practice she works with focuses on marginalized groups in our society who experience various types of trauma.

Q: In your own words, what led to this point? What happened?

A: In some ways, it is simple; I was denied a promotion that I had earned. I worked hard and enjoyed my job for many years. President Goodnow still refused my promotion for reasons which were illegal. In many other ways, though, this is a much more complex situation of structural racism and other intersectional motivations.

Q: Do you miss teaching?

A: Of course. I applied to be a Full Professor because I enjoyed being an educator and wanted to continue working with young adults and returning learners. I was completely invested in the education of my students. Working in a classroom atmosphere and contributing to scholarship is a rewarding calling.

Q: What can you tell us about the status of the case?

A: We are just about to start discovery or the process of collecting evidence with the compulsory power of the court process.

Q: What is your hope for the case? What would you want to see the outcome be?

A: I think most people who fnd themselves in the unfortunate situation of having to sue their employers for discrimination want similar things. First, I want this practice to stop. I want to shine a light on the discrimination and make sure my voice is heard for all the people who came before me and for those who come afer me. Tere are people so comfortable with this kind of systemic racism and intersectional and economic discrimination that they do not even see what is wrong with it. I also want an apology; I want to know that they understand that their behavior turned my life upside down. I sufered emotional and fnancial turmoil because of the actions of President Goodnow and the complacency of Delta. I am not the only person at this college who has experienced this kind of treatment. I want to be made whole fnancially, being turned down for a promotion that I had earned, hiring an attorney, going back to school, and opening a new business to try to stem my losses.

Q: Have you considered that you may go through all this hardship, hassle, and trauma and nothing may come of it?

A: Do I understand that I could lose the civil case I fled against Ms. Goodnow and Delta? Yes, I understand that, but that would not be the same thing as “nothing” coming from this. Tey mistreated me, and I spoke up; using my voice is not "nothing." Tere is a public record for anyone who feels they have experienced intersectional discrimination by Delta leadership, which is not "nothing." It is my belief that this kind of treatment is not only specifcally directed at faculty members and extends to other marginalized groups on campus as well. I am exhausted and traumatized, and this has been an excruciating process. I understand what I am facing.

View the entire Executed Summons and Complaint of Chey Davis v Delta College and Jean Goodrow online below.

LOCAL

Poetry reading brings new talent to new cof ee shop

Vanessa Selle

BAY CITY - Lolobee’s Lounge in Bay City was the location of the f rst ever “Words Like Honey” poetry event.

On Oct. 23 the small cof ee shop on Linn Street hosted 15 poets and over 30 listeners and shoppers. All except one poet spoke more than once, and all were met with warm applause and a rapt audience.

T ere was a mix of humorous and serious topics in the poems, and every poet had their own taste and distinct personality, shown through both their poetry and their clothing and mannerisms. T ey were very passionate and showed expression, sometimes even acting out what they said as they read their poems.

T e event had an amazingly diverse crowd, and everyone felt comfortable sharing their work, and af er all the readings were done, many people stuck around to socialize and mingle. It was a very casual and friendly environment throughout and af er the event.

“T is is a very cool room with a lot of creative people,” said poet Roberto Scarlato. Although he writes his own poetry, he narrates audiobooks for a living, and has since December 2013. He wrote his f rst poem in college in 2007, and started again during the pandemic in 2020. Scarlato has been coming to Lolobee’s for a few months, and says “I love their vibe.”

Another poet and attendee Elizabeth Detlof said she likes events like these because “it makes you write more because there’s more stuf to read.” Detlof was at a table with another poet Matt Kehr, and a friend Sarah Stack.

Organizers Madison Wittbrodt and Max Gilbert, owner of the “Words Like Honey” Facebook page, said that they knew Lolobee’s was the space as soon as they visited for the f rst time. Whittborodt says that they have always wanted to put on a “poetry slam”, and with the f rst one so successful, they are hoping to have one about once a month, at Lolobee’s. “T is place has the perfect atmosphere,” Wittbrodt said.

Lolobee’s Lounge, created in 2019 and opened in July 2022, is owned by Lauren Williams and Ben Paul. Williams has always wanted to own a cof ee shop, and had a plan with a friend in 7th grade that she would run the cof ee shop, and her friend would run a bookstore that was connected to it.

Even though life took them separate ways, and her dream took longer to come true than she thought it would, Williams now has her cof ee shop. Williams and Paul looked for a place for almost 3 years, and settled on Linn Street because of the character of the building. T e old stained glass windows and brick walls reminded Williams of her hometown of New Orleans, and loved the old “retro” vibe.

Williams and Paul like to get to know their customers, and even though they’ve only been open for three months, already have established regulars, such as Scarlato, Wittbrodt, and Gilbert among others. “We want people to drink their cof ee and hang out,” Williams said, when asked about the kind of environment they wanted to create.

Williams and Paul love events like the “Words Like Honey” poetry reading, and say that’s what they’re here for. Williams encourages anyone who wants to host an event but needs a venue to check out Lolobee’s Lounge.

a crowd of nearly 30 Pack into loloBee’s lounge to listen to Poetry readings. oct. 23, 2022; Photo credit onnie stone

For more info visit www.lolobees.com

Changing responses to suicide and mental illness

Vanessa Selle

SAGINAW - In 2020, 45,979 people lost their lives to suicide in the U.S. 1,444 were in Michigan. Suicide rates were up by 3% in 2021, and suicide is currently the second leading cause of death in young people.

Te Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network held a Suicide Awareness and Training Seminar, Creating a Safety Net in Our Community, at the Anderson Enrichment Center in Saginaw on Nov. 2, 2022. Te presentation was sponsored by Team One Credit Union and was attended by about 20 people. Barb Smith did the presentation herself and provided many tools and resources for those looking to help loved ones.

Te event attendees learned how to recognize suicidal thoughts, ask sensitive questions safely and comfortably and connect people to the appropriate resources, among other skills.

Smith talked about changing the language surrounding suicide to make it easier to talk about. Switching “committed” to “died by” and changing how we ask someone about their suicidal thoughts can make a huge diference. “Listen twice as much as you speak,” said Smith. Leading with examples of why you think someone may have suicidal thoughts and listening to understand rather than respond shows someone that you have noticed them and that you genuinely care for them and want to help.

Te seminar also taught that sending someone straight to the ER or therapist might not be what they need. Tis is why talking and listening to them is so important. Maybe they feel this way because their fnancial situation is taking a nosedive. Consider helping them fnd a fnancial advisor that can help with their struggle.

Smith went through the “CPR of suicide;” ask, listen, get help. Tese steps help the person feel noticed, understood, and connected to the proper resources to help them. Tank them for trusting you, and stay with them throughout this CPR process. Keep them safe as best you can: remove any lethal weapons and do not leave them alone. If you cannot be with them, call someone who can. Ask them who they would like to be with and where they would like to be. Please ensure they get the help they need, and most importantly, take them seriously.

“Any attempt, any behavior.” Smith reiterated that when someone shows symptoms of suicidal thoughts or actions, they need to be taken seriously. Tey are not attention-seeking; they are connectionseeking.

Smith also talked about suicide being a response, not a choice. “My illogical, their logical,” she said while she talked about the brain chemistry behind suicidal thoughts and depression. Your perception is your reality, and that perception is altered with depression and other mental illnesses. You see and process things diferently than other people.

Te awareness seminar ended with Smith sharing multiple resources. Apps such as Sanvello and Virtual Hope Box help keep people in tune with their thoughts and mindset and give them resources and tools throughout the day. Websites, phone numbers, text lines, and organizations were also part of the many resources shared.

Barb Smith has been working for 34 years, statewide and nationally, to prevent suicide through education. Te Governor appointed her to the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as the lead of the suicide prevention team across the state. Te Network has various tools and training for people to help understand and prevent suicide, resources for those who may be suicidal or struggling with mental illness, and resources for those who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Te Barb Smith Suicide Resource and Response Network was founded in 1989 by Barb Smith, who lost her 20-year-old brother John to suicide. Tis network focuses on training with the hope of destigmatizing suicide, increasing behaviors to seek help, and caring for those impacted by suicide.

Training includes Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), a two-day interactive workshop that teaches how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan; and safeTALK, a half-day event that teaches how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, engaging someone, and connecting them to an intervention resource for support.

For more information or to contact Barb Smith, visit srrn.net.

Presenter BarB smith shares details aBout mental health suPPort aPPs like sanvello. nov. 2, 2022; Photo credit vanessa selle

Over 9,000 guests visit Saginaw’s Zoo Boo

Courtney Elisech

SAGINAW – From Oct. 8 to Oct. 23, the Saginaw Children’s Zoo hosted its twentyffh annual Zoo Boo. Visitors from near and far joined in the festivities that included animal interactions, shows, and candy galore.

Speaking with ofcials from the Saginaw Zoo, the Collegiate learned that this year’s Zoo Boo was a huge success.

“Te weather was better than we could have imagined, which led to a great turnout. A little over 9,000 guests joined us between the three weekends. Teir support means a lot to us and helps us get through the ofseason and into the spring when we reopen,” said Dylan Hellus, the zoo’s Operations Manager. “We hope that everyone had as much fun as we did, and we are already looking forward to Zoo Boo 2023.”

Rachel Westphal was among the visitors during the last weekend of Zoo Boo. She brought her two-year-old son David Freddie Allish, Freddie for short. Tey go to the event every year.

Freddie’s favorite thing was the games tent, where he got to throw a ball and knock over pins. He also loved exploring and seeing the costumes people wore to the event. He recognized Mrs. Incredible from the movies.

Westphal was happy with how her son enjoyed his time and explained that they try and attend many events to help with development and social skills. Freddie learned how to put candy into his bag this year.

Tis year the Zoo ofered new games and activities where the kids could win prizes. One of the prizes was a Zoo coloring book.

Te Saginaw Zoo will be back open with all the animals ready for visitors in the spring, usually in April.