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Volume CXVII, No. 15
National On August 26, reporter Alison Parker and photographer Adam Ward were killed at Bridgewater Plaza in Virginia near Moneta while they were on-air. arker was a graudate of James Madison University School of Media Arts and Design in Harrisonburg, Virginia, while Ward was engaged to be married and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2011. Family and friends of the victims describe being “numb” and “shocked” at the events that transpired. The shooter is believed to be Vester Flanagan, who was an employee at WDBJ with the on-air name Bryce Williams. He was fired for unknown reasons.
International The EU is suffering a migration crisis as thousands of those afflicted by poverty are seeking refuge. Hungary, for example, is currently adding 2,000 police to its borders, according to the Interior Ministry. Due to foreign policy weakness and a failure to implement changes to its Common Foreign and Security Policy, antimigration efforts are crude and ineffective. Xenophobia is currently a huge issue facing most countries in the EU. Three major issues are the lack of engagement with the Western Balkans, strife and civil war in Africa, and issues in the Middle East. Many of those who are fleeing are leaving Middle Eastern countries such as Afghanistan and Syria which are plagued by human rights violations. Sadly, many refugees are injured or die en route. Fifty migrants were found dead in a large ship on the Mediterranean Sea, according to the Italian coast guard who planned the operation. Migration is at an all time high, but the current situation is dismal for both refugees and EU countries.
This week’s “Top Stories” were compiled by Kayla Britt with information from Project Syndicate (http:// www.project-syndicate. org) and CNN News (http:// www.cnn.com.)
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
FREE
Gettysburg strives to curb violence on campus
Dean of College Life discusses new programs promoting bystander intervention By Jennifer Mccary Associate Dean of College Life Guest Writer
Whether it is your senior year or you are stepping on campus for the first time this fall, there are a number of ways to get involved and make a positive impact on your Gettysburg community. On Aug. 13, you received an important email from Dean Ramsey and the Office of College Life—I encourage you to read (and re-read) that important message about updates and community standards for the Fall 2015 semester. In particular, I urge you to pay close attention to the information about Title IX and Violence Prevention. As many of you know, Gettysburg College is not immune to situations of sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking, and we have been working hard to improve our campus climate and response to these issue. For one, we implemented rigorous training for faculty, staff, and students, and will continue that work this year and beyond. During the 2013 calendar year, there were 10 criminal sexual offenses officially reported to the college. During that time, only one report was submitted by a third-party, or someone who observed the incident. However, in the 2014 calendar year— after our intensive training was implemented— thirteen third-party reports were filed and 24 criminal sexual offenses were officially reported to the college. These numbers do not include confidential reports made to the Health and Counsel-
ing Center or to any off campus confidential reporting resource. This tells us that an increase in training is in fact leading to greater awareness and an increase in the number of incidents that are reported and investigated. This is a positive step, but your involvement is vital. As students, I urge you to get involved and help increase awareness to ensure our campus remains safe and inclusive: •Attend a Green Dot training: This bystander-based program emphasizes the importance of intervening so we can measurably and systematically reduce violence within our community and keep all members of our community safe. Save the date now for our first training on
Monday, Sept. 21 from 1-5pm in CUB 260. •Visit the Women’s and LGBTQA Resource Center: Located on the entry level of Apple Hall, this space houses the Women’s Center and LGBTQA Advocacy and Education. We envision a campus community where women and LGBTQA students and the people who support them can thrive, be safe and feel proud to call Gettysburg College their home. This space is for everyone and we encourage you to visit and learn more about violence prevention. •Complete your campus climate survey: It is never too early to begin thinking about ways to improve our campus culture. Be sure to take the survey you’ll receive via email
in March. In the meantime, get involved in shaping that culture by getting involved. •Volunteer: The best way to get involved is to volunteer. Look for opportunities through the Violence Prevention office by visiting www.gettysburg.edu/ titleix and reach out about things that interest you. •Join Discussions: There is a strong connection between social justice and violence protection. Participate in the annual Social Justice Institute being held Oct. 13th and Jan. 29th – 30th. Engage in this important dialogue by attending eRace and nGender discussions on campus. Or, you might consider joining the Women’s Center for “iLove,” a conversation exploring strategies to develop and
maintain healthy relationships. Go to www.gettysburg.edu/socialjustice/ for more information on these and other discussion groups or workshops. These are just a few suggestions – the truth is, we can not do this without your involvement and ownership. Whether you dedicate a few hours to attend or lead a Green Dot training, or only have five minutes, your support is crucial. If you have any questions about any of the above or want to learn more about how you can get involved, please get in touch by visiting room 220 of the College Union Building, emailing jmccary@gettysburg. edu, or calling (717)337-6900.
Photo Credit: gettysburg.edu
The Women’s and LGBTQA Resource Center, located on the first floor of Apple Hall, is a safe place for students to talk about sensitive issues and learn more about violence prevention.
Gettysburg College welcomes the class of 2019
With the new class, changes will be made to the points system and Title IX policy B y J ulia S ippel S taff W riter
This fall, Gettysburg is welcoming a brand new group of students to campus--- the Class of 2019. As always, this group is certain to be an amazing addition to the College community! Simultaneously, the 2015---2016 school year will bring several new policy changes, most notably, changes to the implementation of Title IX and adjustments to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Point System. As outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor, Title IX states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education pro gram or activity receiving
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Federal financial assistance” (Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972. http://www. dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/ titleix.htm). Newly promoted Associate Dean of College Life for Violence Prevention & Resolution and Title IX Coordinator, Jennifer McCary, will be working with both this and reports of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, etc. In addition, the Green Dot initiative will be launched this semester. College Life compares the program to a computerized map of red dots, each representing “the spread of some terrible epidemic….” A green dot, however, “represents any behavior, choice, word, or attitude that promotes safety for all of us and communicates utter intolerance for any form of violence…. A green dot is simply your in-
Art Gallery Exhibit, pg. 3
dividual choice at any given moment to make our community safer” (Green Dot Overview, https://www.gettysburg.edu/about/ offices/ college_life/violence-pre-
“Our primary goal is to give students the opportunity to attent programs and other events hosted on campus without alcohol being present.” ~Dean Ramsey vention-title-ix/green-dot/). While bystander pre vention is not a new concept
at Gettysburg, the Green Dot program is an impressive step in the right direction. For some easy ways to participate, check out “Green dots for those too busy to do green dots” at https://www. gettysburg.edu/about/offices/college_life/violenceprevention- title-ix/greendot/too-busy/. Furthermore, the Point System has been updated; for new students, points are assigned in response to drug, alcohol, and related violations of school policy. While the previous standards required less than six accumulated points to participate in Greek life or off-campus study, based on the new changes students can be excluded from these opportunities with five points or more. These new standards will be implemented in the spring of 2016.
As in previous years, points and fines in addition to those formally outlined will be applicable in the first weeks of the semester. Through September 10, no events taking place on campus may include alcohol, and first year students are prohibited from attending such events through September 17. “Our primary goal is to give students the opportunity to attend programs and other events hosted on campus without alcohol being present,” said Dean Ramsey of the additional constraints. As such, various alcohol-free events will be offered during this time period. With so many positive changes and a new group of already-accomplished Gettysburgians, the 2015-2016 school year is bound to start off well!
Princeton This Week at Predictions for What They Review ranks the Majestic, the Presidential Say vs. What Athletic Debate, pg. 3 They Mean, Facilities, pg. 5 pg. 5 pg. 6