ARG THE VANDAL VOICE SINCE 1898 uiargonaut.com
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Joleen Evans | Argonaut
Members of the UI community march through campus during Take Back the Night Thursday to take a stand against domestic violence.
Change in numbers women’s center
UI students take a stand against violence at Take Back the Night Savannah Cardon Argonaut
One in five women experience sexual violence while in college, said Bekah MillerMacPhee, assistant director of programs for the Women’s Center. With hopes to decrease this number, the University of Idaho Women’s Center put on Take Back the Night last week. The purpose of the event was to give students the chance to support UI in the fight to end interpersonal violence. “Tonight, every single one of us collectively are sending a message that we do not tolerate — that we will not tolerate this violence,”
MillerMacPhee said. “We will not stand for any type of violence on this campus, whether that violence is directed towards women, men, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color or any other group, any other part of our Vandal family.” Hundreds of UI students joined together in the Agriculture Science Auditorium Thursday night to listen to fellow students share their stories and come together to help prevent domestic violence. Beginning the rally, MillerMacPhee welcomed Executive Director of Tribal Relations Yolanda Bisbee on stage, where she introduced the Vandal Nation, a Native American drum and singing group. The drum group played an honor song and all individuals in the auditorium stood in respect to the tribal tradition.
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MillerMacPhee introduced Jessica Matsaw, who shared her personal story of survival and resilience. After Matsaw finished, students grabbed signs, glow-sticks and each other to begin the silent march around campus. During the march, students held hands, comforting one another. Every two minutes a whistle pierced the night to signify how often someone is assaulted in the U.S. If at any time during the march a student felt triggered by something that happened in their past or to someone important to them, support was provided. Volunteers from Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse and the Counseling and Testing Center were there to talk to anyone who needed it.
After the Vandal Nation played, MillerMacPhee introduced Women’s Center supporter Mary Beth Staben, who talked about her experiences with domestic violence as a physician. Staben offered her input on the event and explained why she thought it was important that students attended. “Going into the night and making our voices heard, we are creating a space where we have that power before we are victims,” Staben said. “We are creating a place where we can be empowered as individuals and as a community and that is a path that will lead us to a more nurturing and positive society.” MillerMacPhee then introduced UI senior Jessy Forsmo-Shadid, who shared her poem, “To Brock Turner.” Another student was invited to the stage.
SEE change, PAGE 4
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Defining experiences A new generation of Vandals Juliette Grimmett speaks about her personal experience of sexual abuse at keynote speech Catherine Keenan Argonaut
In 2011, University of Idaho student Katy Benoit was murdered by one of her former professors on campus. The professor, Ernesto Bustamante, shot Benoit, and then himself a day later. The two were in a relationship that ended several months before the shooting. It was reported that Bustamante had previously threatened her on three occasions with a handgun. Campus Safety Week began after Benoit’s death. In her memory, UI held a safety forum last Friday with Juliette Grimmett as the keynote speaker. She has worked with sexual abuse survivors for more than 18 years, and in her address she shared her own experiences with sexual abuse. “My goal … is really to share with you
something that’s about me,” Grimmett said. “We all lived different experiences, and this is a little about mine.” Grimmett grew up outside of Boston with parents who were social activists and conscious consumers. She said she was fortunate to grow up in a home that always encouraged her to have a voice. In 1994, Grimmett attended Skidmore University in upstate New York. She said she transitioned quickly at Skidmore, making new friends and entering a long-distance relationship. During Christmas break, she said her boyfriend ended the relationship, starting a rough second semester. “Everything flipped for me,” Grimmett said. “There’s half of us who’ve come back from break who are really happy cause we’ve broken up with someone and the other half of us who are really sad — I was in that camp.” SEE defining, PAGE 4
High school seniors and their families tour campus during UI’s open house event Jack Olson Argonaut
The University of Idaho welcomed visitors last weekend, but encouraged them to stay much longer — about four years longer, to be exact. Envision Idaho is UI’s open house event where high school seniors learn about what it is like to live and learn at the university. Saturday, many prospective Vandals and their families came to campus and participated in all the tours and educational sessions the day had to offer. Cezar Mesquita, director of admissions, helped orchestrate the event and spoke at the day’s welcoming, just before prospective students toured the campus. He encouraged students to ask critical ques-
tions during the day that would help them decide if UI is right for them. “Ask those important questions for you and your family as to why and how can the University of Idaho help you fulfill those accomplishments and those expectations and dreams,” Mesquita said. “Ultimately, our job here is to make sure you feel welcomed and are informed about this transition.” Mesquita said visitors would often hear the theme of the community discussed during their stay. “We don’t speak of ourselves as a Vandal nation. We speak of ourselves as a Vandal family,” Mesquita said. “Those experiences you will have are forged by the relationships you make with people.” Provost and Executive Vice President John Wiencek and ASUI President Cruz Botello also spoke and re-emphasized the importance of the Vandal family. SEE generation, PAGE 4
IN THIS ISSUE
News, 1
Sports, 5
Idaho women’s soccer starts conference play 1-1.
The Editorial Board sat down with Mayor Bill Lambert. Read Our View.
Local artists decorate Moscow power boxes with art.
sports, 5
Opinion, 9
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A&E, 8
Opinion, 9
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Volume 118, Issue no. 12
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