TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28, 2017 VOLUME 106 ISSUE 25 www.UniversityStar.com
INVESTIGATING SEXUAL VIOLATIONS ON CAMPUS
Texas State students can push emergency buttoms in case of emergency. PHOTO BY EMILY SHARP | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
TO EXPLORE MORE ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS PAGE 4 & 5 SEXUAL ASSAULT
Bobcat Guardian app tackles campus crime By Andrew Turner News Reporter @AndrewTurner27 The administration at Texas State University, in conjunction with student government and the University Police Department, has launched the Bobcat (Rave) Guardian app—a system designed to enhance safety on campus by using virtual safety network. The GPS-driven device allows users to set up personal profiles, quickly send anonymous tips to safety personnel and contains various features to ensure campus safety. Users can set a safety timer feature that will immediately alert designated guardians if the timer is not deactivated by the user within the set time frame. One use for this feature is for a student walking home through campus after dark. The student would turn off the timer when he or she arrived home safely. “If you’re in emergency or in distress, use the call button,” said Sgt. Rolando Belmares with University Police Department. “All you have to do is push one button and it will automatically send a signal to our dispatch center and it’ll give us a GPS signal of your location, so we can immediately dispatch officers to that location.” Texas State is one of 1,400 universities that offer the Rave Guardian Technologies’ services to its students in order to improve campus security.
PAGE 2 SAFETY
Faculty Senate begins search for new ombudsman By Katie Burrell Senior News Reporter @KatieNicole96 Texas State University currently employs two ombudsmen who offer informal mediation for students and faculty. The faculty-designated ombudsman’s three-year term is ending in 2017. The Faculty Senate is on the search for a new, suitable candidate who will be appointed by the president. Dr. Patricia Pattison, finance and economics professor, was appointed as ombudsman for faculty in 2014 by President Denise Trauth. Since her appointment, Pattison has offered collegial mediation for faculty members with a variety of issues. Pattison visited the Faculty Senate to discuss her experience as ombudsman. She made recommendations as to what to look for when nominating the next person. Pattison, as part of her duties, must maintain anonymity when discussing past mediations. Pattison said her preferred method of conflict resolution is mediation because allowing both parties the chance to speak can solve a lot of the conflict itself. However, Pattison said she has resolved issues where faculty members have felt bullied by each other or by their dean. She has dealt with faculty members accusing each other of biases. She has also mediated situations where one faculty member felt he/she were being reviewed harder and more
RECORD STORE STATUS PAGE 11
Dr. Patricia Pattison, Texas State’s current ombudsman, poses for a photo Feb. 20 in her office. PHOTO BY BRANDON VALENCIA | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
frequently than others. All of these issues, Pattison said, have been resolved because she was able to speak with both parties individually and together, while supervising the dialogue. Pattison recommended the Faculty Senate the next person to take over as ombudsman would do well to have a legal background and a mild temperament. Although the ombudsman is appointed by the president, the Faculty
Fighting war on drugs The darknet is home to illegal forms of pornography, stolen credit card information, commercial hacking services and more. But if the darknet is doing anything right, it is the commercial selling of drugs— and the United States government should take note.
PAGE 7 DRUGS
Senate is charged with searching for a replacement and making an informed recommendation. According to Michel Conroy, art and design professor and faculty senator, the ombudsman is neutral, and is not an advocate to either employee or management.
PAGE 2 FACULTY
Stay Connected
@universitystar universitystar.com