Hunger Banquet to simulate food inequality NEWS >>pg. 2
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Wednesday, October 1, 2014
New boutique touts Tennessean threads ARTS & CULTURE >> pg. 3
Issue 30, Volume 127
Redefining right Sexual assault task force works to define ‘consent’ Hayley Brundige News Editor (@hayleybrundige)
Bradi Musil Assistant News Editor (@bradi4)
Week three: determining when “yes means yes.” The working definition of “consent” in UT’s interim sexual assault policy is more than 650 words long. When the Sexual Assault and Misconduct Task Force met for the third time Monday to discuss changes to UT’s interim policy, they discovered the difficulty of condensing the complex and nuanced term into one simple definition. The interim policy currently defines “consent” as “the knowing and voluntary communication, through words
and/or conduct, of an agreement to engage in a particular act, including without limitation a particular act of Sexual Contact or Sexual Intercourse.” From there, the definition is broken down into several specifications. The task force, comprising more than 20 members of the UT community, began by examining the policy’s language and debating which factors to keep, omit or change. Jenny Richter, UT’s Title IX coordinator, expressed the complexity of setting a pragmatic, campus-wide precedent of consent. “Consent is, in my experience, the most difficult issue in any of these cases,” Richter said. “We’re trying to make rules for human nature -- and that’s really hard.” One of the stipulations in UT’s definition of consent is that the use of alcohol, drugs or other substances
Consent (n): As definded by the interim assault policy
the knowing and voluntary communication, through words and/or conduct, of an agreement to engage in a particular act, including without limitation a particular act of sexual contact or sexual intercourse. does not diminish one’s responsibility give knowing and voluntary consent. In one hypothetical situation that to obtain consent from the other party. On the other hand, the use of sub- the group discussed, a female seemstances invalidates a person’s ability to ingly gave consent to a male while she
Worley likely to don protective sleeve against Florida Troy Provost-Heron Sports Editor (@TPro_UTDB)
It didn’t take long to realize a difference in Justin Worley during Tennessee’s first practice since returning from Athens, Georgia. And while the difference did have something to do with the senior quarterback’s right elbow – the one he injured during Saturday’s contest against the Bulldogs – it had no affect on his ability to throw the ball. Instead, the difference was one of fashion – and protection – as Worley practiced on Tuesday sporting a padded sleeve on his bangedup elbow. And while second-year head coach Butch Jones said Worley was “100 percent,” UT’s signal caller did mention that he was dealing with some soreness from his injury. “It’s a typical bruise,” Worley Senior quarterback Justin Worley hands off to freshman running back Jalen Hurd during said. “There’s a little bit of dispractice on Sept. 30. UT’s offense averages 79.25 plays per game. comfort when I throw, but nothing Samantha Smoak • The Daily Beacon/Tennessee Athletics major.” See FOOTBALL on Page 6
Literary therapy Katrina Roberts Design Editor @KatrinaRoberts_
When she moved into her empty office in 2001, Amy Billone wrote a poem about her new surroundings at UT. On Monday night, 13 years later, the associate professor of English read it again to a completely different audience at “Writers in the Library,” where she joked about wanting to go back to the time when her office used to be that clean. “Sunlight carves into my unused desk and chair,” she read. “On my empty bookshelf, a small bronze statue curves his vigorous, muscled spine, one elbow resting on its thick creased leg.” Billone’s first book of poetry, “The Light Changes,” fol-
lows a similar, albeit more dramatic journey of discovery and growth from the depths of despair into the light. Divided into four separate parts, each section opens at the close, with the title of the individual part being taken from the final poem in the section. Listed as one of Kirkus Review’s “Best Books of 2013” and recipient of the 2014 IndieReader Discovery Award in Poetry, “The Light Changes” was inspired by the lives and works of several renowned poets. Arthur Smith, fellow poet and english professor, praised Billone’s poetic bravery, reminding him of Virginia Woolf and Emily Dickinson. “Amy has taken her courage from some pretty courageous women,” he said. See WRITERS on Page 3
Gilmore Girls Netflix-debut reprises fictional women with real impact ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3
UT professor explores life through poems
Amy Billone, associate professor in English, signs books after presenting at “Writers in the Library” on Sept. 29. Kristen Bright • The Daily Beacon
“Where do we draw the line when it comes to having faith in something beyond ourselves?” VIEWPOINTS >>pg. 4
was under the influence of alcohol. The next day, the female could not remember the events of the previous night and filed a complaint to the dean of students. Nickie Hackenbrack, senior in biology and co-chair of Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee, pointed out during the discussion that the female did not give continuous consent for each act of sexual contact, which is required by the interim policy. “Consent in our policy is continual,” Hackenbrack said during the discussion. “As in, maybe consent is given in the first half of the scenario, but after she may or may not have thrown up, that’s when there’s no longer consent.”
See CONSENT on Page 2
Disability Week panel discusses jobs, advocacy Hannah Marley Contributor
Finding a job is hard. Finding a job as a person with a disability is even harder. Seventy-two percent of persons with disabilities in Tennessee are unemployed, and only 9 percent have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. A panel of four professionals who work with disability services at the University of Tennessee spoke on the challenges students with disabilities face when entering their postsecondary education and the work force at the “Disability and Education Forum” on Monday, one event in UT’s “Disability Week.” Though transitioning to college can be difficult for any student, as panelist David Cihak, program coordinator and associate professor in the Special Education Program, pointed out, the move can be especially daunting for persons with disabilities. “As young adults leave high school, they make decisions about their employment, their continuing education and their living arrangements,” Cihak said. “These decisions may be facilitated by adults and parents, but usually stem from the interests and preferences of the young adult.” UT offers many resources and accommodations for students with disabilities. Students must seek out services themselves and request assistance for their specific need. LaKenzie Crawford, junior in chemistry who is visually impaired, said she has utilized many of UT’s services during her
time on campus including note takers, lab assistants, increased test time and special computers with zoom text and screen readers. She said students must learn to overcome hesitant natures and build support for themselves. “The most important part of getting a good education is being able to advocate for yourself,” Crawford said. While there are currently 2,600 students with disabilities at UT, only 1,200 are registered with the Office of Disability Services. These services are available for any student with disabilities said panelist David Ndiaye, assistant director of the Office of Disability Services, but many students are simply not aware of their options on campus. “We need to educate the masses about the services we provide, make ourselves seen,” Ndiaye said. “Increasing exposure will help attract new students.” Panelist Craig Lemak, chief operating officer for the Knoxville Center of the Deaf, said networking could help increase awareness of campus resources for students with disabilities. By holding open house events and allowing students and staff members to interact, Lemak said, “the problems will take care of themselves.” However, outside of postsecondary education, the panel acknowledged that finding employment for people with disabilities can still be a challenge. John Buckley, a retired UT professor in mass communications who is blind, said finding a job before coming to UT was incredibly difficult. “The biggest barrier was simply getting the interview,” Buckley said. See DISABILITY on Page 2
Country star Luke Bryan doesn’t stray too far from the farm ARTS & CULTURE >>pg. 3