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OCTOBER 24, 2019 • VOL. 97 NO. 04 • EST. 1924
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LOW REPORTS OF
VIOLENCE
ON CAMPUS Holly Hendershot, The Yellow Jacket
Clery Act data shows small schools experience less crime HOLLY HENDERSHOT Executive Editor
After every nationally reported violent incident on campuses across the United States, such as the recent University of North Carolina Charlotte shooting in April, where two students were killed and others injured, along with the rise of the #MeToo movement, there is an increased concern for safety on college campuses. Parents want to be sure their children will be safe, and students want to be sure the college they choose is one they can attend without the fear of dealing with violence alongside their college responsibilities. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, known simply as the Clery Act, requires all
colleges and universities that participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose statistics of crimes and offenses performed on or near their campuses. The statistics for the last three years must be made known in some way to students by October on a yearly basis. These statistics show that smaller schools generally have less reported violent offenses than larger colleges. Out of seven colleges in Southwestern Pennsylvania with an undergraduate student population under 1,500, three schools, including Waynesburg University, reported no rapes in the past three years reported. The other four schools in consideration reported less than six on their campuses within the past three years. Duquesne University, a school with an undergraduate student pop-
ulation of just over 6,000, reported 10 during three academic years. Schools with an even larger population reported far more rapes. Carnegie Mellon University, a school with approximately 7,000 undergraduate students, had 32 reported rapes in three years, and the University of Pittsburgh, a school with an undergraduate student population of 19,330, had 28. The counts of aggravated assault at colleges generally rise along with the student population as well, according to the crime statistics disclosed by schools. Christopher Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services, said he believes size is the main reason for the smaller amount of crimes reported on small campuses, as it allows administrators to have a closer relationship with a higher percentage of the students.
“Because of the size, … you really do, as an administrator or a security officer, get to know the students a little bit better than you would at a West Virginia or Penn State, where there are thousands of students across campus,” Hardie said. Waynesburg University also has less reported violent crimes than most other schools the same relative size in Southwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to having zero reports of rape in the last three years, there is only one report of aggravated assault in that time. Combined with two non-aggravated assaults reported, that still equals far less than nearby colleges its size, like Washington & Jefferson College, which reported 13 assaults from 2015-2017. Washington & Jefferson College has not yet included 2018 statistics in their report.
“It’s relatively safe here, especially with those higher end crimes, so we are talking about violence, harassment, stalking … I don’t see a lot of those come through my office,” Hardie said. “We do see a lot of other little stuff, like minor personal conflict, that don’t usually end in any physical altercation.” Waynesburg University reported one Violence Against Women Act crime. This was the least reported amount within three years among seven schools below an undergraduate student population of 1,500 in Southwestern Pennsylvania. La Roche University reported two, Chatham University and Geneva College reported seven and Thiel College reported 18. Washington & Jefferson College and Carlow University did not include this section in their reports.
Michael Humiston director of the Department of Public Safety, has worked at Waynesburg University for around 30 years. He said he has seen the number of reported incidents generally decline over the years. “When I first got here, we had social Greeks, fraternities and sororities, which bump those numbers up,” Humiston said. “Now that we don’t have them, those numbers have gone down.” Humiston also explained that because Waynesburg University is an open campus, the statistics may be influenced by the community in ways as well. “We do get some run-over from people who are not students here nor work at the university, but we have a very good working relationship RECORD >> A4
Pumpkinfest to jumpstart fall season College enrollment decrease impacts university strategy EMMA HERRLE
Social Media Manager
The Waynesburg University Student Activities Board will be holding an upcoming event with “all the pumpkins your heart could desire,” said Annalise Cardish, senior nursing major and president of the Student Activities Board. “Pumpkinfest” will be held Oct. 28 in Stover 301, 302 and 303. This event is free, and all students at the university are encouraged to attend. Several activities will be available for students including pumpkin and bisque painting, pumpkin carving, music and food to enjoy. “It’s a fun and free activity on campus,” said Ryan Smith, assistant director of student activities. “It’s a stress-relieving event, where students can come hang out with friends, meet new people and enjoy fall related activities or foods.” The event is held annually due to its popularity with students. “We are hoping for a decent turn-out and for students to enjoy themselves,” Smith said. Cardish said Smith have been working hard recently to make sure all supplies and materials are in order for the upcoming event. The planning includes working with the Benedum Dining
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For The Yellow Jacket
Hailey Beck, For The Yellow Jacket
Pumpkinfest will take place Oct. 28 in Stover Campus Center in rooms 301, 302 and 303. The event is free, and all students are encouraged to attend. Hall to make sure pumpkin desserts and cider are provided, making phone calls to confirm that bisque will be provided by Gloria Ceramics, a popular supplier for SAB events, and ensuring that all of the pumpkins make their way to the third floor of Stover in time. Smith plans to purchase all of the pumpkins within the next few weeks. “My job is just to ensure that we have the materi-
als, supplies and people to make sure we are prepared for our events,” Smith said. If painting or carving is not your forté, there will be a plethora of fall treats available to those who attend. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin gobs, nut rolls and apple cider are just a few to be expected. “Even if you’re not into painting, it will still be a great time to relax with friends and enjoy some self care,” Cardish said.
This event will take place at the busy mid-point in the semester when students may need it most. Cardish and Smith encourage students to take a break from their studies and the stress of classes and attend Pumpkinfest as a time to unwind and relax. “Oh, it’s going to be a grand old time,” Cardish said. “It’s definitely going to be fun and relaxing, and there will be a lot to do.”
From 2013-2015, higher education enrollment was at a staggering 19 million. However, in more recent years, the number has dropped to 17 million enrollees, a net loss of nearly two million. Higher education is facing the mounting challenge of recruitment. There are t wo cri tical problems. Firstly, the overall pool of the college-aged generation is shrinking, and more and more students are pursuing the various trades, according to statistics. Trade schools are becoming popular and acting as an alternative to the four-year degree. This decrease has a deep impact on college admissions strategies. Waynesburg has counselors of its own who are affected by this loss of potential students. Waynesburg Admissions Counselor Kyle DiGiandomenico shared how this change is impacting his job, as well as others at the university. “It makes our job significantly harder. When the
pool isn’t big enough, there are not as many students to recruit. Pairing that with trying to recruit the right type of student poses a challenge,” DiGiandomenico said. Brainstorming how to combat these challenges can be difficult. Emily Smelley, another admissions counselor at Waynesburg, said the strategies to combat these challenges include a greater push to convince families of the worth of the college education, especially at Waynesburg University. “There is a decline of students attending college, and a decline in general with this generation,” she said. “We share our experiences with all the families we meet. We tell them everything Waynesburg related, and then they decide where they want to go. With the large number of universities available and the smaller pool of students attending, that has had a huge impact on the declining enrollment for higher education.” Colleges must find ways to remain current in a changing climate such as DROP >> A4