Yellow Jacket
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Mocktail event will give alternatives to consuming alcohol Responsibility, binge drinking to be discussed By Carson Fox
Editorial Assistant
Waynesburg University nursing students will be holding a mocktail event during lunch hours in the Beehive and during dinner hours on Thursday, Nov. 14. The group, consisting of senior nursing majors Kaitlin Oliver, Jaimie White, Shayla Mitrik, Megan Weinstock, Chaelyn Cross and Megan Erickson, will have a prize wheel for students to win prizes after answering alcohol-related questions, in addition to obtaining information on binge drinking and alcohol responsibility. Without the hindrance of parental control, college age students have the choice to become exposed to social settings where alcoholic beverages or illegal substances are present. In some cases, those who choose to use these substances cannot control themselves because of impaired judgment, which can lead to extreme sickness or possibly death. The worst part is other students who have used these substances or are caught in a situation around illegal substances choose not to get themselves help for fear of consequences. “In nursing, our primary focus is patient safety,” said Oliver. “So if there are consequences involved, I’d rather face the consequences than allow my friend to die. I couldn’t live with that guilt for the rest of my life because I was afraid of what I would get in trouble for if I allowed my friend to die.” Next week, the group of nursing students will be holding the event to address the prevalent issue of binge drinking on campuses. The students’ goal is to generate conversation about the topic because some students abuse alcohol to cope with the stress of college life and often go off-campus to do so. The nursing students say there are other ways to enjoy themselves without drinking. “I think it’s important to
get people to talk about it. I don’t think a lot of people understand that it’s really quick from just passing out and getting blood alcohol poisoning,” said White. “I think people laugh it off that people pass out, but it could be something far more deadly. It’s very important that we educate the public and it’s all about prevention and patient safety.” Assistant Professor of Nursing Melany Chrash has students conduct a community assessment every semester and, based upon the concluding data, make decisions on what programs to offer for the next semester. According to Chrash’s Clinical Prevention and Community Health class’s findings, there is a high statistic for both DUI incidents in Greene County and binge drinking among young people. Chrash believes it is important for Waynesburg University students to be aware of the risk factors that come along with binge drinking. “[Students] might not think they have a problem with alcohol, but when they sit down and have four or five drinks and don’t realize what kind of danger that is putting them in, not only is it hard physiologically on their body, but every time you binge drink you kill off brain cells,” said Chrash. “We can educate students [to use] everything in moderation, but especially alcohol [because] these are people who are young and are experimenting in what they can and can’t do.” In addition to Oliver’s response that students may feel afraid of degradation because they drink, Chrash said the students will be challenged with getting people to show up because they are busy. But if students can learn the adverse effects of binge drinking, positive coping skills and how they can have fun without consuming alcoholic beverages from the mocktail event, Chrash believes it could keep students out of risky situations. “I think the hardest thing that young people don’t understand is that when you binge drink, it puts you in situations that you might not otherwise be in because you’re pretty drunk after four or five drinks,” said Chrash.
November 7, 2013
Chapel
Jeff Champ, Yellow Jacket
Waynesburg welcomes rev. poteet
Rev. Carolyn Poteet, Waynesburg University's new Director of Faith and Mission, greeted the Waynesburg community Nov. 5 as the speaker at Chapel. She described a recent experience in her life to the congregation as a way of expressing how she believes a silver lining is present in every negative situation.
Dawson will have double duty during visit Visitor will speak at Chapel before lecture By Austin Anderson For the Yellow Jacket
Tuesday, Nov. 12 will be a big day on the Waynesburg campus, as Rev. Donald Dawson, the director of World Mission Initiative, a division of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, will be on campus to speak during the chapel service at 11 a.m., as well as speaking at 7 p.m. in Robert’s Chapel. Dawson has been serving in the mission field for more than 30 years, mainly as a pastor, and has held the post of director of WMI since 2000. “When I was wrestling with whom could I get to emphasize a call to mission and respond to God’s call of service, the Lord brought to mind Don Dawson,” said Wilson. “I’ve known him for years, and he happens to head up the program in Pittsburgh called World Mission Initiative, so I put in a call to see if he was available. Unbelievablely, I got straight through to him.” Rev. Donald Wilson, interim director of Christian Life at Waynesburg University, was ecstatic about being able
to bring in someone with the caliber of knowledge Dawson possesses in mission-driven service. “We picked up where we left off years ago. He agreed he wanted to come down and give us a day-plus to answer any questions and to talk about any nurturing to call to mission,” said Wilson. Wilson has high hopes for Dawson when he speaks at the Nov. 12 chapel service. “I expect [Dawson] to challenge us to think about God calling us to share the gospel,” said Wilson. “We are missionaries no matter what occupation may be. If we are Christians we have the responsibility to share the gospel.” Wilson continued to emphasize how all believers in Christ should be a missionary. “If we are Christians, we
have the responsibility to share the gospel,” said Wilson. “I don’t care if we are a school teacher, a policeman, a nurse, a doctor, an accountant or a pastor. The job is to go to into all of the world, sharing the gospel, and we are being true to our mission to stress faith and learning and to wrap it up in our mission.” Wilson expects the two events to have many similarities, yet a lot of differences. “[I expect it to be] a lot more informal, and to have people pick his brain about how they can serve as mission workers no matter what it is,” said Wilson. Wilson explained some of the mission opportunities available right here on campus. “Our Bonner program is a classic example of real mission work right here. Habi-
tat for Humanity is another example of mission work,” said Wilson. “Some of our people going out helping in local Churches, that’s mission work. I’m hoping on that Tuesday evening we can pick his brain and he can stimulate us to think about what more we could do and how we can do it.” Wilson wants the students to ponder a specific question, especially during the evening event. “I hope it challenges the student to think, ‘I wonder if there is more I can do? Do I need to re-think that vocational direction that I’m going to? Can I better prepare myself for when I go into the community to be a teacher, to keep my eyes open for mission efforts and ways I can work?’” said Wilson. “Whether it can be through a local church, through Habitat, through Salvation Army, through a Sunday School class, but any ways that they can share their faith.” Wilson encourages all students to go to both events Nov. 12. “The [chapel service] will be informative, the [night event] will be informative and challenging,” said Wilson. “It [the evening event] will especially give you a chance in a casual way to exchange ideas, ask questions and seek where mission work is in the world today."
Good Samaritan policy protects responsible students WU partners with school in England By Carson Fox
Editorial Assistant
According to Assistant Dean of Student Services Chris Hardie, Waynesburg University has a program designated for student safety called Good Samaritan, which is in place for students who are intoxicated. Hardie explained that if a student comes upon another student that is visibly intoxicated or if they themselves are intoxicated, the student can report the incident immediately to campus security, 911 or some type of campus official or administrator. “It’s a great policy in that we want our students to contact the police or public safety even if they are intoxicated themselves,” said Hardie. “In the way it’s worded, you would be out of the disciplinary process, but you would still sit down with us as a panel." The panel would weigh all the facts of the case, come up with what it felt was a fair, just sanction if an incident went unreported and would make a decision depending on the severity on a case-bycase basis. Also, there may be
some legal ramifications that would superceed the university depending on the facts of the case. Hardie noted this policy has yet to come into play in any scenario. Director of Public Safety Mike Humiston hopes students feel more comfortable calling campus security because Good Samaritan helps ease some of the pressure of reporting a heavily intoxicated student. Humiston hopes people around those who are severely intoxicated take an interest in their safety and help them make smart decisions. “Whether we have the policy in place or not, it’s better than having your friend, an associate or another student go to the hospital, fall into an alcohol poison coma or lose their life,” said Humiston. “I think it’s a pretty easy answer and decision to make to call campus security so my roommate won’t expire because they were intoxicated to the point where they couldn’t take care of themselves.” According to Hardie, the university offers an alcohol prevention workshop on campus.
By Rebecca Burcham For the Yellow Jacket
Waynesburg University is making strides to connect in a study abroad partnership with Northumbria University – located in Newcastle, England – by next year. Dr. Jon Robinson, director of international business for the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Northumbria, recently visited the campus of Waynesburg to discuss a partnership between the two schools’ forensic science programs. Waynesburg students have had the opportunity to study abroad at Northumbria for two years, as a result of a 2011 agreement between the two schools. Since then, a number of Waynesburg students have spent a semester in Newcastle, but the upcoming partnership will seek to make the exchange a twoway street. “Northumbria became interested in a student exchange after hearing about the success of our forensic science program and the placements and career opportunities available to graduates of our program,” said Waynesburg University
“Studying abroad is a good thing, but when we can create connections between specific departments, that is a great thing.”
Dr. Jon Robinson
Director of International Business at Northumbria University
Provost Dr. Jacquelyn Core in a press release. “It is a tremendous advantage that they recognize the strength of our forensics program.” In addition to the exceptional forensics programs offered by both schools, life lessons can also be gleaned from studying abroad. During his visit, Robinson spoke to Waynesburg University students about the culture in Newcastle and what they might experience by studying abroad. “By studying abroad, Waynesburg University students will have the opportunity to learn more about the world and about themselves,” said Robinson. “It shapes them for life.” Professor Evonne Baldauff, chair of the chemistry and forensic science department at Waynesburg University, also looks forward to the benefits the exchange program will bring.
“It will be so exciting for our forensic science students to learn from their faculty and for their students to learn from ours,” said Baldauff. According to Dr. Sut Sakchutchawan, associate professor of business administration and the director of International Studies at Waynesburg University, many Waynesburg faculty members met with Robinson during his visit to strengthen Waynesburg’s relationship with Northumbria. “A f t e r t wo ye ar s of Waynesburg University students having the opportunity to study abroad at Northumbria, it would be a great opportunity for the university to explore a higher level of educational collaboration,” said Sakchutchawan. The basic workings of the partnership are typical of any exchange program, so students should not be surprised by what they will experience
if they decide to apply and take part in the study abroad program. Students studying forensic science at Northumbria and Waynesburg will participate in semester-long exchanges to learn more about their field of study in another country, said Core. Over 33,000 students from more than 125 countries are currently enrolled at Northumbria University. Based on the popular, safe and vibrant city of Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumbria offers some of the best academic and social experiences possible. “Studying abroad is a good thing, but when we can create connections between specific departments, that is a great thing,” said Robinson. “It’s so important to bring people together from different cultures, backgrounds and ideas; we hope to break down barriers and make these institutions more global.” The official partnership agreement between Waynesburg and Northumbria hasn’t been finalized as of yet, but the expected starting point for the exchange program is the fall semester of 2014, according to Sakchutchawan.