NEWS
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Sexual assault investigation spurs policy and social change
BY ULY LOU
Staff Writer
On May 1, under Utle DC's gender
equality provision, the U.S. Department of
Education's Office for Qvil Rights released
a list of 55 universities—^whidi has now
expanded to 76 universities including
consent party which was promoting very
direct and very forward conversations about
anything sort of sexual in that manner."
Previously, Guilford faced a problem
involving under-reporting sexual assault
statistics.
Taking that into accoimt, Guilford
has fix^ problems associated with its
& Sexual Violence." Students and staff have had varying views
"It wasn't perfect, but it was a very good on Guilford's sexual assault policies in the
effort and it gave staff a lot of information," past.
said Assistant Professor of Mathematics "I believe that they discouraged me from
Dani Moran. seeking justice and did not provide any care
In its new policies, Guilford has also given for me or the other person that was a victim
clearer definitions of sexual misconduct in my particular instance," said junior Cara
domestic violence and stalking, as well as Messina about her experience of reporting
clarified and improved their consent policy, sexual assault at Guilford. "I have had others
In addition, statistics of domestic violence teU me about their particular experiences,
di€
its sexual assault policy.
"Guilford has always
taken sexual misconduct
very seriously and has
investigated promptly and
thoroughly any case we
became aware of, except in
instances where the student
requested that no further
action be taken," said Jen
Agor, interim vice president
for student affairs and dean
of students.
Guilford has run many programs aimed at
reducing sexual assault, including the "Keep
it Consensual" campaign during the 2013-
can now be found on the Buzz, the school's Security Report.
Guilford College — under investigation for online anonymous reporting form. Before,
their handling of sexual assault cases. Since complaints rose over its being hard to find
then, Guilford has made several changes to and having technical difficulties. The form and stalking have been added to its Annual and they too felt that fi\e process was lacking.
'To me and other victims I have talked to,
Guilford seems to be more
interested in protecting its
own reputation. I have met
with people in Campus
Life, and I do believe they
care about helping victims
and seeking justice, but
they are understaffed and
ill equipped to handle these
situations."
At the beginning of each
"... (J)ust this past weekend, we had a consent party which was promoting very direct
and very forward conversations about anything sort of sexual in tLt manner."
Ben Evans, junior
website and in the student handbook. A flyer containing information on year, Guilford conducts sexual misconduct
That, however, is not the only change reporting sexual assault, accessing medical training during first-year orientation, with
Guilford has made. help, gatiiering evidence and the next steps the athletics teams, in FYE labs, in Res Life
Recently, Guilford College created a in tiie judicial process has been created and programming and in other areas.
14 school year, which aimed at increasing category of position titled "Campus Security widely circulated. "Students need comprehensive training
awareness of the meaning and importance Authority" that includes 120 people. Their Guilford has also added wellness throughout all their years at Guilford,"
of consent. job is to report criminal offenses including programming to Community Director said Julie Wlnterich, chair and associate
"They promoted it in a lot of different sexual violence, hate crimes and arrests. Kristie WyatPs position, which allows her professor of sociology & anthropology. "It's
venues all aroimd campus in different events Guilford has also created a mandatory online to focus on training and education about not enough to introduce the concept m FYE
but also at parties," said junior Ben Evans, course for staff members titled "Faculty and consent, bystander intervention, safe sex and orientation or lab and stop the conversation.
"Actually, just this past weekend, we had a Staff Training on Preventing Discrimination other important wellness topics. The conversation needs to be ongoing."
Twelve new faculty arrive for 2014-15
BY EMHA RUHPL
Staff Writer
V ^ ♦
Freshly mowed green grass, soaring lush trees and bustiing adorable squirrels. This is the scene
that welcomed GuilJFord's 12 new full-time faculty members in August.
"I liked the feel of the college," said Professor of Business Management Michael Dutch when asked
why he chose Guilford. "I think the sense of community the college touts is real, and you can feel that
when you walk on the campus. I find that very attractive."
Betsy Mesard, visiting assistant professor of religious studies, said she felt at home at Guilford.
"I've had a wonderful time here so far," said Mesard. "It has been great getting to know other
faculty.
"All summer I heard wonderful things about the students, and I'm glad that I'm finally having the
chance to know students as well."
^fisiting Instructor of Sport Studies Michelle Wells shares a similar view. «
"I've been impressed with how responsible the students are and how much they take ownership of
their learning," said Wells in an email interview. 'The faculty and staff have been incredibly nice, and
I'm pleased to see how inclusive everyone is."
Although the new professors have only been teaching courses at Guilford for a week, they already
have expectations for students during and after their time in college.
Both Dutch and Ron Cardwell, assistant professor of accoimting, suggested that they want their
students to be able to approach and make decisions in an ethical basis.
"I don't define what mat ethical basis is for them, but I point them to different ways to determine
that," said Dutch.
Assistant Professor of Mathematics Danielle Moran has two different — but equally important —
expectations.
"I hope (the students) continue to ask questions and learn new things that interest them, even if
they don't have much to do with anything else," said Moran. "The other is more of an attitude — I
hope they take with them the principle of equality, the idea that they themselves are not worth less
than anyone else, nor are they worth more."
Students are not the only ones who are expected to live up to certain standards.
"I expect that a new professor would be excited to teach at Guilford," wrote a student who requested
to remain anonymous in an email interview. "He or she should be prepared to teach a lot but also to
learn a lot, since Guilford is so unique and rich in culture."
"Providing a setting and engagement for students to learn in, no matter which way or type of
learning they excel in," is what a different student who requested to remain anonymous said in reply
for the expectations of new faculty.
Assistant Professor of English Myl^ne Dressier also had advice to offer the new faculty.
"(Faculty members) have to stay light on our feet," said Dressier. "We are a very diverse and
dynamic community, and our classrooms are full of surprises, and we have to be ready for that."
Hflio’s fim to our f^Hy?
^iia»B^Track Faculty
Ron Cardwell, Accounting
Krista Craverr, Justice 8c Policy
Studies
Michael Dutch, Business
Landon Huffman, Sport Studies
Danielle Moran, Mathematics
Holly Peterson, Geology
Christine Stracey, Biology
*^islting^^ Positions
Will Mackin, Biology
Betsy Mesard, Religious Studies
Jeanette Acevedo Rivera, Foreign
Languages
Michelle Wells, Spo/t
Management
Kenneth Zogry,/f/story
SENATE UPDATE
this week*s developments
Community Senate hosted its first
open meeting this past Monday
In Founders Hall. The Executive
Council shared the structure of
the Community Senate, as well
Introduced the Senator Program that
1s coming back after many years.
Executive
Council
Steering
Committee
Student
Budget
Committee
r ^
_ I I Inter-club
Senate I I Council
next week*s plans
President Jane Fernandes will visit
Community Senate on Monday, Sept.
8, at 7:00 p.m. In Founders Hall.
.tjt .... .*J
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Compiled by Jose F. Oliva. Community Senate president