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OPINION
10
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Consent conversation is a step in the
right direction, but cannot stop there
BY CLARE
FORRISTER
Staff Writer
Sex without consent is never okay.
This certainty unites all of Guilford's recent efforts
toward changing students' approach to consent.
The issue is not an easy one to solve, especially with
many varied and conflicting approaches.
However, because of the conviction of
everyone working on this issue, Guilford
is on its way toward a much-improved
approach to sex, communication and
accountability.
"We have people unified in promoting
(consent) in a society that has a hard time
with that issue," said Assistant Dean of
Career and Community Learning Alan
Mueller. "But, there are more areas to
educate and teach advocacy. Where are
the places that we're not reaching? Who
sees this as just a t-shirt, and who sees
that it is a way of living?"
Things are looking up, but this uphill battle will
only ever reach victory if people take advantage of the
momentum and continue wording together to reach the
goal of a safer, more informed campus.
Last spring, after Guilford was placed on the list of
colleges under federal investigation for policies toward
sexual assault, the administration began making changes.
However, the change started even earlier than that with
a letter written by Sexual Assault Awareness Support &
Advocacy to the administration last fall demanding an
improvement in campus policy.
Now, Guilford is committed more than ever to
educating students about consent, creating an ongoing
dialogue, and going through the proper motions when
something goes wrong.
"I'd like students to understand that our primary
focus is supporting them and assisting them and that we
investigate as much as (necessary) to get the answers that
are out there and to make a solid decision," said Interim
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Jen Agor in an email interview.
The problem is being tackled from different angles,
such as that of the administration, the judicial system,
student affairs and students themselves. All sides must
cooperate to create an effective response to the problems
of the past.
This year's consent campaign is one such effort. It aims
to coordinate educational activities about consent into
one comprehensive plan. Everyone should get behind the
campaign's cause.
"(The point of the campaign is) to promote consent
and prevent sexual violence by encouraging consent
as a positive and necessary part of all sexual relations.
and relations in general," said sophomore Molly Anne
Marcotte, a peer health and wellness educator who works
on the campaign.
Marcotte points out that one hindrance to survivors of
sexual assault is that they don't know where to seek help.
"It is important to continue promoting information
across campus about the ways in which we support
survivors," said Marcotte in an email interview. "Many
students, survivors or otherwise ... are simply unaware
that Guilford has such extensive support options
available."
Change has begun, but for students' sakes, it must
continue.
"The conversation needs to be ongoing," said Julie
Winterich, chair of women's, gender & sexuality studies,
in an email interview. "For students, that means having
honest conversations about gender, expectations about
partying, hook-ups and sex, and under what conditions
one can and cannot give consent."
Many forget that issue of consent is not only about
sexual assault. Consent applies in many situations.
"Consent is an agreement," said sophomore and
treasurer of SAASA Colin Nollet. "It just isn't one-sided.
A lot of the time people say 'you need to ask for consent,'
but you also need to give it. It's about communication
because you can't assume you know what the other
person's thinking."
Junior and SAASA member Marek Wojtala is concerned
about sexual assault on Guilford's campus but can see a
positive outcome ahead.
"I'm hopeful," said Wojtala. "What's making me
optimistic right now is President Jane Fernandes
recognizing that this is a huge issue. And, I think
Guilford's hand is kind of forced, after being named as
being under review for how we handle sexual assault.
They have to do something about it." ’
Guilford is not the only college grappling with this
issue.
According to The New York Times, President Obama
gave a speech on Sept. 19 about sexual assault on college
campuses. Obama called for "a fundamental shift in our
culture."
Guilford has already begun that shift.
"All colleges need to have these conversations," said
Winterich. "I believe Guilford is well-poised to show
leadership about how to have these open discussions
across our community."
Practicing consent means giving and having the
freedom to say no. That freedom is essential, and if
Guilford continues to rally around it, we can pave the
way to a college community that is safer and better for
everyone here.
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Bureaucracy endangers
mental health care in
North Carolina
BY BANNING
WATSON
Staff Writer
"Jail is no place for people with
mental health problems, but
that's where too many of them are
ending up right now. That's where
we're putting them because we're
not given the money to do what
we'cT like to do, what we really
should be doing for them."
Kay fashion, Guilford County
commissioner to the News & Record
The North Carolina state government is weighing the
fate of public mental health care facilities and potentially
shutting down locally controlled centers in a bid for
"efficiency."
The state of North Carolina crurrently
hosts nine state-run local management
entities (LMEs), but that number could
be dropped to four as soon as next year
if the proposed consolidation passes the
General Assembly.
This bid for consolidation comes
as a result of ongoing budget cuts,
with another nearly $25 million cut
from the Division of Mental Health,
Developmental Disabilities and
Substance Abuse Services 2014-15
budget, which funds the LMEs.
Many people, including mental
health care professionals, believe this
cutting and consolidation is a mistake and is going to
cause serious damage to the North Carolina population
as a whole through knock-on effects in increased crime,
recidivism, homelessness and use of the jails and prisons
to house the mentally ill.
This round of proposed consolidation follows on the
heels of previous efforts, including the forced merger of
Guilford Center into the Sandhills Center in 2013. Around
that time, the director of the Guilford Center stepped
dovm, citing budget cuts and damage to patient care.
One unintended result of this merger was that many
people lost access to care and, with nowhere else to go,
landed in the local justice system.
"Jail is no place for people with mental health problems,"
said Kay Cashion, Guilford county commissioner to The
News & Record. "But, that's where too many of them are
ending up right now. That's where we're putting them
because we're not given the money to do what we'd like
to do, what we really should be doing for them."
Keep in mind that this is just the effect of two small
organizations being merged. It is difficult to imagine the
effect of more extensive consolidation across the entire
state.
Some LMEs such as Coastal Care, serving five coimties
in eastern N.C., don't know exactly what to expect from
the consolidation or whether there will be personnel
reductions.
"It's in the weeds right now," said Kate Murphy,
communications specialist and media representative for
Coastal Care. "The individuals receiving services are our
top priority."
Other LMEs such as Eastpointe, covering 12 eastern
N.C. counties, seem more optimistic about the change.
"Ultimately, consolidation will provide a number
of benefits, including cost savings for the state," said
Penny Casto, media representative for Eastpointe, via
email. "Providers will benefit from standardization and
streamlined processes."
There is, so far, very little evidence to suggest that
savings can be achieved without significant loss of access
to quality care.
As for streamlining procedures, Victoria Whitt, chief
executive officer of Sandhills, and Casto begged to differ.
Loss of local input is a big red flag.
"Bigger gets away from local management and makes
it harder to keep management in the community," Whitt
said.
The major problem is that many people are not well-
informed on this issue and, as a result, it's happening
quietly, relentlessly and without public approval.
Cafhie Witty, counselor for the center for continuing
education, expects it will keep happening unless we, as a
community, speak up.
"It's the state legislature strangle-holding part of the
budget they think they can get away with," said Witty.
"Which they can if Guilford's not going to take a stand
and fight back."