Section A·Page 6
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The University Daily Kansan
Monday, September 11, 2000
Athletic Department to create code of conduct
Continued from page 1A
harassment were more prevalent among student-athletes than the rest of society.
"I don't think those 500 student-athletes and their behavior varies greatly from any 500 students you could nick at the University," he said.
denies you could pick at the University. He said Laura Montgomery, coordinator of the sexual assault prevention and education program at the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, said the percentage of reported assaults in the department was lower than the general population.
Montgomery said a 1992 report from the National Victim Center said 38 percent of all college women reported instances the legal definition of a rape or attempted rape.
She said that it was difficult for surveys to get accurate numbers.
"There's so much denial, so much guilt and so much shame involved," she said. "Many people don't even acknowledge it."
Excessive media attention on athletes creates a perception that these crimes are more prevalent among them. Montgomery said.
"We don't have any well-established studies, either on our campus or anywhere that I know of," she said, "that concretely establishes that there is more of a problem with athletics."
Sarah Clopton, last year's president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and former KU softball player, recommended the questions be added last fall after working at the Emily
Tavlor Women's Resource Center.
She said she did not think there was a problem with sexual assault among student-athletes.
Frederick said last year's survey included questions about alcohol, drugs and gambling.
the department attempted to educate athletes about sexual assault and harassment and to create a policy that would establish procedures if students reported sexual assault or harassment.
This summer, 105 student-athletes and 40 department staff participated in workshops run by the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) program, which is based at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society. All student-athletes were required to attend a lecture Aug. 28 by Jonathan Katz, founder of the MVP program.
"We have troubles," said Gary Kempf, director of student athlete life and coaching development. "They're prevalent across the country."
He said the department planned to train its staff in the methods of the MVP program.
Frederick said the department was working with the University General Counsel to finalize a department code of conduct, with guidelines for dealing with sexual assault, harassment.
He said he planned to present a code of conduct to the Athletic Board this academic year.
"It was my intent that we could have something that would make it very clear: If you did x, y would happen," Frederick said.
Snack time
Parents and children eat up at a reception following an official dedication of the Hilltop Child Development Center. A large crowd gathered early Saturday morning to witness the event and to take a look at the new school. Photo by Joanna Fewins/KANSAN
Margaret Amini dedication
Sarah Scott, the first president of Margaret Amiini Scholarship Hall, pays tribute to the hall's benefactor. A dedication of the hall was given Saturday for Margaret Amiini and the newly colonized building that she donated. Photo by Joanna Fewins/KANSAN
Students volunteer at Day of Caring
Groups rally together with the United Way to improve Lawrence
Kursten Phelps
Kursten Phelps
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
While most students slept in Saturday morning, some members of campus and greek living organizations volunteered for local agencies as part of the Douglas County United Way's annual Day of Caring.
on projects for organizations throughout Lawrence. Projects range from construction and physical labor to visiting children and elderly people throughout the community.
Alana Terry, Alpha Delta Pi sorority chairwoman, said five groups of women from the sorority worked on different projects, including helping at a community living organization and at the Lawrence Public Library.
Day of Caring is organized by the Roger Hill Volunteer Center of United Way. Each September, volunteers work
"We did a lot of painting, trimming and gardening," she said. "At the library, we helped with pricing and sorting books for the book sale."
Terry said about 580 people participated in the event, which kicked off United Way's annual fund drive.
"We got involved because it was a
great opportunity to get the girls out and into the community," Terry said. "I went out to a community living home, and it opens your eyes to see people in that situation."
Battenfeld Scholarship Hall also participated in the event. Jon Power, Battenfeld's community service chairman, said about 13 residents spent two to three hours at Clinton State Park cleaning, repairing and painting benches.
"We're a large group, and so we were looking for projects that needed a large number of people," he said.
He said KU's Center for Community Outreach helped students participate by providing a list of projects from which each group could choose.
Edited by John Audlehelm