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Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little discussed the University addressing sexual assault and donor influence. She said a group will work alongside the task force to discuss the effectiveness of the mandatory sexual assault training.
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University takes steps to address sexual assault
MCKENNA HARFORD
@McKennaHartford
Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little discussed University steps to address sexual assault and donor influence on Wednesday afternoon.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Gray-Little said that a group may be formed to work alongside the task force to address concerns about the effectiveness of the now-mandatory sexual assault training, and possibly create a new education program.
"My impression is that the programs we have now people listen to, and it goes kind of in one ear and out the other, so the question is can you have an educational or prevention program that actually gets the attention of the person
listening and helps them think about the consequences of their behavior in a more realistic way;" Gray-Little said. "That's really the goal."
The University has hired a temporary advocate at the Emily Taylor Center, who will guide students through the reporting process and provide support, in response to several groups who expressed concern on the issue.
"One of the reasons for the advocate is to make sure that a person understands what the policies and procedures mean and what they really imply should be done," Gray-Little said.
The University remains on the list of 85 schools currently under investigation by the Office of Civil Resources, which will evaluate Title IX policies and procedures for
compliance and clarity as well as look at staff training, but the investigation has not formally started. The chancellor said that no one from the federal office has come to the school yet and that it could take years for that to happen.
"They're probably overwhelmed with cases from universities on that list and their investigations tend to be rather slow anyway," Gray-Little said.
Although there have been an increasing number of reports to the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, the chancellor said she doesn't believe that there has been any concern coming from the office about investigating each report within the 60 days required by law.
"The increase in reports when more attention is brought to
it is a standard occurrence," Gray-Little said. "I have not heard that we have been unable to handle the cases that have come in. That may develop to be the case, in which case we would need to get additional help."
"I think that the question is whether academic programs or the nature of faculty research or things like that are determined by donors and for the most part that's what we want to avoid."
Kappa Sigma is being investigated by the University
BERNADETTE GRAY-LITTLE Chancellor
tor alleged sexual assaults and is currently on suspension until Oct. 31, which the chancellor said was due to the seriousness of the accusations.
Gray-Little said that the University has received a few letters of concern from students, faculty, community members and alumni, but the University ranking seems to be unrelated to the scrutiny.
"While people are concerned about the issue and the occurrence of sexual assault, I think they are not thinking about this one university, the University of Kansas, as unusual or different and in a way that's too bad," Gray-Little said. "In another way, in terms of reputation, it's beneficial, but it's too bad that it is a common problem."
The chancellor said Koch Industries is not different from any other donor and that without donors, the University would not be able to fund new buildings, faculty positions and scholarships.
KOCH
However, donors do not have the ability to make decisions outside of choosing what to fund.
"Their relationship with the university is not unlike other foundations or individual donors who chose to support students, faculty, buildings or other things." Gray-Little said.
"I think that the question is whether academic programs or the nature of faculty research or things like that are determined by donors and for the most part that's what we want to avoid," Gray-Little said.
— Edited by Logan Schlossberg
Investigation underway regarding missing midterms
CHANDLER BLANTON
@chandlerblanton
About 80 students in Ora McWilliams' Western Civilization II class were surprised to learn last week that the midterms they took on Oct. 8 were missing — and presumably stolen.
McWilliams was out of town at a conference the day of the exam, so the tests were administered by two department-approved proctors. The proctors put the completed midterms in manila envelopes and put them in McWilliams' mailbox. When McWilliams returned to campus, the tests were nowhere to be found.
Once we determined nobody in the program had the exams, we notified the Office of Public Safety," said Sandra Zimdars-Swartz, director of the Humanities and Western Civilization program. "We're following
The Humanities and Western Civilization department is closely following protocol to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
JAMES HOYT/KANSAN
University protocol by notifying campus police and people involved with privacy and turning things over to them to investigate."
The department is unable to say whether or not they have any suspects due to the investigation being ongoing, said Zimdars-Swartz.
"Until anyone is charged with misconduct or crime, it would be improper to name anyone as a suspect," said Danny Anderson, dean of liberal arts and sciences.
Quinn Kastner, a junior from Wichita, said that taking a replacement test was unfortunately the best option.
Student Senate met Wednesday evening to discuss excused absences within senate for athletes, as weil as concerns with bullied bus drivers and lighting off-campus. The senate also passed the resolution on the Student Health Services name change.
While the investigation is likely to continue for at least a week or two, students in the class are still wondering what's going to be done about their midterms. McWilliams declined to comment, but a student in the class has reported that the class has been given a take-home essay question to replace the midterm.
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Student Senate passes Watkins resolution, student-athlete bill
Student Senate met Wednesday night to discuss a multitude of issues including upcoming projects and resolutions.
Senate voted to approve a bill that would allow mandatory events for athletes to count as excused absences within Senate. The bill's main purpose is to engage more of the student-athlete population and allow for them to have more leeway to get involved in the Senate process.
ATHLETE SENATORS
I'm a member of student-athlete advisory committee, so I'm excited I get to go back and tell them they actually get to join and be a part of Senate," Templin said.
Sophia Templin, a sophomore journalism senator from DeSoto, who is also a member of the University's softball team, is one of the authors of the bill. She said she is thrilled with the bill's approval. Templin said many student-athletes have said they felt left out of last year's women's and non-revenue fee vote.
BULLIED BUS DRIVERS
Jenny Erice, a junior from Falls Church, Va., and senate's parking
CRYPTOQUIPS 6
OPINION 4
and transit coordinator, voiced her current concerns with the red 43 bus route and one stop at McColum Hall. According to Erice, students have been bullying bus drivers. She said there was at least one report of a student threatening to or actively spitting on a bus driver, as well as students kicking doors open. Erice condemned these actions and said it was unacceptable.
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"The [route] 43 bus drivers were subjected to such hostile bitter verbal harassment that many threatened to quit," Erice said.
Erice said the time point will remain at McColllum. The full Student Senate hasn't decided how to handle the issue yet.
Senate also voted to pass the resolution on the Student Health Services name change. Student Health Services can move forward with the name change to Watkins Health Services.
Senate also discussed progress on the off-campus lighting initiative. Student Body Vice President Miranda Wagner said during a meeting with the city, she learned that the particular section of Louisiana Street with the dimly lit parking lot will be redone in coming years, and the best option would be to research short-term solutions.
UFF-CAMPUS LIGHTING
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SUDOKU 6
Miranda Davis
All contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2014 The University Daily Kansan
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