ISSUE NO. 20, VOLUME CXXI WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015 The LeaderState University of New York at Fredonia SPRING HEADLINER CONCERT RETURNS B-6 Mary Laing / Photo Editor Hellogoodbye performs in Steele Hall as part of the Sring Headliner Concert. A-2 The Leader, Wednesday, April 15, 2015 1.7 million kids ‘It's On Us’ campaign launches with pledge plus 130 years Campaign strives to raise awareness and put an end to sexual assault on campus plus 1,000s BRITTANY PERRY community can help prevent sex- together to stop this.” (rape, sexual assault, dating/domes- of volunteers Special to The Leader ual violence by being empowered “It’s On Us” is not the first tic violence, stalking and harass- bystanders.” instance this year of advocate ment). CEASE provides profession- equals endless “I pledge to recognize that non- According to the FBI’s 2013 groups attempting to end sexual als who can answer questions, be possibilities consensual sex is sexual assault, to Uniform Crime Reports, only 10 assault on campus. someone to talk to, offer emotional identify situations in which sexual of the 64 SUNY schools were Earlier in the Fall semester, support and provide referrals. assault may occur, to intervene in mentioned in the data collection, the Women’s Student Union had “I don't think nearly enough situations where consent has not and only 11 rapes were reported a table on the corner of Temple people really get a comprehensive or cannot be given and to create in four of the 10 listed schools. St. and Old Main Dr. where they sex-ed as a teenager, and when they be part of an environment in which sexual come to college it’s not really any assault is unacceptable and survi- different. There are some programs the equation vors are supported.” “I PLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE THAT NON- in place that help with this — that The Fresh Air Fund sends thousands of city Fredonia’s Sexual Assault Task CONSENSUAL SEX IS SEXUAL ASSAULT, TO talk about sex and sexual assault — children to visit volunteer host families in the Force asks students and faculty to but I don’t think they really expose Northeast every summer, and the families enjoy the experience as much as the children take this very pledge from April IDENTIFY SITUATIONS IN WHICH SEXUAL everyone to the issues involved. I who visit them. We need you to be part of 14-16 in the McEwen Hall Lobby ASSAULT MAY OCCUR, TO INTERVENE think I would really like to see a the equation. Become a host family today. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. mandatory sort of freshmen semi- The “It’s On Us” campaign IN SITUATIONS WHERE CONSENT HAS nar that covers this kind of thing,” strives to raise awareness and put NOT OR CANNOT BE GIVEN AND TO Ongley said. 1.800.367.0003 www.freshair.org an end to sexual assault on col- “It's On Us” is sponsored by Please contact: lege campuses. It is part of the CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH the Title IX and Sexual Violence Renae Sheldon at 716.366.3347 White House Task Force to Protect SEXUAL ASSAULT IS UNACCEPTABLE Task Force, in collaboration with Students from Sexual Assault Student Counseling Services, launched by President Barack AND SURVIVORS ARE SUPPORTED.” Student Affairs, Pride Alliance, Obama in 2014. -CAMPUS PLEDGE Women’s Student Union, Students Inspired by the White House’s Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality mission to end sexual assault on and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. campus, Fredonia formed its own Fredonia was not on the FBI’s list, gave out condoms, granola bars Students, faculty and staff task force. but according to our own Campus and information about consent and can sign the “It's On Us” pledge and “The Task Force was formed Safety Report, there was only one sexual assault, since most instances are encouraged to create a photo or this fall with the goal of imple- on-campus sexual assault reported of sexual assault happen in the “red video message to show their sup- menting the procedures and policies from 2011-2013. zone,” or the first few weeks of the port. The photos and videos will contained in the SUNY Policies These low numbers can be tell- school year. be posted to the Instagram page for on Sexual Violence Prevention ing of themselves, and the main For students who have been the event (@fredonia_its_on_us). and Response,” said Coordinator goal of the Task Force is to bring sexually assaulted or would like The table will also include informa- of Substance Abuse and Violence awareness to this issue that is under- more information in the event that tion about campus and community Prevention Julie Bezek. “The group reported and to guide victims to get a sexual assault does occur, the resources for what to do if you have A copy of our annual financial report may be obtained from The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017 (212-897-8900). The official registration and financial information of The Fresh Air Fund is currently working on implement- the help they need. Substance Abuse and Violence been sexually assaulted. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Ⓒ2008 The Fresh Air Fund. Photographs by James Levine. ing the various initiatives, includ- “Personally, I’m hoping that Prevention program, an out- “The issue of sexual violence ing affirmative consent, alcohol people start to see sexual assault reach service of Fredonia Student affects people we care about, and irs.gov/eitc and drug amnesty, campus climate as a real problem that occurs on Counseling Services, coordinates everyone has the power to do some- assessment, survivor Bill of Rights, college campuses, to realize that it Campus Education Awareness thing, whether it’s supporting a sur- sexual violence response policy and is something that happens every- Support and Effect (CEASE); vivor or intervening in a situation reporting, and student education. where, and it can happen to any- the Violence Prevention/Victim that could lead to sexual violence. We are sponsoring the ‘It's On Us’ one,” said senior women and gen- Services program. The CEASE pro- We all have the responsibility to campaign as part of the effort to der studies major Rae Ongley, a gram provides advocacy and sup- take action and do our part to pre- raise awareness of sexual violence member of the Sexual Assault Task port for Fredonia students that are vent sexual violence,” Bezek said. on campus and how the campus Force. “Everyone needs to come survivors of interpersonal violence Department of Communication to host Honors Celebration KORTNEY YOUNG ed about it over the years, and it radio and media management, will deserve to be rewarded, and we Special to The Leader just sort of didn’t go anywhere. be receiving the Anne Bernstein have many outstanding students.” And then when the student asked, Memorial Fund. This scholarship Another recipient, Kimberly Every Spring semes- we went, ‘Okay, if a student is recognizes an outstanding female Bright, a sophomore double major ter a department-wide Honors asking, then we’ve got to do this,’” senior in broadcast journalism that in audio/radio and video produc- Celebration is hosted by the said Brigance. has shown leadership not only in tion, will be awarded the Edward Department of Communication Some of the goals of Lambda communication but in other aspects S. Edelman Scholarship. This in order to recognize students Pi Eta are to recognize, foster and on campus, as well. scholarship is awarded to a return- who have been outstanding in the reward scholastic achievement “Being involved in other ing student who exemplifies excel- department. This year’s ceremony in communication studies, pro- aspects besides communication lence in WCVF, the campus’ radio is slated for Saturday, April 18, mote professional development, was probably what got me recog- station, for at least one year. at 2 p.m. in the Williams Center and establish closer relationships nized. I’m involved in athletics, I’m “I’m really involved in the Horizon Room. Richard Ryan, between faculty and students. involved heavily in communica- station — I do a one hour show on associate director of development “I believe it is important for tions with two majors, I’m involved WCVF called Lover Call, and I’m at Fredonia, will serve as the key- Fredonia to have a chapter because with student groups, I work with an assistant, so I’m here a lot, my note speaker. we have students in each of our six [the] Student Association,” said presence is here a lot,” said Bright. For this year’s induction cere- majors who are committed to high Devine. “I like to think that I’m The Department of mony, 20 new students will be join- academic achievement, and this is involved, sometimes I think I’m Communication will continue to ing Fredonia’s chapter of Lambda a way to publicly acknowledge and over involved. I wonder if that was search for students who exceed the Pi Eta, an international honor soci- celebrate their accomplishments,” the reason I was among a more departments standards. ety of the National Communication said Brigance. select few applicants.” “I think that kind of recogni- Association (NCA). The department also has eight The scholarship money will tion is necessary and important. If you make less than $42,000, Dr. Linda Brigance has been a scholarships that the faculty works be deposited into Devine’s Spring Students need to know that they fi nd out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.