Bridgewater State University Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University The ommeC nt Campus Journals and Publications 1987 The ommeC nt, November 19, 1987 Bridgewater State College Volume 65 Number 9 Recommended Citation Bridgewater State College. (1987). The Comment, November 19, 1987. 65(9). Retrieved from: http://vc.bridgew.edu/comment/595 This item is available as part of Virtual Commons, the open-access institutional repository of Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts. lllllllll,,llt The Comment Bridgewater State College November 19, 1987 Vol. LXV No. 9 Bridgewater, MA BSC student victim of sexual assault By Christine Howard Chiocca said that the police what happened and of the (at Health Services). They don't them," he said, "I would hope if and Bill Bilodeau have some leads as to the identity attacker(s), and then take the have the proper equipment to do they (the victims) feel that they of the suspects, but refused to victim immediately to the that (examination)." A proper are strong enough to withstand Bridgewater Police report that a comment further, as the case is hospital. examination at a competent trial they would prosecute." rape occured on campus some­ still under investigation. Bridgewater State Director of medical facility can often detect He added that the police will time late Thursday night, or early Reportedly, the victim returned Health Services, Judy Deep, said skin color, hair color, blood type, "hold the victim's hand 11 all Friday morning. to the dorm and related the that the college's health officials even determine clothing (of the through the prosecution if he or The young woman was incident to the dorm authorities. were never officially notified, that attacker). she decides to prosecute. returning to her dorm, Pope Hall, The Bridgewater Police were they heard about the incident However, he noted that all of when she was accosted from the called and the victim was taken to second hand. this evidence is useless without Campus police officer Janice rear and forced into the back seat Cardinal Cushing Hospital in Chiocca feels that the victims the testimony of the victim. Cunningham, who has been of a car, said Sargent Kevin Brockton for examination. She should not be brought to the Without the victim's testimony specially trained to handle sexual Chiocca, of the Bridgewater Po­ was treated and released later that college health service. "I think there is no case. abuse cases at Bridgewater State lice Department. The car then day. that (the victim) should be Chiocca urges everyone to . College, deferred comments con­ drove away, and she was raped in According to Chiocca, when a brought to a competent medical remember, "Rapists are criminals cerning the incident to Chief the back seat :lS the car was rape is reported, the responding facility immediately .... This is and need help, and the rest of Fortunato Graca, who could not driven around. officers get a brief description of not a reflection on the personnel society needs to be protected from be reached at press time. Student Congress t kles coll ge's ru p Ii y our own. e says she w() "personally like to see some The Congress of the Student changes . There should be Government ·Association has some policy added st.ating that the formed a special ad hoc com­ case has to be heard within 48 mittee to review the college's hours, with the student still "Drug Free Campus" policy and living in the dorms. 11 its enforcement. One of the people who has Created by a unanimous vote gone through this system re­ at Tuesday's meeting, the six cently is Gil Ford. Formerly a member committee's purpose is resident of Shea-:Durgin Hall, to investigate complaints which · Ford now lives off-campus. have been voiced regarding When questioned about his views several points of the policy, on the policy, Ford said that he (Photo by Debra Willis) particularly that of due process. felt that, in general, the policy Under the ciirrent policy, when was fair. He only "really How's the water? Senior Tom Devin finds a surprise in the fountain 11 a student is accused of a drug disagrees with the "suspension next to the Campus Center Wednesday. offense in a dorm, they are before a hearing." He was forced "suspended from the college to move out of the dorm, missed pending due process." two weeks of classes, ;µid must Due process is mentioned in still live off-campus. Academic Policy Committee tables the Fifth Amendment of the What is ironic is that, after all United States Constitution, this, he was found not guilty of which guarantees the assump­ ·possession,· and guilty of not minimum QPA requirements proposal tion that a person is "innocent reporting the knowledge .that until proven guilty." Some somebody else had possession. ByEdWard grade point average requirement about. people claim that the "pending He feels that, this being the case, for all student athletes to Dr. William ·Cole of the due process" suspension riot only­ the punishment was "a little The Academic Policy participate in the college's ath-' history department aske.d whether assumes guilt until the trial, but heavier" than was warranted by Committee (APC), a sub­ letic programs, effective wth the the new requirements are for "the also puts the defendant at a the charge. committee of the All-College. first semester of 1988." protection of the the students ... disadvantage. Congressperson Pat The SGA committee will be Committee tabled discussion on a He added that he would like to or the establishment of an image Pearce said that "people have making a report of its findings measure to create a minimum see the standard applied to all for the institution?" come forward to us ... and have and recommendations to the quality-point average (QPA) for student leaders as well because, Other members of the complained, so we're looking Congress as soon as research is participation in student activities "It is my goal that a student who committee shared his concern into it." · finished and conclusions have at their first semester meeting on holds a leadership position be saying, "we want (students) tn set The policy is stat(}d in one been drawn. Wednesday. able to graduate from this priorities straight but do we have paragraph on page 95 of the Right now, though, it seems Twelve members were present, institution." the right?" and 11 should we student handbook, but is built on that the students' point may have but only one of the three student During discussion, Dr. John legislate priorities or educate?" policies outlined in several been best described by the members of the committee was Heller of the art department asked · The motion was tabled, but different places regarding entry, statement of F. Scott Longo, the in attendance. whether the request classifies Heller submitted a· new motion search and seizure, and sanctions. student repres~ntative to the President Indelicato made the athletes as leaders. Many other "that the APC write to the SGA President Deborah Board of Trustees, that, "Just request for the minimum QPA members felt that the committee All-College committee, noting Sammons explained that right because yon check into a school policy in a letter to Dr. Charles · should ask for clarification on that the student handbook carries now the committee is gathering doesn't mean you check out your Angell and the All-College who the measures apply to. They a note that effective January information on the policies at right to due process as a U. S. Committee, dated June 15, 1987. agreed that the committee should 1988, participants in inter other colleges, and will be citizen." In the letter he states, 11It is my look at a concrete list of the · -collegiate athletics must main- . studying how they compare with intention to implement a 2.0 positions the president is talking cont. on p. :i 2 The Comment Academic Policy Committee cont. from p. 1 June 15 and subsequently carried tain a 2.0 QPA. The committee through the governance pro- ·1 does not recall any input into this cedures." The m'1tion was passed decision and wonders if the unanimously. · question should have been referred to the A.PC, as was the question Associate Dean of Admissions of a 2.0 QPA requirement for James Plotner referred to this student leaders - discussed in topic as "the pure~t academic President Indelicato's letter of issue we've ever had." (Photo by John Burns) President ldelicato cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of the Commuter Center in the Campus Center. SGA Notebook By Ed Ward Chairperson Medeiros al­ The meeting of the SGA lowed student trustee F. Scott Congress began with a Longo lo speak during her discussion over the quality of report which followed. the minutes of the previous Longo requested input on a .:111e~ting on. November 10, number of issues including 1987. Members of both the food service. Longo also Congress and executive board addressed the financial aid pointed out a number of problem and how well the discrepancies. President Debbie college dealt with snow. .Sammons mentioned that it Longo left, stating, "Whenever was not recorded that a. bond you• see something that should had been delivered to the come to my attention, bring it family of William Murphy; to my attention." The minutes were approved In new business the with changes. Congress overwhelmingly sup­ During organizational and ported a motion to form a executive reports, Ways and committee to look. into the · Means Committee Chairman drug policy on campus. John R. Bums announced that Medeiros stated that ttWe want budget packages for the spring to research the facts before we semester are due November 23.