Volume II: Issue 10
Taking Charge of Our Future
Thanks to those of you who attended my State of the University speech last Friday. I highlighted the triumphs of the past year and the good work going on across campus, as well as the continuing challenges we face. If you were unable to attend on Friday, you can listen to the audio file and see the slides at my website.
Higher Education Center Donation from Providence
On April 18, I was pleased to accept a check for $25,000 from Providence Medford Medical Center CEO Tom Hanenburg. The donation is designated for the Medford Higher Education Center and is one of many local contributions since 2005. For more information, see the Higher Education Center website.
Above, Southern Oregon University Foundation Board members Anne Root, Bob Mayers, and Gary Sherwood (far right) join Tom Hanenburg and me during the check presentation.
Earth Day 2008
SOU continues to demonstrate leadership within the local community and across the country in its efforts to conserve energy, encourage regional economic development, and support the development of green power sources.
As the largest energy user in Ashland, SOU also participates in the Ashland Renewable Pioneers program, a partnership between the City of Ashland and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation that enables city residents and businesses to support Green Tags.
In spring term 2007, with an 85-percent majority, students supported a campuswide vote to establish a Green Energy Fee. Driven by a student coalition dedicated to encouraging sustainable energy sources on campus, the referendum was a product of collaborative research, team spirit, and the democratic process. As a result, SOU became the first university in Oregon—and one of the first in the U.S.—to offset 100 percent of its energy use with clean, renewable power.
More details are online at www.greenashland.org and at our website.
Women’s Resource Center Events
On April 18, the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) coordinated a Take Back the Night march beginning with a rally and speaker. The assembly then marched to the plaza in downtown Ashland, where a candlelight gathering was held for survivors of sexual violence and assault.
Take Back the Night began in England over 130 years ago as a way for women to reclaim their right to safety and respect. The first march in the United States was held in San Francisco in 1978. Take Back the Night links women, men, and communities as they gather to show their commitment to ending sexual violence.
Sexual assault is widely considered to be the most underreported violent crime in America. College students are particularly vulnerable. According to a 2005 U.S. Department of Justice report, 35 out of every 1,000 women students on campus will be sexually assaulted in an average, nine-month school year. Fewer than 5 percent of these students will ever report their rape or attempted rape to campus authorities or law enforcement.
Clearly, the need for action is urgent.
Together, the Women’s Resource Center and the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) are responding to this need with the Yell it! Tell it! campaign.
Campaign goals:
- to raise awareness within the campus community about the prevalence of sexual assault and about the new first response services available;
- to motivate the community to help prevent sexual assaults and to let them know what steps to take if a sexual assault does occur;
- to engage the community in removing barriers that discourage survivors from seeking healing and justice; and
- to make sexual assault issues visible and discussions of sexual assault a more regular part of campus life.
Elements of the campaign include coordinated campus t-shirt days, The Restroom Project, outreach through stickers and posters, Siskiyou ads, peer education groups, public events, and tabling. A support group for survivors of intimate violence will be held every other week at the Women’s Resource Center.
Special thanks go to Yell it! Tell it! Student Coordinator Niki Trueblood (above), as well as Women's Resource Center Coordinator Deltra Ferguson and the WRC student staff and volunteers, for organizing this and other campaigns to promote awareness regarding these topics.
Visibility and campuswide involvement are key. Please call the Women's Resource Center at 552-6216 if you wish to participate or would like any further information.
Track and Field
Five team members are qualified to participate in the NAIA national track and field championships. Daniel Cecchini (Senior, Bend, High Jump), Kevin Jeffers (Senior, Salem, Steeplechase), David Laney (Freshman, Portland, 10,000 Meter Run), Ryan Musselman (Senior, Wilderville, Pole Vault), and Ixel Sanchez (Junior, Guanajuato, Mexico, Marathon) have all met NAIA 'A' qualifying standards in their respective events. With three meets remaining, several more athletes are expected to make it to St. Louis, site of the nationals, at the end of May. Congratulations to our men’s and women’s track teams!
