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CHILD ABUSE
BARTKO SAYS ‘SPEAK UP’ Abuse turns into advocacy
By Daniel Gligich | @DanielGligich
E
ver since Fresno State Athletic Director Jim Bartko told someone what happened during his childhood, a burden was lifted. Bartko revealed to the public in the middle of January that he was molested by a Catholic priest about 35 times as a child. He traveled in December to Tucson, Arizona, to a rehabilitation facility, Sierra Tucson, and received treatment for sleeping issues, anxiety and anxiousness. Bartko never spoke of his experiences as a child. But after more than 40 years, he decided to talk publicly about the molestations. “It’s kind of funny, after 40some years you never say it,” Bartko said. “But when you get asked the hard questions, it’s kind of like, ‘Do I tell the truth, or do I lie about it or keep it in?’ and I just said it.” It was a huge burden to first discuss the abuse, Bartko said, but after returning to Fresno, it became much easier. Talking about the molestations has been therapeutic, he said, whether it is with counselors or people at the grocery store. Many people throughout the country, whom Bartko has never met, including fellow athletic directors, have sent letters and emails offering him their support, some saying that his revelation has helped them or their family. “People have called in say-
Khone Saysamongdy • The Collegian
ing, ‘I had a daughter who went through it. Now with talking, it will help out,’” Bartko said. “And that’s what my wife and I need to figure out – outside of our jobs and being parents and everything else – how can we make a difference in somebody else’s life?” Although his goal is to help others by telling his story, at times he finds it hard to believe that he has made an impression on people. “I had many people call me and send me emails [saying] that I’ve had an impact,” Bartko said. “And I find that hard to believe, because I’m just a normal guy from Modesto.” Many victims of child abuse and sexual assault struggle to disclose their experiences. Some, like Bartko, do not say anything for decades, if ever. “I was very wrong in holding it all in for all these years,” Bartko said. “I think that’s what I want to get across to people – holding it in does you no good.” Children often do not reveal traumatic experiences for a variety of reasons ranging from threats made to the child and them simply not understanding the situation, said Maggie Armistead, Title IV-E BA program coordinator at Fresno State. The Title IV-E program trains students to be Child Protective Services workers. Armistead has experience as a CPS worker and has dealt
See CHILD ABUSE, Page 6
Fresno State Athletic Director Jim Bartko speaks in his office at the Duncan Building on Jan. 26, 2017
University Testing Center undergoes changes By Daniel Gligich @DanielGligich
Fresno State President Dr. Joseph Castro has announced to the campus community a new plan for the University Testing Center. The new plan was announced to students through an email on Jan. 13, which stated the testing center will be open for the spring
2017 semester. Castro said he appointed a task force in February 2016 to review the role of the testing services. The task force submitted its report to Castro in May 2016, which was shared with the Academic Senate. Tracey Smith was brought in by Castro as a consultant in the fall of 2016 to meet with students, faculty and staff about the center.
Smith submitted his report with his recommendations to Castro in November 2016. “After a careful review of the reports by both the task force and the consultant that included feedback from students, faculty and staff and after thoughtful discussion with Provost [Lynnette] Zelezny and Vice President [Frank]
See CENTER, Page 3
CLASSA scores booth By Yesenia Candelaria @yesiamanda6
Among all the club and organization booths outside of the University Student Union is the very first Chicano and Latin American Studies Student Association (CLASSA) booth. “I’m super proud of it, and the rest of the club members love it, which makes it that much more rewarding,” said Raymond Rey, vice president of the club. The club, which was founded in the spring of 2015, serves as
an involvement opportunity for students who are interested in being a part of the Chicano and Latino community on campus, contribute to the community and to represent the Chicano and Latino studies department. “One of my big goals is to help the department grow, and I think by having the booth it will help expose more students to the organization,” Rey said. The idea to build the booth began last semester when Rey and Zacarías González, club recruitment chair, were walking by the University Student Union and
thought having a booth would help bring more people to the club. There is a lottery in which clubs and organizations enter for a booth spot. Rey and González decided to take a chance and enter the drawing. Rey attended the lottery to represent the club and said he was surprised when its name was called. “It came as surprise since there was a handful of other clubs that wanted a spot, but it was an exciting moment,” Rey said.
See CLASSA, Page 3