THE GATEPOST volume
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84 • number 23
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Survey finds 41 FSU students have been sexually assaulted while at college Significant drop in survey participants By Alexandra Gomes Associate Editor
Amanda Martin/The Gatepost
Water warriors duel on Larned Beach.
University acquires Warren Conference Center and Inn By Bailey Morrison Asst. News Editor The Warren Conference Center and Inn in Ashland was purchased by FSU for a total of $8 million. The purchase had been discussed since fall of 2015, said Dale Hamel, executive vice president. He added that the acquisition of the Warren Center from Northeastern was under discussion for the last few years but didn’t “come to fruition until the fall,” when the property was put on the market. Four million dollars came from General Obligations bonds of the commonwealth, which the state is respon-
sible for paying off. Two and half million dollars came from a supplemental appropriation from last fall and $1.5 million was financed by the University from the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, Hamel said. President F. Javier Cevallos said in an email, “The Massachusetts State College Building Authority has officially acquired the 65-acre Warren Conference Center and Inn located in Ashland on behalf of Framingham State University.” Cevallos said, “This acquisition stands to greatly benefit our community by allowing us to utilize the land and facilities for athletic and academic
programs. … It also gives us space to host events and the opportunity to explore new programs, such as a hospitality major that would be the first of its kind in the state university system. “The acquisition of the Warren Center offers great opportunities for our campus, academically as well as recreationally, as we hope to develop athletic fields and use the reservoir as well.” He added, “The majority of the funding for this purchase was provided by the state. FSU’s contribution to the acquisition will be offset by the operating revenue of the Warren Center, - See WARREN CENTER page 4
Senior citizens enrich classes at FSU By Jennifer Johnson Editorial Staff It’s the first day of classes. As students pour into one of the clammy classrooms of May Hall, a tall wiry man with white hair has already claimed his seat at the back of the classroom. The professor asks all of the students to tell the class their names and their years. “My name is Mike Curley, and, well, I’m a senior,” he replies. According to Mike, “That joke will usually get a few laughs.” Mike is one of many senior auditors
at Framingham State who takes courses to expand his knowledge as a retiree. The senior auditing program at Framingham State welcomes Massachusetts state residents who are 60 years of age or older to enroll in classes for a reduced fee. Scott Greenberg, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of continuing education, said, “As we get older, engaging in lifelong learning exercises our minds and provides outlets for artistic, intellectual, physical and social activities. It helps us to continue the process of personal growth
throughout the lifespan.” The program is offered through the Department of Continuing Education and is limited to day, continuing education and graduate courses. Internships, practicums and directed studies are not available through the senior auditing program, Greenberg said. According to Greenberg, the program costs seniors $130 to audit day courses and $271 to audit continuing education or graduate courses. - See THE VALUE OF LIFELONG LEARNING page 10
According to a campus climate survey administered this February, 41 FSU students have experienced sexual contact without their consent since matriculating into the school. Melinda Stoops, dean of students, said in an email to students that the survey, which was distributed via email, was undertaken to “help understand student perspectives and experiences related to sexual assault.” According to www.justice.gov, sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. While 516 students agreed to take the survey, they were not required to answer every question. Kim Dexter, director of equal opportunity, title IX and ADA compliance, said there was “a significant drop-off in the response rate this year.” According to feedback provided by student leaders, the length of the survey was a big deterrent for some students, said Dexter, adding some were also confused by a number of questions. Stoops said there is an increased pressure to conduct campus climate surveys and eventually, colleges will be required to administer one annually. The survey was provided by a company called EverFi, and was similar to last year’s survey. It was slightly altered, with some questions being rephrased and others added. “Even if you just tweak [the ques- See CAMPUS CLIMATE SURVEY page 6
Inside MTV stars bring comedy to DPAC 12
Destination India 14
Basketball gets on a roll in conference 23