GRAND VALLEY
EXCLUSIVE PG. 4 Letter from former GVSU quarterback Bart Williams
A L L E N D A L E & G R A N D R A P I DS , M I C H I G A N ST U D E N T- R U N P U B L I C A T I O N S // P R I N T · O N L I N E · M O B I L E // L A N T H O R N . C O M
M O N D A Y, N OV E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 // VO L . 52 N O. 1 5
POLICY
Proposed Title IX changes could affect how GVSU responds to assault BY LAUREEN HORAN ASSOCIATE1@LANTHORN.COM
On Friday, Nov. 16, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos proposed an overhaul to the rules regarding campus sexual assault. The new rules, which could go into effect as soon as spring of 2019, could affect the way Grand Valley State University addresses certain sexual misconduct allegations on and near campus. These rules would be the first regulations to determine how schools should meet their legal obligations under Title IX, the 1972 law which prohibits sexual discrimination in federally funded academic institutions. The proposed regulations are now facing a 60-day public comment period before they will be finalized. The proposal aims to reduce the the liability of colleges and universities for investigating sexual misconduct claims and reinforce the due process rights of defendants, including the right to cross-examine their accusers with an attorney. However, use of mediation was determined by the Obama-era guidelines, the Campus SaVE Act, to be harmful to the accuser, even when voluntary. The power dynamic between the victim/survivor and the accused could cause the survivor to feel victimized again. The use of mediation tactics in these situations would turn campus conference rooms into courtrooms. One of the most significant changes that would go into effect include the very definition of sexual harassment, in the context of campus-related incidents. The Campus SEE TITLE IX | A2
STRUCTURING SEQUENCES: Members of Grand Valley State University’s Frederik Meijer Honors College showcase proposed changes to the curriculum to students during one of several public forums. Curriculum changes generally revolve around required classes and reworking sequence requirements. GVL | BEN HUNT
Honors College fields public opinions in reworking honors curriculum BY SHILOH REYNOLDS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
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rand Valley State University’s Frederik Meijer Honors College is currently in the stages of proposing changes to the honors curriculum. If adopted, revisions to the curriculum could be seen in the fall semester of 2020. The current honors curriculum includes a First Year
Interdisciplinary Sequence (12 credits), Disciplinary Courses to satisfy additional remaining General Education requirements, a Junior Seminar (three credits) and a Senior Honors Project (one to four credits). Over the past summer, members of the Honors Curriculum and Development Committee met to draft ideas for possible revisions. Forums were held in October and November to receive
student and faculty feedback and gain new ideas, the latest of which was held on Tuesday, Nov. 20. “We got to answer questions that people had, as well as gauge support for various parts of the curriculum,” said Chair of Honors Faculty Coeli Fitzpatrick. “We were happy to hear support from faculty for the Problem Based Learning course and the Colloquium course. We were also delighted to see that departments
are keen to develop courses that can be offered in our program.” One proposal seeks to retain the First Year Sequence Course and the Junior Seminar, but incorporate a more defined Second Year Experience by requiring the completion of community or campus engagement (such as tutoring, research assisting or interning), as well as take a problem-based learning course. SEE HONORS | A2
GOVERNANCE
Student Senate looks into expanding transportation throughout Allendale BY MCKENNA PEARISO ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University’s current transportation system operates through the Rapid bus system that connects several apartment complexes to both Allendale and Pew campuses. At a recent Student Senate meeting, the idea for expanding transportation into more parts of Allendale was discussed. Currently,
the furthest west the Rapid bus can go is its stop at Becker and University drive. Student Senate President Rachel Jenkin and several local businesses are hoping to provide transportation for students that goes further west into Allendale. “Having available transportation to the community that we live in is crucial for us to continue to grow as a university,” Jenkin said. “The majority of our students are
not aware of the local businesses or cannot utilize them due to transportation. Because of this, we are not helping our community grow or teaching our students to explore what is around them.” Allendale has many restaurants, businesses and services that currently only benefits students with their own vehicle. Students that depend on the bus system miss out on local resources like dentistry, coun-
seling, Family Fare and more. There are also several apartment complexes and housing units that fall beyond 48th avenue where many students reside that currently lacks bus transportation to campus. Student Senate and several local businesses are looking into developing a type of transportation so students can have access to services and resources in Allendale. An increase in students being able
to access these local businesses would also be a possible increase in Allendale’s local economy. Ottawa County and Student Senate have recently been putting forth effort to improve university and county relationships, with the most recent Ottawa County Commissioners meeting being held on GVSU’s campus. This recent effort to better community relations may assist Student Senate in developing transportation in Allendale. “If we were to have transportation expanded through Allendale, I think it would have a huge impact on our students and the economic growth of our surrounding township,” Jenkin said. At the Student Senate meeting on Nov. 13, Jenkin explained the parameters and possibilities to developing transit in the Allendale area. The idea for transportation in Allendale had been proposed at several Student Senate meetings prior. However, the timeline to plan, develop and administer a system will likely be prolonged. Jenkin told her fellow senators that purchasing another Rapid bus that would operate further west in Allendale could cost the school between $86,700 to $400,520 depending on the route. A bus system was tested in Allendale approximately 10 years ago, but did not satisfy the township organizers and was quickly shut down. Even today, another Rapid bus route still may not be
REWORKING ROUTES: Idling at the Kirkhof Center bus stop, a bus awaits to bring students to off-campus housing. Student Senate discussed ideas to move forward with combating a lack of public transportation throughout Allendale. Student Senate President Rachel Jenkin said the bussing issue is not a new one. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT
www.lanthorn.com
SEE TRANSPORT | A2