OPINION
‘Wolves’ of Capitol Blame Interns, Propose Dress Code Seniors Jessica Korth, Alyssa Moncure and Manahil Khan enjoy a debate breakfast before the late start on Sept. 17.
Students Benefit From New Block Schedule Sion/Storm schedules offer muchneeded change for students and faculty alike. BY ABBY SMITH EDITORIAL EDITOR
Eighty-minute classes. To some, just the thought of being in the same room for that long sends dread, coursing through their body. Others, however, are able to appreciate the extended class periods that have been set to take place four days per month. If approached with an open mind, the Sion/Storm schedule days can be sure to please not only students, but faculty as well. Longer classes allow for more diversity in regard to teaching style. According to www. edutopia.org, studies have shown that every student absorbs and processes information differently. Instead of the usual brisk lecture or single activity, teachers are free to break away from their everyday routine and split up the time into sections. The idea behind this is to better accommodate the wide range of learning styles that are present in every class. Depending on the class (or teacher), a longer amount of time can also introduce the opportunity to dive deeper into a more complex subject that a mere 45-50 minutes would not provide. A more in-depth lesson allows for better understanding on the pupil’s part. For students, one of the leading benefits is having two nights to complete homework assignments. Depending on how one wants to approach it, this could mean a night of no homework plus a night of homework for all classes. Or the idea that, if done nightly according to that day’s classes, two nights of half the amount of usual work. The added bonus of the Sion/Storm schedule is that it is partnered with a late start. Just getting that extra hour of sleep in the middle of the week can make a big difference. Paired with the block classes, it offers a bit of a break for an overall less “full speed ahead” environment. This subtle but positive change to our month during the first and third weeks is just enough to spice things up. Sion has succeeded in keeping up with the nationwide trend of block scheduling while still staying true to the way things have always been run.
Following sexual harrassment allegations, dress code ignores real issues, exposes frightening trend. BY ELLIE SCHWARTZ CO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Rep. Bill Kidd’s twitter bio may read “Father, Conservative, Common Sense Leader,” but his response to the proposed changes to the intern dress code at the Missouri State Capitol tells another story. Following the resignation of two Congressmen due to sexual abuse and inappropriate text message allegations, Rep. Kevin Engler r e l e a s e d 12 possible improvements to the intern policy after two Congressmen resigned following sexual abuse and inappropriate text message allegations, Kidd responded almost immediately to one of those suggestions, saying “Intern dress code,” in his email response, according to the Kansas City Star. The scandal involving many allegations by interns, all outlined in the Kansas City Star article titled “The wolves of Jeff City: Sexual harassment at the Capitol,” reveals the political divide that can come from what should be apolitical issues and the fine line that interns in politics walk. Kidd’s response mirrored that of other Republican representatives and contrasted the responses by Democrat representatives and Missouri Senator Clare McCaskill, according to the Kansas City Star, highlighting the broader political divide and debate that the intern scandal started. This clear divide in responses should not exist, because sexual assault and where the blame
is placed should not be political issues. The inappropriate actions came from both sides of the aisle according to the Kansas City Star, but when one party blames victims and the other perpetrators, it’s no surprise that Democrats attract more female voters and are often labelled as “pro-woman.” In order for global issues and the economy to take center stage in future elections, the difference in response to sexual assault needs to disappear. The divide and the victim-blaming that comes following assault may explain why it took years for many of the abuse charges to surface according to the Kansas City Star and highlights the challenges that interns in politics (and in general) face. Because politicians serve their communities and hold considerable power, they are seen as concerned for others. Any accusation of sexual assault contrasts this reputation and places the victim in the spotlight because the abuser is known. Many victims in Jefferson City confessed to being abused but refused to share their stories out of fear for their careers, according to the Kansas City Star. Therefore, a better policy geared toward supervising the people in power should be implemented to back up claims by intimidated victims that are usually kept private. Recalling Kidd’s twitter bio, if he is a father, he should recognize the position his daughter would be in if she were an intern at the Capitol and see the need for more than a dress code to protect her. If he is conservative, he should recognize and stop the trend of Republicans blaming victims in response to assault. If he is a “Common Sense Leader,” he should recognize that a dress code is not the solution to a trend of inappropriate sexual actions of people in power.
LE JOURNAL September 2015
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