International Relations howto fight off attackers

by Am_yGassen

staff writer

Recent scares of an on-campus attacker have had the community in an uproar. Public Safety has offered to escort students to different on-campus locations while many others opt to use the buddy system. Tracey Greenwood, fitness director, coordinated a self-defense class to help ward off attackers.

"Because of the recent incidents on campus," Greenwood said, "we thou© would be beneficial for our students to learn some simple techniques."

Basic techniques in self-defense were demonstrated and practiced in the Dixon Center on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Flex Houvig, a community member, taught the class. According to Houvig, he has been studying various forms of martial arts for th~ast 25 years including Judo, Tai Chi and Southern ayib.g Mantis.

"A lot o!,.UM;things I've le ed in the various arts," Houvig sit{d, "I: tried to tie together and apply (for the class.)" '---" photo courtesy of Dr. Cynthia Halpern

The clais~hich was_ offered free to students and Dixon Cenkr--fuembe(Swas composed of four female students and one adult~munity member.

"We worked on a lot of simple things to do to ward off an attacker," Houvig said. According to Houvig, the class was broken down into decision-making and not getting flustered when forced to make a quick decision, simple techniques to ward off an attacker, what to do when attacked from behind and how to ward off an attack from the ground.

"The key is to show people things and have them actually try them," Houvig said. He would ~x a defense technique, demonstrate the techni e, 1 n he would have the class practice the move.

A "don't mess with me attitude" wa~whole idea of he class. "Most attackers go after pe le thi will be an easy target," Houvig said.

Azeen Keramati, a senior, was one of the class participants. She took the class because of the attacker scare and to take advantage of the "really good opportunity to learn to defending yourself."

"It was very good. It was really informal. It empowers yourself to really take care of yourself," Keramati said ab~ass.

Tho that ssed the class and would like to partake in a self- e class should contact Tracey Greenwood at extension 8318.

Recent~-,.t;;;_~rge Eckhardt, adjunct lecturer of French, held a French dinner at his home in King of Prus'Jia~"'.:Anding the dinner were Olga Morales,lecturer of romance languages, Dr..Arlene Nobel, fessor of French at Valley Foirge Military Academy,Cabrini and VFMAstudents in French 101, 201 and 203, Dr. Cynthia Halpern, chair of romance languagesand members of Phi Sigma Iota, tbrlnl's international foreign lagu~ ~Of ~aqrru. , 11 :HU.En,

"Right now, if I get a request, we'll certainly have another class," Greenwood said. According to Houvig, another self defense course will be offered the fust weekend in December.

For more information about the self-defense class, contact Tracey Greenwood at ext. 8318.· ,. .., 1 " " I ti

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