Vol. 52, Issue 5 - September 29th, 2010

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Mace & Crown VOL. 52, ISSUE 5 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2010

Student newspaper of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, since 1930

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“Just because someone isn’t saying no, doesn’t mean they are saying yes”

Crime hits close to home University takes immediate action to increase safe measures By Stuart Miller Editor in Chief Crime has always been a hot button issue for the surrounding areas of Old Dominion University, but due to recent incidents around and on campus, students have begun to question exactly how safe they are. One of the more recent and startling incidents occurred on the evening of Tuesday September 21st outside of the Perry Library when a female ODU student was robbed at knife-point and was forced to hand over her book bag and purse. “I was at [Mills Godwin Building] at the time and I was freaked out,” said ODU Junior LaVatta Hines, “Before I wasn’t too worried about the crime off-campus, but this was a wake-up call that I have to start being more cautious.” It was this incident that influenced an immediate e-mail from ODU President John Broderick concerning the safety on ODU’s campus. “Crime of any sort is not acceptable at Old Dominion University” was the distinct statement in the e-mail underlining the seriousness of the situation, but the university has still seen its fair share of crime since the beginning of the school year. Since August 30th there have been 64 cases of larceny, four robberies, and eight cases of assault reported to the Old Dominion University Police Department with seven of the cases reported just in the last week. With such a spike in crime around the ODU community, calls and e-mails from concerned parents and students have become common, but Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications Jennifer Mullen confirmed that the necessary steps are being taken. “There have been some calls and e-mails from parents about campus safety,” Mullen said. “While all were concerned, the majority of parents expressed thanks for President Broderick’s e-mail to them and the campus explaining the actions he was taking to address the issue. Since August the university has been in the process of developing a joint police force with the Norfolk Police Department and the plan is to construct a facility neighboring ODU’s campus which would establish a third precinct in Norfolk as well as a headquarters for the ODUPD. The efforts of establishing the new precinct are still underway, but President Broderick has already taken action in light of the recent incidents by working with Chief Rudy Burwell of the ODUPD and Chief Bruce Marquis of the NPD to endorse an increase of security and patrols from both precincts to increase the safety of ODU’s campus and the surrounding jurisdiction. Even though the university has taken action to prevent crime, ODU students still feel that the prevention of these overwhelming acts should have been handled earlier rather than later. “They should have already had more security out instead of waiting for people to start getting robbed to act,” said ODU sophomore Marcus Martin. “I felt safe until the recent incidents happened, now I don’t feel safe walking outside at any time of day.” Although the extra security has recently been added to ODU’s campus, the university has taken steps in the past to ensure student’s safety by establishing a safe ride and escort service for students to use. The Danielle Buxton Mace & Crown escort service consists of 22incident ODU students, of which The on 48thmany occured Sept are 17. a part of the Reserve Officers Train-

Sexual Assault Resource Team helps inform, protect campus Danielle Buxton Mace & Crown A female student was held at knifepoint near Perry library on Sept 21

ing Corps (ROTC) program who are available daily from 5:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. ODU also provides a courtesy van that runs from Thursdays to Sundays from 8:00 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. and both are reachable by phone at 683-3477 or 683-6397. “As a female I’m probably affected the worst by the recent crimes,” said ODU Junior Caitlin Basknight. “My parents asked me to walk with a security guard to the Webb Center at night, but I declined even though I am happy that the services are available.” Besides programs that have been implemented by ODU the university has instilled a set list of warnings that are preached thoroughly to ODU students to ensure their safety. “Don’t walk alone at night. If you are out past the hours of the university services, have someone drive you back to your residence or consider spending the night where you are if it is safe,” Said Mullen. “Be aware of your surroundings both day and night. Lock your doors and don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Make sure to report any crime or suspicious circumstances to the police immediately.” The next step for the university is to finalize the plans for the ODUPDNPD joint precinct, but the timeline its completion is unknown for now. ODU’s campus has seen crime off-campus for years, but the raised issue of safety on campus has continued to be the most notorious topic discussed whether students feel safe or not. “I feel pretty safe because I haven’t seen anything actually happen,” said ODU Freshman Chris Morrow. “I think the university has done a good job for the most part to make sure students are staying safe.” With the increase in law enforcement around campus and the safety services provided by the university, President Broderick looks to tackle the issue head on to ensure that ODU becomes a crime-free campus. The ODUPD can be reached 24 hours a day and seven days a week at 683-4000 or at one of the 43 call boxes located throughout ODU’s campus.

Danielle Buxton Mace & Crown The PD has 43 call boxes located around campus.

Jillian Baylor Staff Writer A panel discussion undertaken to educate students about sexual assault last week focused attention on the important support services available on the Old Dominion University campus and in the community. The university’s Sexual Assault Resource Team (SART) held a panel discussion that provided a platform for students to ask questions pertaining to sexual assault. Joann Bautti-Roche, the assistant director, of ODU’s Women’s Center and the Sexual Assault Free Environment (SAFE), coordinated the discussion. Many young adults lack an understanding of what exactly sexual assault is, panelists said. They also agreed that sexual assault does not only consist of forced penetration, which is what most young adults assume. “Just because someone isn’t saying no, doesn’t mean they are saying yes,” said Joann BauttiRoche. It is important that this fact and what consent is, is explained to young adults, which is the mission of the SAFE program. “Sexual consent for one thing doesn’t apply for everything just because you’re making out or there is intimate touching you shouldn’t assume they want to have sex. Consent can be withdrawn at anytime and that’s where the crime starts.” said BauttiRoche. Many sexual assault victims are scared to come forward. Many believe it could be their own fault because they were drinking or they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc. “We live in a victim blaming society…drinking too much doesn’t mean it’s acceptable to be sexually assaulted, con see ASSAULT A3

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Greek pull-out see center spread

Men’s Soccer opens up conference play C4

Fall Formal Recruitment B1

Don’t ask don’t tell D1

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