monitor
ohlone college Vol. XLIII No. 6
ohlonemonitoronline.com Fremont, California
March 29, 2012
Abortion images spark debate By MANIKA CASTERLINE Editor-in-Chief
Several eight-foot high posters depicting bloody scenes of abortion flanked the Ohlone Free Speech area near the Palm Bosque on March 26 and 27. The group also passed out brochures displaying the same type of graphic content within its pages. However, the material had a warning on the outside of it similar to how animal rights groups that have also used the free speech area, with pamphlets labeled for images that may not be suitable for viewing. Psychology professor Sheldon Helms sent an email out on Monday stating, “I have already heard from numerous students, including one young lady who was brought to tears by the experience of viewing these pictures. “My advice is for faculty to inform students that the people are there, and that there are graphic images that they may want to avoid if possible. This might be done by using a different path to the parking lots or by simply avoiding looking at the images as they pass,” Helms said. Ohlone College President Gari Browning said, “We’re following the law,” in allowing the group on campus, which had vacated the Free Speech area by March 28.
GARRETT YEE/SPECIAL TO THE MONITOR
Ohlone Trustee Garrett Yee visits construction sites in Afghanistan as part of his yearlong U.S. Army deployment. For his latest letter and photos, see page 6.
Ray of light offered in ‘Out of Darkness’ event By ASHLEY LAM Features editor
Ohlone’s 2012 Out of Darkness Walk pays tribute to campus security guard Stewart Dawson, who committed suicide in 2010. The walk, which is now open for registration, will begin at 11 a.m. April 24 at the Ohlone Fremont campus. Opening remarks kick off the walk and the walk officially begins at noon. “I usually introduce the president of the Northern California Chapter, who says a few words about the incidence of suicide, the impact it has on survivors, how we can come together to remember them and how we can help
those who are at risk,” said Sally Bratton, Out of Darkness Walk organizer and Ohlone’s student health center director. Students and faculty are invited to walk twice around the circumference of the campus down to Mission Boulevard and up around the fire gates to raise suicide awareness. “This event was created to remember our campus security guard, who committed suicide December 2, 2010. His name was Stewart Dawson. It really shook the campus as he was so loved and appreciated and no one knew he was in such pain. This was a great way to gather those who loved him to remember him,” said Bratton. James Keogh, a campus
security officer, worked with Dawson and they became good friends. They worked swing shift together and first met at Tower Records in San Mateo where Dawson was working as a loss prevention agent. After losing touch for several years, the two friends were finally reunited at Ohlone, said Keogh. “Dawson was working the disabled parking enforcement with Fremont (police) and I was working with Ohlone College when we met again. He later was hired by Ohlone College and our friendship grew,” Keogh said. “Stewart cared a lot about people and animals. He was well known for making people feel like they mattered. He was
equally known for sending out announcement e-mails concerning the various wildlife habituating at Ohlone College and providing photos to boot. He would stop whatever he was doing to help anyone or any animal at any given time,” said Keogh. The message that the Out of Darkness Walk is getting at goes hand in hand with the CDC stating that suicide rates are increasing due to factors such as the economic decline and among those that are of working age. “I think any students, staff or faculty who have been affected by someone who has committed suicide, threatened suicide or may be at risk for suicide would love to come
together to see the support that is available to them. It helps them feel less isolated and alone with the process,” Bratton said. “If one person can be helped by having an event like this then it is well worth it. I hope students and faculty will realize that they are special in their own right.” I hope they take the time out of their busy days to acknowledge the people that have meant something to them. I hope they live life to its fullest with no regrets. I also wish they would know that no matter how bad things get that someone cares a great deal about them and that life is always full of possibilities,” said Keogh.