The Signal: Fall '11, No. 2

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SERVICE OVERSEAS

Three student groups lived and learned with locals in Nicaragua this summer. See Features page 9 tcnjsignal.net

Triple Threat

“Three for Free” comedy show offered high-quality laughs at no cost to students. See A&E page 13

The College of New Jersey Student Newspaper since 1885

September 7, 2011

No. 2

Vol. CXXXV.

Student reports sexual assault at knifepoint By Laura Herzog News Editor

A female student was reportedly sexually assaulted on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at approximately 12:50 a.m. on campus near Forcina Hall. According to a campus-wide email sent by Campus Police Wednesday evening, the suspect was described as “a black male, approximately 5’6” in height, with a husky or muscular build.” The suspect also reportedly had a deep voice and a stutter and wore a black hooded sweatshirt and dark clothing. According to the report, the student stated that “she was walking, unaccompanied, when the suspect approached her with a knife.” Following the assault, the report said, the man fled in the direction of the nearby lake.

Campus Police affirmed that they are jointly investigating the matter with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Child Abuse/Sexual Assault Unit. An initial notice of the assault was sent to students via text alert and email by Campus Police at 5:44 a.m. Additional information, including the description of the suspect and location of the assault, was made available to students shortly after 6 p.m. This report follows a string of sexually oriented crime reports on campus: It comes about five months after an outsider was barred from campus for allegedly accosting a student and one year after another reported on-campus sexual assault, for which two male College students were recently indicted. “It was really just a huge reality check,” said freshman elementary education and math, science and technology

double major Kelsey Snedeker. “I think every freshman thinks college is great and a lot of fun, especially in the beginning, but this made me realize how careful I need to be, even on campus. It could have been anyone.” Students and faculty were advised via email to report any information that may be helpful to the investigation by calling 609-771-2345, to report any suspicious behavior to Campus Police or, in the case of an emergency, to call 911. Members of the campus community were asked to be “vigilant.” Students were advised to travel in groups when traveling at night and to stay in well-lit areas. The email alert also reminded students that Campus Police provides escorts for members of the campus community who have concerns for their personal safety. Campus Police gave no additional comment on grounds that their investigation of the incident is still open.

Party-goers face penalties on and off campus By Laura Herzog News Editor

A new “no-tolerance policy” toward offcampus parties, announced this summer by Ewing Mayor Bert Steinmann, was apparently enforced the first week of school, resulting in a high number of party busts and hefty fines for some off-campus students. In accordance with state law and the concerns of Ewing officials and neighbors, a revised student conduct code for the 20112012 school year is now in effect, reflecting a more stringent attitude toward student partying on and off campus. “I was at a party around 1 a.m. on Monday night, and all of a sudden, we were all being told to go into the basement ... My roommate said she was at three different parties that night and all three got busted,” said a female College sophomore, who wished to remain anonymous. During a July 12 Board of Trustees meeting held in the Business Lounge, at which the mayor and several members of his staff were present, the revised code of student

Tim Lee / Staff Photographer

Ewing police officers speak with several neighbors outside a student house on Pennington Road after busting a party on Monday, Aug. 29.

conduct was a subject of particularly lengthy discussion. President R. Barbara Gitenstein explained that Steinmann had said in a previous discussion with her that he doubted the College’s past presidents have supported the use of municipal police intervention with off-campus students. “You haven’t met this

president” was Gitenstein’s response during that discussion, suggesting she did support such measures. “My administration has adopted a notolerance policy,” said Steinmann. According to Vice President of Student Affairs Jim Norfleet, at an earlier July meeting,

trustees and Ewing officials agreed to form a mutual aid agreement and committee to address off-campus student issues. The revised code of conduct was part of the effort to enforce a positive relationship between the Ewing community and the College. “The previous document was outdated and problematic in many ways. We had to develop an entirely new code to emphasize its educational purpose, satisfy legal requirements and protect individual rights and community standards,” Norfleet said. Angela Chung, associate dean of students and director of student conduct, explained that while the code has been revised in its entirety, “a few areas stand out as substantially different.” The new code’s “Personal Abuse” policies on “sexual harassment,” “physical sexual misconduct” and “physical abuse” have been expanded to better reflect New Jersey law, and several new subheadings were added, including “bullying, intimidation, and harassment” and “invasion of privacy.” see PARTIES page 2

$1.5 million in donations announced during president’s address By Jamie Primeau Features Editor

President R. Barbara Gitenstein shared statistics and recounted some of the College’s recent good news, including over $1 million in donations, during her Welcome Back Address, which she presented to a crowded auditorium on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Staff, faculty and students filled the Mildred and Ernest E. Mayo Concert Hall to listen to the College’s president reflect on what she called “a year of challenge and accomplishment for the College.” Gitenstein addressed the 2011–2012 year and she looked ahead to the school’s future, discussing ways to combat challenges. “The most important event that happened over the last 10 days at (the College) was welcoming back the faculty, staff, returning students and the exceptional class of 2015,” said Gitenstein, who noted that the state recently faced the

largest earthquake and hurricane to hit in 100 years. She added that this year’s freshman class “continues the tradition of excellence” and was selected from the largest applicant pool in the College’s history — more than 10,000 people, a 2 percent increase from last year’s number. According to Gitenstein, the College welcomed 273 transfer students and “these new members of our community join an extraordinary community of scholars.” “(The College) has never been an institution of modest goals,” she said, acknowledging an array of athletic and academic accomplishments from the previous school year. Gitenstein also expressed pride in partnerships the College has developed with the N.J. Special Olympics and Trenton Thunder. Her announcement of $1.5 million in donations by two donors was a highlight of the presentation. “While every gift was, and is, deeply appreciated, and while see ADDRESS page 2

Tom O’Dell / Photo Editor

President R. Barbara Gitenstein applauds the College’s recent accomplishments during her Welcome Back address.

What’s a Norsworthy? A look at the men and women residence halls are named after.

One lost, another gained Women’s soccer lost the opener vs. Ithaca but won the second game.

See Features page 11

See Sports page 20

INSIDE

Nation & World Editorial Opinions Features Arts & Entertainment Funstuff Sports

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