The Franklin: October 13, 2017

FRIDAY, OCT. 13, 2017 | THEFRANKLINNEWS.COM

RISE CAMPUS SEES

IN SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTS — YET MANY GO UNREPORTED

FACULTY, ADMIN TURNOVER PG. 4

PG. 5

CATCHER TRIES HAND AT PRO BASEBALL PG. 14

NEWS

“THE Q:

What skill would you love to learn?

// OUR TEAM

“ WHO MAKES THE FRANKLIN? Executive editor Ashley Shuler ashley.shuler@franklincollege.edu

Brandon Barger Reporter “Sailboating.”

Matthew Brown Columnist “Playing piano.”

Jess Chastain Photographer “Ice skating.”

Jalen Davis Photographer “Surfing.”

Opinion editor Christina Ramey christina.ramey@franklincollege.edu News editor Shelby Mullis shelby.mullis@franklincollege.edu Sports editor Ashley Steeb ashley.steeb@franklincollege.edu

Leigh Durphey Nicole Hernandez Copy chief Web editor “Blogging and social media.” “Sign language.”

Erica Irish Reporter, photographer “Roller derby racing.”

Jessie McClain Reporter “Playing violin.”

Copy chief Leigh Durphey leigh.durphey@franklincollege.edu Photo editor Zoie Richey zoie.richey@franklincollege.edu Web editor Nicole Hernandez nicole.hernandez@franklincollege.edu

Shelby Mullis News editor “Swimming.”

Justin Pennington Reporter “Photo and video editing.”

Christina Ramey Opinion editor “CPR.”

Zoie Richey Photography editor “Film photography.”

Advertising manager Matt Thomas matthew.thomas@franklincollege.edu Publisher John Krull jkrull@franklincollege.edu

Brynna Sentel Reporter “Whistling.”

Ashley Shuler Executive editor “Hand lettering.”

Ashley Steeb Sports editor “Painting.”

Matt Thomas Advertising manager “Playing aucoustic guitar.”

WANT TO JOIN THE FRANKLIN? If you like writing, photography or design, shoot us an email.

THEFRANKLIN@FRANKLINCOLLEGE.EDU

Adviser Ryan Gunterman pgunterman@franklincollege.edu The Franklin aims for accuracy and clarity in all articles. We take errors seriously and regret any mistakes. If you find an error, please send an email to thefranklin@franklincollege.edu.

Submit letters to the editor to thefranklin@franklincollege.edu.

GETTING IT RIGHT

• On page 5 of the Sept. 29 issue, the Student Congress fall elections were Sept. 5.

• On page 12, the Griz Nights poll should read 77 percent ‘yes’ and 23 percent ‘no.’

NEW BUSINESSES SEEK STUDENT WORKERS Several businesses offer variety of job experiences

INBRIEF

COLLEGE RANKS NO. 417 ON WSJ RANKINGS

QUINN FITZGERALD | STORY elizabeth.fitzgerald@franklincollege.edu

As new businesses continue to pop up across Bixler said he hasn’t noticed a trend in the town, students are seeing an influx in job type of employees businesses are searching postings in their email inboxes. for. But in the last three to four years, as the “Typically when the new businesses come economy has started to take off and as more here and start, they will contact the [Career new businesses surface in town, it’s much Services office] here just because they’re easier for students to find part-time employlooking for new student employees,” said ment, he said.

Kirk Bixler, assistant dean of students and “They’re actually having a hard time director of career services. finding people to apply for their positions,” While he couldn’t detail how many new Bixler said. businesses have reached But for Joyner, hiring out to him, Bixler said college students allows several have contacted her to give students an him within the last six income while they’re atmonths. tending school, as well as Cyndi Joyner, owner of experience in a growing Boujie Biscuit, located at business.

50 Hurricane St., person“I like mentoring,” ally reached out to Bixler.

Joyner said. “It’s a good One student, sophomore opportunity for them to Sarah Yount, is currently get their feet wet in a proworking for her. fessional environment.”

“I was hoping to hire Joyner said she hopes Senior Claire Sheets organizes a many, but only two that student workers will rack at Ross Dress for Less, one people applied and one be able to “bend a little” actually followed through, new businesses hiring college in scheduling, especially students like Sheets. NICOLE showing up for the interwhen emergencies arise.

HERNANDEZ | PHOTO view,” she said. “I would Brown said Ross Dress love to hire more college students but so far for Less is well aware of her college schedule it’s just the one that I have.” and specifically hired her and other college Junior Taylor Brown was recently hired students for closing shifts. on at Ross Dress for Less at 1030 N. Morton Bixler said the pool of workers who want St. She said she learned about the store at the part-time or seasonal positions is not the campus job fair. She applied but never necessarily growing but offers them a variety expected to be hired. of places to choose from for employment.

“I’ve never worked in retail before, so it’s “I think it’s great for our students,” he different,” Brown said. “I’m used to buying said. “I can think a number of years ago that it all rather than sorting it.” the part-time positions in town were really Joyner said she often looks for college stufairly limited.” dents first to give them a job opportunity.

&

3

OUT ABOUT:

10/13 – 10/14 ‘HALLOWEEN’ AT THE ARTCRAFT

10/13 GRIZ NIGHT

It’s time to get spooky at the Historic Artcraft Theatre with a showing of the 1978 film “Halloween.”

Wear your favorite jersey to the second Griz Night of the year in the Branigin Room at 9 p.m. Students purchasing alcohol should bring their student and state-issued ID.

The movie will show at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $4.25 for college students and are available at historicartcrafttheatre.org.

The Grizzlies were ranked as one of the nation’s best colleges, topping out at No. 417 out of 500 on the Wall Street Journal’s 2018 College Rankings. The list was released in late September.

It compares 1,061 U.S. universities and colleges and is designed to provide students with information they need to choose a school.

The rankings are made up of 14 individual performance indicators designed to answer students’ frequently asked questions.

The Wall Street Journal also takes into account the answers of 100,000 current U.S. college students collected from Times Higher Education’s annual U.S. Student Survey.

To see where other Indiana schools rank on the list, visit WSJ.com.

POLICE, LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE GROUP TO SPEAK AT CAMPUS EVENT The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will host its annual Clothesline Project Tuesday from 12-1 p.m.

The project, which originated in Hyannis, Massachusetts, recognizes 51,000 U.S. women killed as a result of domestic violence during the time of the Vietnam War. A clothesline will be hung in the Napolitan Student Center atrium with T-shirts created by survivors of violence or created in honor of someone who has experienced violence.

Representatives from Turning Point Domestic Violence Services and the City of Franklin Police Department will discuss domestic violence in Johnson County, as well as provide resources for anyone who may be experiencing violence.

10/15 INDIANA PACERS FANJAM Calling all Pacers fans: Visit Banker’s Life Fieldhouse between 1 and 4 p.m. for an opportunity to meet your favorite Pacers players. The first 5,000 guests will receive a free Pacers t-shirt.

Admission includes a complimentary hot dog, chips and a drink. Tickets are available at no cost, along with a schedule of events, at nba.com/pacers/fanjam-17.

4

COLLEGE SEES LARGE TURNOVER Several college employees depart from college, but reasons remain confidential THOMAS MAXWELL | STORY thomas.maxwell@franklincollege.edu

More than 20 employees across nearly 15 departments have departed from the college in the last year, but college officials said the turnover has left minimal impact on the campus community.

Turnover was noted in several departments between the 2016-2017 academic year and now, including the religious life and education departments. The admissions office and IT department also saw a loss in employees within the last year.

The Franklin requested details about the departures, but Dan Schluge, vice president of finance and interim human resources director, declined to comment. But although the reasons behind the departures remain confidential, several faculty members retired at the end of the spring semester.

Since President Thomas Minar’s arrival in 2015, several college cabinet members left their positions, including Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College David Brailow.

“Turnover is normal in any setting,” Schluge said. “The college is not concerned

by it. [The college] has to have competitive salaries, benefits, community and people need an environment that is fun to work in.”

Franklin offers the lowest average salary for assistant professors with an average of $51,343 compared to similar schools, according to startclass.com, an education data site. That’s $5,000 less than Hanover College, and nearly $15,000 less than both DePauw University and Manchester University, according to the same site.

Schluge and Lori Kay Schroeder, provost and dean of the college, declined to confirm if the average salary listed is accurate.

Sarah Shroyer, former administrative assistant of the Engaged Learning Center, which houses the leadership department and the office of global education among others, said that while she loved working at Franklin, it was time for a change.

“I left because I wanted the opportunity for advancement and professional growth,” Shroyer said. “My career has a direct impact on my family, and I needed to do what was

best for me professionally and personally.”

The abrupt departure of graphic design professor Wendy Shapiro this summer left several students in the art department uncertain of who would oversee graphic design courses. But Schluge said students typically remain unaffected by the changes.

A majority of the vacant positions have been filled, though several remain open, notably in the IT department, which Schluge said has experienced difficulty operating with fewer employees.

The Engaged Learning Center is predominantly empty, though Brooke Worland, assistant provost and dean of engaged learning, said the center hopes to see the space repopulated by next year following the departure of both Dale Rebhorn, director of leadership, and Doug Grant, director of service learning and civic engagement.

Following The Franklin’s reporting, the college’s online staff directory was removed, and college officials declined to release the turnover rate. The Franklin compared the employees listed in the 2016-2017 and 20172018 academic catalogs to reach an estimate.

SECURITY RESPONDS TO STRING OF CAR BREAK-INS Five cars ransacked, tampered with over Sept. 30 weekend SHELBY TAYS | STORY & GRAPHIC shelby.tays@franklincollege.edu

Campus security responded to several reports of vehicle break-ins on Sept. 30.

“There were five cars that were reported entered, and one that had blood on the door,” Director of Security Steve Leonard said.

The first reported entry occurred before 8 a.m. A student notified security that her car had been entered. She filed a police report, as well as a security report, stating her car was entered, an item was stolen and the ignition had been tampered with.

“During this time, I checked all the vehicles in that parking lot and none of the other vehicles had been disturbed,” Leonard said.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., security received another report regarding a car break-in. The student was parked on Henry Street behind Johnson-Dietz Residence Hall.

Another student parked in the Henry Lot reported a break in as well. Both reports contained information regarding items being

removed from the vehicles. No other cars in the lot had been reportedly entered or tampered with.

“I say that these people reported that their vehicles were broken into, but there was no sign of forced entry,” Leonard said. “They all believed they locked their car doors.”

On Oct. 1, a visitor reported that their car had been entered in the Elsey Hall lot.

No items were missing but had been moved around. The visitor also said her ignition had been tampered with.

Only an hour later, another report was called in about a student’s car parked in the Dietz Center Lot. This student reported that their ignition was also tampered with.

Leonard said he believes all events occurred between midnight and 8 a.m. on Sept. 30 but were reported at different times due to when the owner of the vehicle returned to their car.

VEHICLE SAFETY TIPS

After a series of vehicle breaks-in, Director of Security Steve Leonard offers safety tips to prevent future incidents.

Lock your car before leaving.

Park your car in well-lit areas.

Report suspicious behavior to security.

MORE

REPORTS

MORE BUT

TO DO

Increase in sexual reports shows improvement in reporting process, but more needs to be done SHELBY MULLIS & QUINN FITZGERALD | STORY shelby.mullis@franklincollege.edu elizabeth.fitzgerald@franklincollege.edu

The number of sexual assaults reported on campus has nearly doubled over the last year, according to the college’s newly released annual security report.

While the number has increased from five to nine reported incidents, Dean of Students Ellis Hall said nine is only a fraction of the number of sexual offenses that actually occur on campus annually.

“I am sure there have been individuals, male and female, that have been subject to some form of sexual misconduct by another person on them and that it has not been reported,” Hall said.

“Absolutely.”

The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report, which Director of Security Steve Leonard released to the public last month on MyFC, defines the policies for reporting crime, identifies resources available to the community and outlines the data collected from residence life, security and police reports.

LEIGH DURPHEY & QUINN FITZGERALD | DESIGN ZOIE RICHEY | PHOTOS SHELBY TAYS | GRAPHICS

6 Among the data included is the number of sexual offenses reported both on and off campus between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2016.

Reported sexual offenses are divided into two categories: forcible and non-forcible.

Forcible sexual offenses include rape and forcible fondling. Non-forcible involve statutory rape and incest—two crimes that have not happened on campus in recent years.

Of the nine reported incidents, all were categorized as forcible sexual offenses, and all occurred in on-campus residence halls.

Leonard could not detail how many offenses occurred in each residence hall.

“We obviously would strive for that number to be zero every year,” Leonard said. “That’s what we would all hope is that all the numbers would be zero—not just sex offenses, but with burglaries and disciplinary referrals with alcohol. But it’s not a reality on any college campus.”

One in every four female undergraduates will be victim to some form of sexual assault before graduation, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Hall said he believes this statistic translates to Franklin College. But he said it’s important to understand that the data noted in the report does not necessarily mean the number of offenses occurring is increasing, but

instead that more parties are reporting incidents.

“In an absolute sense to say, ‘Yes, one in every four Franklin College females will have some sort of sexual misconduct’—to be absolute that it’s one in four—I don’t know that,” Hall said. “But in a broad sense, yes. It’s underreported nationally. Yes, absolutely it’s underreported here.”

ONE IN FOUR

female undergraduates will be victim to some form of sexual assault before graduation.

SOURCE | U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

23.1%

5.4%

23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males among undergraduate students experience sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.

NEED FOR ACTION When senior Megan Helterbrand read that more sexual assaults had been reported over the SOURCE | RAPE, ABUSE AND INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK last year, she reacted on social media.

“Don’t ignore the DISCOVERING HELP annual security report… protect each other,” In fall 2015, President Thomas Minar and Helterbrand said in a tweet, accompanied by the Board of Trustees developed a task force a photo of the circled sexual offense data. to rewrite the sexual misconduct policies on “At first I was shocked, but at the same campus. The college enacted the new procetime, I wasn’t completely surprised,” she dures and the response team last year. said. “People should be sticking together in “We began to implement the procedures this day and age.” that outline how it is we live out this policy When Helterbrand went to a party around sexual misconduct, discrimination earlier this month, she said she kept SEXUAL ASSAULTS and harassment,” said Denise Baird, the task a close eye on younger women. She on campus said she saw several women getting force chair.

6 danced on who didn’t know how to 2014 say they weren’t interested.

9 I know sometimes there’s “As a senior, it’s my role to do more 2 2016 that fear factor of the of that instead of going out,” she 2 2012 said.

“You’re willing to protect the unknown or maybe 5 2010 younger ones because you know how 2015 they’re embarrassed. things can go.”

But we’re here to help.

1 Hall said it’s not “motherly” to stop 2013 1 sexual assaults. It’s being a friend, a TIM O’SULLIVAN, FRANKLIN 2009 0 responsible person and a human.

POLICE DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF 2011 “On sexual misconduct issues, peoOF POLICE ple—women and men—need to be While the previous policy was fully in responsible and need to be proactive SEXUAL ASSAULTS compliance with Title IX—a law that holds in working to prevent these kinds of in residence halls federally-funded schools accountable for things from happening,” he said. “If ignoring sexual assault reports—the task you do that and it doesn’t work, or force aimed to create a more comprehensive you don’t do that, it doesn’t excuse 6 policy that focused on more than sexual the person from sexually assaulting 2014 9 assault and misconduct. someone.

But if you take preventative 2 2016 The policy protects students and emmeasures, that will reduce the num2012 1 ployees from discrimination, harassment, ber of things that happen.”

5 2010 interpersonal violence, stalking, complicity Hall said that although students 2015 and retaliation. can look out for friends at parties by 1 It also clarifies that employees have an obwatching their drinking habits and 2013 0 0 ligation to alert authorities after misconduct “interven[ing] and say[ing] ‘no’” 2009 2011 cases are reported to them. when they try to leave with someone “I wouldn’t say these details weren’t there they just met, he said he wants to be before and are there now,” Baird said in the clear that victims of sexual assault are SOURCE | 2010 - 2017 ANNUAL CAMPUS SECURITY Nov. 4, 2016 issue of The Franklin. “Rather, AND FIRE SAFETY REPORTS not at fault.

“

7 I would say they have been strengthened, improved upon and clarified.”

Both Baird and Minar recognized the importance of being aware of the problem as a community—all while having tools and resources to report potential violations available.

At the same time, Baird said she recognizes the challenges associated with having conversations about sexual misconduct.

As a result, the task force created an online reporting system, easily accessible through MyFC. Students have the option of filling out a formal or anonymous report about a sexual assault or misconduct. The report is sent to Leonard, director of the college’s sexual assault response team.

Leonard said the college’s intent is to help

students struggling with these situations.

“The more we know, the better,” Leonard said. “Any effort we can make to reach out to these reporting parties to get them the help they might need and be a resource for them, the better it is.”

Hall said he hopes students continue to utilize the newly implemented reporting system.

“We’ve increased the awareness of the availability of reporting. This year it went up from five to nine. It sounds huge. One is too many,” Hall said. “But the point is, I think people are reporting it. That’s a good thing.

It’s a bad thing that it happens. It’s a good thing that people are reporting it.”

Nine sexual assault incidents were reported over the last year, according to the 2017 Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. The report is available on MyFC. ZOIE RICHEY | PHOTO

FRANKLIN COLLEGE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT REPORTING

The college outlines a sexual misconduct reporting process on MyFC for students and employees to access and use. The Franklin adapted the college’s outline for this flowchart.

MISCONDUCT REPORTED Reports can be made: • Anonymously online • To a confidential resource

Reports are routed to a response team.

That team conducts an initial assessment based off of that report.

OR Reports can be made: • Formally online • To a member of the FC Response Team • To any responsible employee

PARTIES ARE NOTIFIED 1. Investigation process 2. Draft investigation 3. Investigator renders final findings 4. Outcome conference with each party

Possible steps • Finding of no violation (case ended) • Hearing request to challenge finding and sanction • Hearing request to challenge only sanction

Hearing process/panel • Evidence presented at panel • Panel determines violation and sanctions • Parties notified of panel’s decision

POST-HEARING APPEAL Appeal of hearing outcome Either party can appeal

Results

Further review/appeal Either party can pursue further review

Results

SOURCE | FRANKLIN COLLEGE SEXUAL MISCONDUCT FLOW CHART

Follow-up by college To check on resolution of the process and hearing

utside the stalwart line of white columns enclosing Franklin College’s sorority suites, a young woman walks hand-in-hand with a toddler. Her dark hair is tied up and pushed aside by a turquoise headband, the sign of yet another long day. She bends down to hold her son and introduces him to the group of women surrounding the Zeta Tau Alpha suite, smiling with strength and contentment.

This year, freshman Vicki May, 22, is a familiar face on campus.

The first-generation college student recently pledged as a sorority woman. Above all else, however, she’s a mother.

MOVING FAST It was the summer of 2013. Like many, Vicki thought she had a carefully structured path to success.

A graduate of Perry Meridian High School, she enrolled in her only school of choice, Franklin College.

The summer was filled with move-in preparations and prolonged goodbyes to her high school boyfriend, Teven May, before he departed for basic training for the U.S. Army.

In July 2013, Vicki came home one day to find a trail of flower petals leading to her childhood bedroom and a bouquet of roses lying on her bed, along with a ring box. Confused, she turned around to leave the room and saw Teven behind her on one knee.

Vicki said ‘yes,’ but had no intention of moving away with him at the outset. In her mind, each would work towards their individual goals. He would complete basic training and earn money in the service, and she would further her studies in elementary education.

Living together and other rites of

HEAR ME

marriage would have to wait.

A week later, though, Vicki found out she was pregnant.

A CHANGE IN PLANS “I was going to stay on campus for that first semester until the baby came. He was due in February,” she said. “That was the plan.”

Vicki began her fall semester as planned in August 2013 and resolved to not tell many people about her pregnancy. She eventually opened up to her roommate.

Beyond her dorm, Vicki concealed her growing body under large T-shirts.

“By then, I realized that people weren’t going to judge me because I’m engaged and pregnant,” she said.

But as her pregnancy progressed, Vicki found it increasingly difficult to complete her work and focus in class. By October 2013, she moved home and dropped all but two courses. By the new year, she and Teven were married.

In February 2014, Vicki gave birth to their first son, Micah.

Following the birth, the new family savored the three days Teven was granted for leave.

But the thought of separation proved to be too painful.

MIGRATION PATTERNS In a matter of days, Vicki packed up the only life she had ever known and moved 800 miles south to Fort Stewart, Georgia, where she would spend the next year and a half.

The family eventually migrated back to Indianapolis where Vicki and Teven worked a variety of jobs in the hospitality and retail industries to pay the bills. Within a few months, they decided to plan for a second child, leading to Vicki’s second pregnancy.

But for Vicki, something was missing.

In an effort to gain fulfillment, Vicki enrolled in Paul Mitchell’s The School, a cosmetology

ROAR

training program. Lacking means of transportation, Vicki would ride an old bicycle from her job at Babies“R”Us to the school, even while six months pregnant.

She was unable to complete the cosmetology program, though, due to scheduling problems.

THE LION AND THE LAMB Teven and Vicki considered homeschooling their two sons, giving her the opportunity to fulfill her dreams of teaching while being a stay-at-home mom.

While she considered the possibility, her heart lingered in classrooms beyond her home.

“In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” Vicki said. “Being a homeschool mom was not going to fulfill that.”

Vicki knew she would have to go back to school. But she lacked time, money and additional resources in caring for her sons.

One day, Vicki’s father opened up to her and encouraged her to go back and finish what she started at Franklin College.

Vicki then submitted her application for readmittance. The door that she once thought had been shut forever was opened.

Then she took one step at a time, first attending the Franklin First Scholars program in the summer, and then partaking in fall sorority recruitment in between studying, caring for her sons and commuting in the late hours of the night.

With Vicki’s decision to continue her education came tensions on her marriage. Despite disagreeing with her husband, Vicki made her goals clear.

“I’m not leaving him behind, but I’m becoming more independent.

I’m not a lamb. I’m becoming more of a lion. I’m not mild or meek. I’m finding my voice here at Franklin.”

One woman's story through marriage, motherhood and college

ERICA IRISH | STORY & PHOTOS

LEIGH DURPHEY | DESIGN

OPINION

ZOIE RICHEY | PHOTO

EDITORIAL THE AGE OF ANXIETY College could do more to support students with anxiety You’re sitting in class when you notice your hands start to shake and your heart is pounding. Colors and sounds become vivid around you, and it becomes harder to concentrate on what your professor is saying.

It’s an anxiety attack.

Anxiety is typically described as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease. Many students get anxiety for different reasons, including exams, social interactions or even the burden of getting through each day.

Far too many people don’t view anxiety as a real issue because everyone gets anxious sometimes. But there’s a difference between being anxious and experiencing anxiety as a mental health disease.

Sophomore Caroline Russell deals with anxiety every day. Russell’s anxiety has caused her to not be able to focus during class. She’s even had to leave because of it.

“It just sucks when it’s in class because that really takes my focus off everything else except my anxiety,” she said. “When it happens, I just get really shaky, and I can’t breathe, and everything gets really vivid.”

Walking out of class isn’t always an option.

Some professors get frustrated when a student leaves in the middle of a lecture.

But if these professors were better trained to recognize the signs of an anxiety attack, they could be better prepared to help those students.

Katie Wehner, the assistant dean for academic affairs, said she believes there have been faculty workshops or discussions about students with anxiety, but there has been no formal training.

Russell is just one of many who suffer from anxiety. According to the Aniexty and Depression Association of America, 40 million adults have some sort of anxiety

disorder, and 75 percent of them first experienced anxiety by the time they were 22.

There are 40 students who receive additional help or accommodation in their classes at Franklin College, and about 20 percent of those students have self-reported or documented anxiety, according to the college’s Academic Resource Center.

In order to receive accommodations, students must set an appointment with Wehner because each case is handled separately.

The first meeting is just a conversation that helps Wehner know what the student is going though and what kind of help would benefit them.

From there, students are expected to provide documentation stating that they do have anxiety, and Wehner will write up an accommodation memo.

Some of the accommodations that students with anxiety have include extra time on exams and being allowed to do presentations in front of a small group of people rather than the whole class.

Another resource that can help students is the security office.

Russell has called the security office a few times when she has had an anxiety attack in the middle of the night and just needed someone to talk to.

“Last year, I remember I had a bad one, and I called security,” Russell said. “We walked around campus, and we talked for four hours because that’s how long it took for me to calm down.”

While security isn’t trained or equipped to be professional counselors, officers can be someone who provides comfort to a student, especially when it’s late at night and there

The Franklin staff believes the college could do even more to help students with anxiety.

THE FRANKLIN OPINION BOARD

are no other staff members on campus.

Security can also help you get into contact with the right resources if something major is wrong.

“Our main priority is the safety and security of students,” Director of Security Steve Leonard said. “We want to make sure first and foremost that there’s no danger involved in how a student is feeling and the kinds of things they might be coping with.”

While security and the ARC accommodate students with anxiety, more could be done at the college overall.

Professors should be trained for, or at least made aware of, ways that they can help a student with anxiety.

Professors should also make a note about anxiety in their syllabuses, like the short paragraphs that are included for those dealing with a learning disability.

The college could also host open discussions for people to attend. These discussions could offers tips on how to cope. They could also be useful in teaching students about the different resources available to them.

Anxiety may seem like a small issue for most people, but for many it’s a hindrance that can cause life-altering complications.

By providing more support and awareness, more students will be able to succeed in their academic careers.

11

GET THE FACTS ON ANXIETY

40 MILLION 75% adults suffer from an anxiety disorder.

of the 40 million experienced their first anxiety episode by age 22.

30%

85%

of college students reported stress negatively affected academic performance.

of college students reported feeling “overwhelmed by everything” at some point in the past year.

of people classified anxiety as the top-presenting concern among college students.

of college students reported they were taking psychotropic medication.

41.6%

24.5%

TWITTER POLL We asked Franklin College students: Does the college do enough for students with anxiety?

33% 67% YES NO *58 people participated in this poll. The Franklin’s polls are illustrative and not scientific. They are a way to get the college community involved.

SOURCE: ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

STEP BY STEP

How students receive help in the Academic Resource Center 1

CONVERSATION The first step a student should take is to contact Katie Wehner, assistant dean for academic services, and talk to her about what they are struggling with. Wehner said she typically asks questions like, “How does the condition impact you in the classroom?”

2

ACCOMODATION MEMO The student will receive an accommodation memo after Wehner and the student agree on what would be most beneficial for the student. The student will then be responsible for having the memo signed by each of their professors and turning it back in to the ARC.

3

PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION

4

FINALIZE ACCOMMODATIONS

After having a conversation with Wehner, the next step involves providing documentation of the condition. This should include information about how the condition impacts them.

Finally, Wehner will initiate a second meeting with the student. In this meeting, Wehner and the student will revisit the items they discussed in the first meeting.

They will also finalize the accommodations the student is eligible for.

ILLEGAL MOVIE DOWNLOADING MORE HARMFUL THAN STUDENTS REALIZE Downloading movies can result in viruses, disciplinary ramifications and more Current college students are a generation determined to figure out the quickest, easiest or cheapest way to do something.

QUINNFITZGERALD This is not a bad thing. These traits help us pave the way for future advancements.

But one space that should never be rigged to find loopholes is the purchase of movies.

Movies should not be illegally downloaded, period.

I have never downloaded a movie online, and I don’t rent movies frequently, which might be why it’s so easy for me to take this stance. Because I view the world with an ethical lens, it’s hard for me to understand the desire to download a movie illegally.

According to Brad Kinder, systems administrator of the IT department, the college’s internet provider, iLite, is notified of illegal activity when it comes to downloading movie, music or even TV-related sites like HBO. From the campus’ network, iLite can find that someone on campus is illegally downloading off the internet.

It’s hard to identify which student does it, and there haven’t been any instances this academic year. But if a student is caught

using the software, Dean of Students Ellis Hall would apply disciplinary actions against the student.

Kinder said when people download the software and content, they’re agreeing to share it with the internet, and they don’t realize it.

If the fear of getting in trouble or your morals don’t stop you, remember that these downloads can cause a virus on your computer. Viruses cannot be removed easily. You can delete the file but not the virus.

Yes, I know we’re all broke college kids, and it’s expensive to pay for all the movies that you could just download for free from the internet. Movie theaters cost money.

Renting costs money. Netflix costs money.

Kinder sympathizes with these concerns, so instead of downloading, he said a safer alternative is to stream the movie from a browser.

I know streaming does not give a person permanent access to a movie or TV like downloading does. But how many times do you really need to watch that movie?

Buy the movie. Rent the movie. Stream the movie. Just don’t illegally download it. Not just because the law insists it, but because it’s just plain disrespectful.

12

PUERTO RICO STILL IN NEED AFTER HURRICANE Students should care about, attempt to help after devastation even from afar On Sept. 20, Hurricane Maria, the first Category 4 storm to hit the island of Puerto Rico since 1932, made landfall.

NICOLEHERNANDEZ Since then, it has continued to create havoc across Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has experienced a level of devastation that few other storms in American history have produced. Still three weeks after the storm hit, most people of Puerto Rico remain without clean water, food, electricity and other basic necessities.

This hit home for me. Can you imagine losing literally everything and going three weeks without clean water or food?

My father was born in Puerto Rico. I have many family members, whom I’ve never met, who have been devastated, and there’s no way for me to get into contact with them.

On Oct. 3, 13 days after the storm hit, President Donald Trump visited the island.

Although it was a delayed visit, and he didn’t hold a meeting about the disaster until six

days after landfall, I’m glad he witnessed the devastation for himself.

But I was disappointed with the president’s response, or lack thereof. I found it very upsetting and very offensive that the president of the United States would say that Puerto Rico has “thrown our budget a little out of whack” and that they “should be proud of what’s taken place in Puerto Rico” because only “sixteen people versus thousands of people” have died as a result of Hurricane Maria.

The very next day, the death toll rose to 34 people.

“This terrible and abominable view of him throwing paper towels and throwing provisions at people does not embody the spirit of the American nation,” San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said following Trump’s visit. “That is not the land of the free and the home of the brave and beacon of democracy that people have learned to look up to across the world.”

Trump’s visit to Puerto Rico was not only offensive, but it acted as if to diminish the suffering and the true need of the people by

comparing it to Hurricane Katrina.

Sadly, because Puerto Rico is separate from the continental United States, it is easy for us to forget that Puerto Ricans are American citizens.

“There’s a geographical preference and, to my estimation, there’s an ethnic preference given to those that live on the U.S. mainland,” said James Alexander, religion professor.

Just because our president is not acting as an example does not mean that we must follow his lead.

In times of desperate need, we as human beings have a way of coming together for a common cause. In order to do so, we have to pay attention to what is going on. We have to truly care about what is going on, and we have to act.

Although you may feel like you are so far away and are incapable of making a difference, there are things you can do to help.

You can give money. You can help spread awareness on social media. You can donate material goods that are in need. You can help others in need.

PAYING ATTENTION TO MEDIA MORE IMPORTANT NOW THAN EVER Why news engagement matters, plays a significant role in current state of society

Oct. 3 was no ordinary day for the faculty of the Pulliam School of Journalism.

It was News Engagement Day, which ERICAIRISH encourages citizens to spend critical time reading, watching, discussing and analyzing available news in remembrance of its crucial role in our society.

“Journalists are the heroes of our society,” public relations professor Ray Begovich said.

“But they get attacked. When there are lists of respected professions, journalists tend to rank at the bottom. I think that’s a problem.”

From the good and the bad, the fake and the true, news is important to American life.

There is no doubt that, in any establishment of democracy, the concept of a free and protected press is crucial in maintaining a healthy marketplace of ideas. A democratic system itself is centered around the idea that thoughts should be shared freely, across generations and across all deviations of ideology and culture.

Today, however, with a president who labels many of our primary sources of

information as “fake,” without credible (or, often, coherent) defense, this open exchange of thought is endangered. For that reason, the worth and importance of news carries additional weight.

While many of us hail the First Amendment as a crowning achievement of our country, actions made by our leaders and a lack of response and investment from the people is drastically negating the importance of the press.

The work journalists do is important to preserving history, establishing cultural norms and determining how we discuss and solve the greatest issues plaguing our society.

There are methods, however, of combating this apathy and regaining a sincere interest and investment in the news media.

I agree with the suggestions of Begovich, who recommends that more students should “get ink on their hands,” or engage themselves with physical, credible print media like

magazines and newspapers.

While digital media can provide us with 24/7 access and informational updates, it is essential that we not forget the cultural importance of in-depth, “old fashioned” print media. Journalists who contribute their precious time and resources to the existence of the print media, a now ailing sector of the industry, do not write purely for recreation or self-fulfillment.

The majority of those who write—for usually little pay—for these outlets do so purely because they recognize the impact and need for authentic and accurate journalism. As an aspiring journalist, I can attest to the effort and intent that one must expend daily in creating written stories. The work isn’t easy, and the compensation is minimal.

The work journalists do is important to preserving history, establishing cultural norms and determining how we discuss and solve the greatest issues plaguing our society.

While they are tasked with representing and improving the state of our lives as an audience, we must uphold our end of the bargain and reciprocate care and criticism to build a stronger, more communicative state.

SPORTS

GAMES IN REVIEW WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. Earlham College L, 3-0 WOMEN’S SOCCER vs. Bluffton University W, 7-0 MEN’S SOCCER vs. Bluffton University L, 3-0 Football players lock arms in protest of racial injustices during the national anthem at the Sept. 30 home game. The Grizzlies are one of several college and NFL football teams protesting the anthem. THOMAS MAXWELL | PHOTO

FOOTBALL @ Earlham College W, 56-26

FOOTBALL PLAYERS JOIN NATIONAL ANTHEM PROTESTS

MEN’S SWIMMING Derby Invitational 2nd of 7

JARED SCHOEN | STORY jared.schoen@franklincollege.edu

WOMEN’S SWIMMING Derby Invitational 1st of 7

Players hope to create unity in time of disagreement What started as one man protesting racial inequality led to nationwide attention, and some Franklin College football players are participating in the protest.

Mike Leonard, the football team’s head coach, said the team decided lock arms and stand facing the flag before their game against Manchester University on Sept. 30.

This decision came after former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started sitting and eventually kneeling for the national anthem to protest racial injustice, particularly regarding police brutality.

President Donald Trump recently tweeted that NFL players who protest the national anthem should be fired, sparking players across the country to join the movement.

A few days prior to the Sept. 30 game, players approached Leonard and asked what the team could do to bring unity during this time of disagreement.

The entire coaching staff and team met in Richardson Chapel to discuss the situation.

They decided to stand during the anthem, but still protest.

“I was extremely proud of the way they responded,” Leonard said. “Everyone I saw in the community that I talked to after the game were so impressed and said that there should be other teams that take the example

of what Franklin did today. It was powerful.”

Deontez Alexander, a junior wide receiver, said he wanted to lock arms to highlight the injustices because of some of his experiences with fans and people from other schools.

“We decided to show the people of Franklin that we can make a stand and still respect our country,” Alexander said. “We didn’t want to kneel because people might take it the wrong way. They don’t see it as standing up to racial injustice; they see it as disrespecting our country and disrespecting our military and flag when it is not about that at all.”

While the team only locked arms, a few players wanted to kneel. One of these players, junior defensive back David Masayile, had personal reasons for his response.

One of his family members was recently affected by racism. He said his family member’s experience was a wakeup call that he needed to stand up for them.

“We are protesting for racial injustice, but it’s also that the mentality of racism starts at a young age, and a lot of people don’t understand that unless they go through it,” Masayile said. “If you get one or two people talking about it, that’s one or two more people who are getting the conversation started.”

UPCOMING GAMES WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL 10/14 @ Anderson College 10/17 vs. Transylvania WOMEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Mt. St. Joseph 10/18 vs. Transylvania MEN’S SOCCER 10/14 @ Mt. St. Joseph 10/18 @ Transylvania FOOTBALL 10/21 @ Rose-Hulman 10/28 vs. Mt. St. Joseph MEN’S SWIMMING 10/21 vs. Illinois Institute WOMEN’S SWIMMING 10/21 vs. Illinois Institute

14

Senior catcher Jackson Freed spent his summer playing for the Medicine Hat Mavericks in Alberta, Canada. Freed played in a special summer program created to help college baseball players improve their skills. BRYAN WELLS | PHOTO

BASEBALL PLAYER CATCHES SPOT ON A NEW TEAM Freed says he didn’t want to regret passing up opportunity to play in Canada BRANDON BARGER | STORY brandon.barger@franklincollege.edu

Jackson Freed, a senior catcher at Franklin College, remembers game four of the Western Division Finals in the Western Major Baseball League well.

As he walked up to bat for the Medicine Hat Mavericks, he heard 4,000 fans in Alberta, Canada, chant two words over and over again.

“Jackson sucks! Jackson sucks! Jackson sucks!”

As he stepped into the batter’s box, he saw his teammates on the first and third bases.

When the pitcher threw the ball, he swung and hit a line drive to second. The player on third scored, and the entire crowd went silent.

Freed said it was an unreal moment—one he will never forget.

His journey to Medicine Hat started when the Franklin College baseball team’s assistant coach Grant Beling asked him and senior infielder Frank Podkul if they would like to play on a college summer team.

“He asked if we were interested in playing in Canada, and said he needed to know by tomorrow,” Freed said. “So, I called my parents, and my dad said, ‘Absolutely, I think you should.’ I realized that 10 years down the road, I might regret not doing this, so I said absolutely.”

When he arrived in the Medicine Hat locker room, he said it was a completely different atmosphere.

Senior catcher Jackson Freed said he made numerous memories that he will never forget. BRYAN WELLS | PHOTO

“They treated us like professional ball players, which was super cool coming from a Division III program,” Freed said.

Most of Freed’s teammates were from colleges in Texas, California, Alabama and Canada, to name a few.

“We had to really understand who the guys were in the first few practices before we started playing,” he said.

Freed said the experience that meant the most to him was the game he played July 16—the four-year anniversary of his aunt’s death.

Freed had been in a batting slump up until this point, and on his fourth at bat, he blasted his farthest home run that season. He dedicated the homer in memory of his aunt.

Lance Marshall, head coach for Franklin College’s baseball team, said he thinks sending players to different teams during the summer improves their skills.

“We have had many players play in different leagues around the country,” Marshall said. “It’s a great opportunity for guys to learn. It’s a very similar experience to the professionals.”

Marshall said he is not the only one decides where Franklin College players compete during the summer program.

“Sometimes we try to find a place for the players to play, but the teams also call here and ask for players to come to their teams,” Marshall said.

Of all the things that Freed learned in Canada, one skill he said he hopes to bring back to the Grizzlies is confidence.

“What we need to understand here at Franklin is that we have really good players.

We just have to believe in ourselves. When we believe that, we can come every day to the ballpark and play to the best of our abilities.”

15

PLAYER EJECTED FROM GOLD SQUAD GAME Coach Leonard says incident serves as ‘learning experience’ for team JADA JONES | STORY jada.jones@franklincollege.edu

A football player was ejected from a freshman-level Gold Squad game against Hanover College for a fight—a rare event for the team.

The fight between a Hanover player and freshman wide receiver Paul Minor at the Sept. 18 game occurred after a play was complete. Referees subsequently ejected both players.

“Paul was blocking the defender when the defender went a little too far, got mad, threw off Paul’s helmet and threw the first punch,” freshman linebacker Joey Bejin said.

Head Coach Mike Leonard said he can count on one or two fingers how many times he’s seen anything of the sort happen in his 15 years of coaching at Franklin College.

“This is something we haven’t had much of an issue with, and sometimes these things do happen,” he said. “But we just cannot tolerate it.”

While he suffered consequences, Minor

said he learned a lesson from the incident and through Leonard’s coaching.

“I was very frustrated, and it just caught me off guard,” Minor said. “I know to just walk away next time.”

Franklin College follows the NCAA policy when fighting in a game occurs. The player’s discipline is determined by the head coach, Leonard, and then approved by the school’s athletic director, Kerry Prather.

Leonard decided Minor’s punishment would be conditioning regimes for an entire practice. Minor also had to sit out the game against Manchester University Sept. 30.

Leonard said seeing Minor engage in a fight was unexpected.

“He is one of the nicest, most respectful people that I have ever coached,” he said. “I was shocked to see what was transpiring.”

Minor was originally recruited to the college as a basketball player.

“When I told the basketball coaches the

story, their jaws dropped,” he said. “They couldn’t believe it.”

Minor’s teammates said the incident doesn’t just have a negative impact on Minor, but the entire team.

“I felt frustrated that my teammate let the opponent get into his head,” senior linebacker Logan Hale said. “I also felt sad my friend was not able to show his skills in the game. If I had known what the opposing player was saying, I would have tried to talk my friend down.”

Leonard said that it serves as a learning experience for everyone.

“He paid his punishment to the team, and it has been addressed, and hopefully everybody will chalk it up to be a learning experience that we just cannot have that,” Leonard said. “We are an education. I am an educator. We teach from these things. You learn from these things.”

SWIMMING, DIVING TEAMS COMPETE IN NEW CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP Replacing Grizzlies’ Liberal Arts meet, HCAC Championships will be one of smallest in nation JUSTIN PENNINGTON | STORY justin.pennington@franklincollege.edu

The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will compete in the first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championship this season.

In previous seasons, the Grizzlies have competed in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, Ohio Athletic Conference and most recently in the Liberal Arts Swimming Conference.

Andrew Hendricks, head swimming and diving coach, said the change from the Liberal Arts Conference to the HCAC Championships is monumental.

“Last year we’re coming off a championship for both teams,” Hendricks said. “It was a big deal for us to sweep the championships at the Liberal Arts meet, and it was a lot of great competition.”

The Grizzlies join Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Anderson University, Transylvania University and Manchester University as the only teams competing in the championship this season. This will make the HCAC one of the smallest conferences for swimming and diving in the country.

Andrew Hendricks, head swimming and diving coach, said the new conference is a monumental change.

CLAIRE CASTILLO | PHOTO

Hendricks said the teams will have to adjust to moving from a conference with more than 300 athletes to the HCAC championships, where there will be 150 athletes total.

“Ironically, even though the meet is going to be smaller, it’s actually going to be faster at the upper end with Franklin and Rose Hulman in particular,” Hendricks said.

He added that no matter when, where or who the competition is, his job is to give the athletes the best competitive experience pos-

sible, encourage them to do the best as they can and win another championship.

“With swimming and diving joining the HCAC, I think it provides some good competition,” sophomore swimmer Zach Rayce said. “It also keeps our team closer to Franklin for our championship meet.

Our major goal as a team is to win the first HCAC championship.”

The women’s team shares the goal of winning the HCAC championship.

“The girls team wants to be undefeated this year,” sophomore swimmer Cady Mehringer said. “We got really close last year, and I think that frustrated us a little. Franklin swimming is still on the up and coming, and for us to go undefeated will really put us on the map even more.”

The HCAC championships will take place at the Vigo County Aquatic Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, next February.

“A win would continue to set the tone that all athletics at Franklin can be successful regardless of how long they have been established,” Hendricks said.

ZOIE RICHEY | COVER & BACK PHOTO

LAST LOOK MICHAEL LADERA, SENIOR

Ladera and other BIO 114 students measure how much oxygen mice use in different temperatures. “My favorite part about this lab was seeing how much it actually takes to produce these chemical reactions,” he said. “Also, the mice.”