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The voice of Austin Peay State University since 1929
MARCH 29, 2006
Volume 77, Number 24
First copy free, additional copies 50 cents each
Domestic abuse increases at APSU By STEPHANIE COWARD Online Editor
Domestic violence has increased on the Austin Peay State University campus. APSU police currently have seven possible domestic violence charges pending. “We had none (domestic violence charges) until St. Valentine’s Day,” said Charlie Struckel, campus police crime prevention unit officer. “Stalking, harassment, false imprisonment and kidnapping are the most common violations that are domestic abuse related,” Struckel said. Women are more prone to be the recipient of domestic violence than men. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,“one in four women will experience domestic violence
during her lifetime.” The coalition also states that “young women ages 16-24 experience the highest rate of domestic violence —16 per 1,000 persons.”
Get your facts straight
Complaints Student Affairs also handles domestic violence-related issues, however, students who report the incidents to the department are not reporting them as a crime but “as a violation of the code of student conduct,” said Patrick Meldrim, interim director of judicial affairs. “The office of Student Affairs has received reports either directly or through Public Safety in about 16 situations that involved unwanted behaviors,” Meldrim said. Students reporting these incidents are made aware of the
resource options both on and off campus, Meldrim said. It is at the student’s discretion where they file a complaint. While incidents reported to Student Affairs are not treated as criminal offenses, incidents reported to campus police will be if laws are found to be broken. If a student chooses to file his or her complaint with campus police, an officer will fill out a report regarding the incident and
investigate accordingly. That is not the only action the police can take. If one chooses, he or she can file an order of protection against the person causing the incident, as long as the officer has determined reasonable proof for the request. According to Struckel, campus police officer will accompany anyone to the legal aid office in Clarksville where they will receive the necessary help to take out an
order of protection for free. An order of protection, or restraining order by its generic name, is binding in all 50 states as soon as the judge signs one. Domestic violence is a serious crime that has become more prevalent on campus since February.A conviction will follow someone the rest of his or her life. “If you are convicted of any domestic violence law, you lose your right to own a firearm (nationwide) for the rest of your life,” Struckel said.
was devised and is still undergoing revisions. Phase one of the plan is to install blue lights with all of the emergency phones throughout campus, Struckel said. However, not every campus street will have blue lights; the university cannot install its property on city streets. Another point of the four-phase plan is a new blue light/emergency phone structure in between the female dorms, Sevier and Blount, Struckel said. Campus police also offers a number of crime prevention programs at no cost to the student, which they will custom-tailor to meet students’ and student groups’ needs. “The laws in Tennessee are a lot better than they used to be, but they still have a ways to go,” Struckel said. ✦
Fighting back “The university provides education and counseling and encourages students to make appropriate choices to increase their own safety,” Meldrim said. Campus police are combating crime directly.A four-phase plan
Mexico remains suspended,pending audit Police say no leads on car stolen from Meacham lot By T.L. KAYYOS BROWN and HOLLY MARTIN Guest Writer/ Staff Writer
The Austin Peay State University study abroad program in Mexico remains on hold pending internal and external investigations of the program by the state of Tennessee. The program was suspended in the fall of 2005. In February 2006, administrators gave official notification of the program’s suspension. According to Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Bruce Speck, university officials found irregularities in the program, and an audit was requested by President Sherry Hoppe. Jackie Struckmeyer, internal auditor for APSU, said she and the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury are conducting the audit. No other study abroad programs at APSU are being audited, Struckmeyer said. Administrators have given little additional information as to why the audit began, but they have said it stems from an incident in which two students from another university were expecting credit from APSU after participating in its Mexico program.Administrators would not provide any additional information about these students or from what university they came. It is uncertain when students will be able to attend another study abroad program in Mexico, although Speck said he hopes the program will return in summer of 2007. “The program is on hold waiting for the state of Tennessee to decide the status of the program,” Diane McDonald, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, said. McDonald said Hoppe’s decision to request the audit came from her concern for students’ safety. Hoppe was not available for comment. According to Ramon Magrans, professor of Spanish literature and history, the program has been operating problem-free for the past 23 years. The program itself has never lost money, according to
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The name “Stubby”on the back of the car is owner Joseph Stubblefield’s nickname. The car is rare and considered antique .
Police confident they will find car, reward for return increased LIZ WALKER/STAFF
During the study abroad program to Mexico, students would get to spend a weekend in Acapulco. Pictured here is the beach directly in front of the Tortuga Hotel. Students would also get to attend the famous cliff divers’ performance and visit Princess Beach, a well-known vacation destination.
Speck. Magrans has overseen the study abroad Mexico program since 1982. For him, the audit was unexpected and unclear. “I’m at a total loss as to why the whole program is being audited,” Magrans said.“I hope it’s up and running by next summer.” According to Speck, there will be some type of Mexico program. “We’re very anxious to provide students with travel overseas,” he said.“We just want it to run smoothly.” Approximately 50 students participated in the program annually during the summer and winter semesters, according to Magrans. The program provides education in the culture, language and behaviors of Mexico natives through Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca.“Going there, students can learn all of these
things,” Magrans said. La Shawna Conwell, who had planned to go to Mexico last semester, feels she missed out on the experience. Conwell, 25, is an education major in her junior year and was looking forward to going to Mexico last December. She said she received a letter from APSU telling her the credits she would get at Universidad Internacional would not be transferable. Conwell said she hopes the program returns soon. “I would like for the program to be offered again, even though I would not be able to take advantage of it,” she said.“I think it would be a missed opportunity for others.” For psychology major, Teresa Slagle, the Study Abroad Mexico Program was an invaluable experience. “Being exposed to a different culture, very different from that of
APSU officers sworn in
the United States, was the highlight of my experience in Mexico,” said Slagle, who is originally from California. She said she would recommend the program to other students because “it would be a great opportunity to travel and to see other cultures outside of the United States.” According to McDonald, the only alternative now is the study abroad program in Spain. Magrans said, however, the Spain program is not as educationally rewarding as the Mexico program because it gives students only three hours of classroom time—the Mexico program gives eight hours. Magrans said he is encouraging students not to give up on the program. “I hope the audit is resolved promptly for the benefit of the students,” Magrans said. ✦
Staff Writer
JAROD LEONARD/STAFF
News Editor
A yellow 1981 Chevy El Camino was stolen from Meacham Lot, Friday, March 17. The car was stolen sometime Friday night. The victim, junior psychology major Joseph Stubblefield, said that there were sightings of his car in his hometown of Lexington Tenn. from 9:45 p.m. to 10 p.m., meaning that the car had to have been stolen sometime a couple hours prior to this time. It is a two-and-ahalf-hour drive from Clarksville to Lexington. Stubblefield said he was away with friends for the weekend. He said as of right now they have investigators working on the case but they have had no results from the search. Stubblefield said that the alleged suspect of the theft was very “unprofessional.” They didn’t know what they were doing. I even found paint chips
on the ground.” He said that they removed the lock and left evidence behind. Stubblefield had returned from a fishing trip in Nashville and his roommate noticed that the vehicle was missing and alerted him.After searching Meacham lot, Stubblefield called campus police and reported the car as stolen. He said that the reward has been increased from $200 to $400, in hopes that information will come to light. Stubblefield said,“was even going out to [whoever] stole the car. If they want $400 then we’ll give them the money.We just want that car back.” Crime prevention unit officer, Charles Struckel said, “Cars are not stolen because of what type they are. They are stolen for parts.” Stubblefield said that the car was something he and his
see Car theft, page 2
Testing center for online students not needed for all departments By APRIL MCDONALD
Anthony Gordon, left, John Graciani and Michael Chandler are new campus police officers who were sworn in at 8:30 a.m., Monday morning in the lobby of the Browning building.
By DAVE CAMPBELL
Some time ago, the faculty, primarily online faculty, was given a poll on establishing a testing center in order to have proctored exams on campus. According to statistics presented during the February Faculty Senate meeting by John Foote, chemistry professor and Faculty Senate president of Austin Peay State University, there were 58 responses. Of the responses, 41 said that a testing center is needed 15 would like it to administer midterms and finals; seven asked for administering of three or four tests and seven want it for finals only. Harriet McQueen, dean of
enrollment and academic support said “This is just a proposal.” The current considerations and concerns include space, time and staffing. There are only 15 computers in the current testing center were the COMPASS assessment and similar tests are proctored. With a limited time window for midterm and final exams the testing center could only accommodate 281 students a week. According to Stan Groppel, dean of extended and distance education, approximately 6,800 seats for 220 sections would be needed to accommodate all APSU and Regents Online Degree Program sections. Additional clerical needs, and
proctors would also be necessary, and current resources cannot accommodate a large increase in volume. There is also the concern of online students who reside out-of-state and those who are currently serving in Iraq, as they would be unable to arrive at the testing center for the proctored exams. In addition, the Fort Campbell campus operates on an alternate calendar, and scheduling for those exams would need to be given special consideration. McQueen said that the testing center is “under consideration. Most likely the interest in this program is not balanced through all departments.” ✦