BASKETBALL
ZAK KNUTSON
Knutson sits down for an exclusive interview with The Lorian Page 7
Men’s and women’s teams are off to fast starts Page 10-11 November 20, 2014 — Vol. 93, Issue 8
Campus Climate Survey assesses students’ feelings on safety by SEABELO MONTWEDI | news writer
At the beginning of November, Loras launched a Campus Climate Survey as an attempt to not only ensure safety on campus, but also to understand the different issues that may threaten students’ safety. This survey came in response to the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault’s recommendation to conduct a climate survey. “It’s not a mandate … and Loras (decided) that this would be a good fit for us,” said Kim Walsh, associate dean of students. “We want to ensure that our campus is safe, that we have a good campus climate, and that if we don’t, we can address whatever those things are so that, in the end, we (have) a safe campus climate.” According to Katie Tharp, director of institutional research, campus sexual assault is severely underreported, making it difficult for institutions to understand the full scope of the problem. This then makes it difficult to up an institution’s security and safety standards if need be. However, new resources released by the White House task force provided Loras College with tools to address this issue by conducting a detailed climate survey addressing student safety and sexual misconduct. “We decided to implement the survey because we believe our campus response, intervention and prevention efforts will be more successful if they are tailored to the needs of the Loras campus community,” said Tharp. Although Loras conducted a general campus climate survey several years ago, it was more geared towards finding out how comfortable students feel around campus. The new climate survey, in addition to these more broad questions of inclusion, was specifically developed to inform the campus’s policies and practices addressing student safety and sexual misconduct. To get a clearer picture of student safety and sexual misconduct on campus, the college decided to make this a population survey instead of a sample survey. Though
CAB reveals spring 2015 performer by CLAIRA SIEVERDING | for the lorian
The Loras Campus Climate Survey was launched in order to gather information about how community members feel about the atmosphere of safety on campus. photo by CASSANDRA BUSCH
a sample survey costs less and is less time consuming, surveying all students over the age of eighteen gives the most complete picture. “Ultimately, we want to know what our entire campus climate is like,” said Walsh. “Inviting all students to participate gives us the broadest look on what’s happening on campus and what’s not.” According to Tharp, the college ultimately plans to use the results of this survey to “tailor programs and policies on campus that enhance student safety and protect them from sexual assault.” Although this is an effort geared towards improving student experience by providing a safer environment, some students are reluctant to take the survey. “I haven’t taken the survey because I haven’t been told what it is about,” said a current senior. “I took a survey a few years ago, but I haven’t heard how this one is different.” However, this survey, according to Walsh, will be helpful for students in the
long run because it will direct the campus in its attempt to be a more safe place. “We want students to feel comfortable in safe reporting,” said Walsh. “We want them to know how to report, that we take this seriously and that we really want to make Loras a safe climate for all students. So, the more students that take the survey, the more accurate will be the results and our response to the results.” The college welcomes feedback from all students and encourages them to participate in the 15-30 minutes survey. In addition, students can skip any questions they feel uncomfortable answering and still complete the survey. The respondents’ confidentiality is also protected in a way that only one person has access to the individual responses, and even then, that one person has no way of knowing who the individual respondents are. The survey will remain open until Dec. 12. To participate, students should look for an email from Art Sunleaf, dean of students.
On Nov. 17, The Loras College Activities Board announced that the Eli Young Band would take to the stage in the AWC next semester on May 15, to conclude the annual Loraspalooza events. The Eli Young Band has many well-known chart toppers: “Crazy Girl,” “Drunk Last Night,” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” The Eli Young Band has received many awards and even Grammy recognition for Best Duo/Group Performance. They have also received a number of nominations from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music including Best Country Song, Single of the Year and Song of the Year. Ticket information will be made available to students and the public soon. The Loras College Activities Board want ticket prices to remain relatively low for students; the first 400 Student tickets will cost $10 each, and public tickets will be $25. If you have any questions about the concert, please contact Melissa Klinkhammer at melissa.klinkhammer@ loras.edu.
Streamlines showcases student writers by CASSANDRA BUSCH | news editor
This past Saturday, Nov. 15, eight students were given the opportunity to present their work at the annual Streamlines Undergraduate Conference in Language, Literature, and Writing. Any undergraduate student is welcome to apply to showcase their piece at Streamlines, which could include a creative short story, non-fiction piece, poem, literary paper or panel. Accepted students then present their work for conference attendees, other presenters and faculty at the event which is traditionally held in November. Each year, the conference rotates location between the University of Dubuque, Clarke University, and Loras and is co-hosted by the English & Language-Literature departments of the three institutions. This year, the event took place at Clarke University with Dr. Kate McCarthy-Gilmore as the Loras representative on the organizing committee. “I wanted to participate because I think the conference is a dynamic and unique experience for our students,” said McCarthy-Gilmore. “Over 50 students presented, and there were over ten schools from the Midwest represented by these presentations. The exposure to the high quality of work at Streamlines as well as connection to peers working in the same areas at other institutions provides intellectual and personal development for students.” The eight Loras students that were ac-
Loras students and faculty members attended Streamlines to present or celebrate the work of their undergraduate writer’s pieces. photo CONTRIBUTED
cepted covered a broad range of works: sophomore Ellie Horst presented a paper in literary analysis, senior Colin Halbmaier and sophomore Cassandra Busch presented fiction pieces, senior Devin Gackle covered popular culture analysis, senior Hallie Hayes had creative non-fiction, poetry and literary analysis, junior Noelle Henneman and senior Ryan Graham presented their creative non-fiction, and senior Nora Zerante presented poetry. “I definitely think that it is a great ego-boosting opportunity for undergraduate writers who are still developing their skills,” said Hayes. “As undergraduates, it’s easy to
be humble about our work because we are still learning how to get our ideas out on the page. As a writer though, it’s important to be humble about your work, but it’s also important to balance this humility with confidence in your work. Getting accepted to a conference like Streamlines is one of those chances to build your confidence.” These Loras students were accompanied by other student presenters from Waldorf College, Saint Mary’s University-Winona, University of St. Thomas, Trinity Christian College, Briar Cliff University and Coe College.
The day began with check-in at 8 a.m., and panels began at 8:30 a.m. Three panels took place at one time, and these panels broke students up into groups depending on their topics or formats of their pieces. Each panel consisted of four or five students presenting their works and was moderated by a faculty member from one of the three co-hosting colleges. There was also a session for faculty panels that were able to present on a variety of topics as well. “On another note, I think the conference promotes idea-sharing,” said Hayes. “When you can hear works written by other authors and have the chance to ask them about their creative processes and struggles they encounter, you get a fresh perspective on writing and that can in turn filter into your own writing. In a way, I think it broadens our imaginations.” Morning sessions were followed by a catered lunch and then a keynote speaker. The keynote speaker for this year was William May, former Vice President for Caterpillar, Inc. who spoke about the humanities as preparation for the business world. Three more afternoon panel sessions took place before the conclusion of the conference at 5 p.m. Next year, the Streamlines conference will be taking place on Loras’ campus. Interested students and faculty can apply next fall for the 2015 conference.