Winter 2015 Week 6

Page 1

Thursday, February 12, 2014

Homophobic Handbook

One-Act Festival

SF Archbishop Creates Controversy

Broncos shine on stage

OPINION, PAGE 6

SCENE, PAGE 4

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“Seinfeld” Director Shares Story Discrimination Policy Updated Panel of students, faculty and staff address updated codes on sexual assault Nicolas Sonnenburg The Santa Clara

MAX WESTERMAN — THE SANTA CLARA

Andy Ackerman spoke at the President’s Speaker Series on Monday. He shared the story of his journey to success with the audience at Mayer Theatre. The Santa Clara alumnus has worked on popular teleivion shows including “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Ackerman has earned three Emmy Awards.

Award winner and Santa Clara alumnus speaks on campus Maura Turcotte

Associate Reporter His talents as a director, producer and editor have earned Andy Ackerman Emmys and other awards for his work on popular television shows “Seinfeld,” “Cheers” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but it was his early achievement – and persistence – that launched his success. Ackerman, who graduated from Santa Clara in 1978, returned to his alma mater Monday as the featured guest in the President’s Speaker Series. Addressing a near-capacity crowd in Mayer Theatre, Ackerman reflected on a career that could have easily veered down another path if it weren’t for the determination that got his foot in the

door and into the business. After months of networking post college graduation, Ackerman said he found himself jobless and frustrated. He said that one day he visited the production offices of “Welcome Back, Kotter” – the television series that launched actor John Travolta’s career. Turned off by Ackerman’s youthful appearance, the receptionist tried to shoo him away. Instead of leaving, Ackerman opted to wait in the office in the hopes that someone would see him. Ackerman said he waited for four hours, until finally the head of production brought him into her office. She directed him toward the editing department, where he learned how to use the equipment in a few days – something he likened to cramming for finals at Santa Clara – and he landed the job of assistant editor. Soon after, he went to work as an editor on

Softball Starts Off Season Goes 1-5 in Arizona SPORTS, PAGE 7

the show “WKRP in Cincinnati” and earned his first Emmy (for technical achievement in editing) – just two years after graduating from Santa Clara. To this day, he remains the youngest recipient of the award. In the years since, Ackerman has pursued a prolific career that has included successful stints as director and producer of some of television’s most popular sitcoms. He directed 89 “Seinfeld” episodes, including the classic “Soup Nazi” episode. “Few television directors have shaped an entire genre of television programming, as Andy Ackerman has done with American television comedy,” said Stephen Lee, associate professor of communication. Lee emphasized Ackerman’s shooting

“Few television directors have shaped an entire genre of television.”

See PRODUCER, Page 3

After federal and state legislation narrowed the definition of harassment and assault, Santa Clara has created a task force to draft a policy concerning sexual misconduct and discrimination. The task force will update Santa Clara policies in line with a state law passed last September, which requires all post-secondary institutions in California receiving state funds for financial aid to update their definitions of affirmative consent in regards to sexual assault cases. According to the law, it would not be considered affirmative consent if one of the parties engaging in sexual activity was intoxicated, asleep, incapacitated or had a mental or physical disability that made them unable to communicate. The task force is also responsible for creating a unified investigation process, overseen by the Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator, and will establish a system of sanctions for acts of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence. Their actions will update Staff Manual Policy 311, “Prevention of Unlawful Harassment and Discrimination.” The task force met for the first time on Monday to focus on the duties of the fledgling committee. Several members said that it is most important for the potential policies to have clear language. “(We) want to ensure that members of the campus community understand their rights and options for the resolution of complaints of alleged discrimination and harassment,” said Belinda Guthrie, EEO and Title IX Coordinator and chair of the task force, in an email. “(We will) write Policy 311 in a way that is clear, accessible and not cumbersome or intimidating.” The university administration approached the challenge by drawing from members of the whole Santa Clara community. Faculty, staff and students are all serving on the task force. “There was real concern about a ‘top down’ approach to this issue,” said Professor Nancy Unger, a task force member. “This policy needs to fit the Santa Clara culture. The body that was asked to convene is representative of the whole campus.” Due to the pressing nature of sexual harassment and discrimination cases, the committee hopes to complete their work by the end of the academic year, according to School of Law professor Gary Neustadter. Once their policy draft is complete, it will be sent to the Faculty Senate for consideration and to the Santa Clara Board of Trustees for final approval. Once approved, the changes to the policy will go into effect immediately. Contact Nicolas Sonnenburg at nsonnenburg@ scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.

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