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Volume 104 | Issue 8
March 6, 2020
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More tornado coverage see page 3
like the washer, dryer and television. The couch may be a total loss. Wet insulation squished beneath their feet as they went room to room. Insulation, pieces of drywall, broken glass, twisted metal and shards of wood covered everything.
Sonʼs cry warns students IRENE SULLIVAN
Reporter Three-year old Kellan Brown heard a storm early Tuesday morning and ran to wake his mom, Tech student, Emily Hendrixson. The heavy rainstorm masked the sound of a tornado. “We were asleep. Kellan woke us up. It just sounded like heavy rain,” Bryce Watts, said. “We heard no sirens, we had no alerts.” Seconds later most of the roof on their West Broad Street house flew
off except the part covering a bedroom where Kellan huddled with his mom and Watts, her boyfriend. “It all happened so fast,” Watts said. “There was no time to think, we just reacted.” An early morning tornado traveled across middle Tennessee on Tuesday destroying property and at last count, killing 22 people. Watts, Hendrixson and her son had all survived with only minor cuts and abrasions from the flying broken glass. The windows and doors
photo by Irene Sullivan
Despite losing her home, flowers picked for Emily Hendrixon by her son remained untouched.
blew in when the roof flew off. Rain, wind and bits of soggy insulation pelted the three as they ran to escape the nightmare their home had become. Neighbors from across the street came running to help. The rest of the
night the three and other displaced neighbors huddled together in an undamaged home, he said. Hendrixson and Kellan moved in a month ago and furnished the two-bedroom home with new furniture. Their first
real look at the devastation came at dawn, as they began trying to sort through what could be salvaged. w Even then it was still dangerous. The remaining roof collapsed as they hurriedly removed the few items worth saving
Every room in the home was touched. Couches and chairs weighted down underneath the wet soggy mess. Clothes hung abandoned in closets without doors, dripping water onto the already saturated carpet. The bathroom where Hendrixson bathed her son was almost unrecognizable. His bathtub toys miraculously still clung to the side of the bathtub surrounded by fallen drywall and debris. Kellan’s room, bed, his see SAFE page 3
Tech joins campus rape conversation SPECIAL REPORT Only Tennessee Tech students Jane and Joe know what really happened in Room 508 of Pinkerton Hall on Aug. 30, 2018. She says Joe, a 19-year-old she met at band camp, picked her up, kissed her, stripped off their clothes, laid her on the bed and raped her. He said it never happened. Jane, a 17-year-old freshman at the time, admittedly lived in denial for months until the friends she confided in encouraged her to report the assault to campus police. She said university officials’ handling of her rape complaint only frustrated her. Although officials followed protocol, the process at times appeared confusing, ineffective and contradictory. In the end, her nine-month struggle to seek justice landed her on the wrong side of the law. Her frustrations escalated into anger and fear which led to her own two-year suspension from school and an assault charge. Her alleged attacker faced few repercussions. In fact, officials in the Office of Student Affairs ruled that August encoun-
was nonconsensual,” according to documents obtained through an open records request. When asked how a determination of consensual sex is made when one party says it occurs and the other said there was no physical contact, a Title IX Coordinator replied that an investigator looks for evidence to corroborate and in some cases no evidence is found and no conclusion can be drawn.
“As far as I’m concerned, they’ve just made things even harder on me, and want me gone I feel hopeless and helpless,” Jane said. ter was consensual even though Joe told campus police they never had sex, according to a Tech report from the investigation into the encounter. “As far as I’m concerned, they’ve just made things even harder on me, and want me gone,” Jane said. “I feel hopeless and helpless.” Jane’s hesitation to recognize her encounter as rape and then to report it, is not uncommon. More than 90 percent of assaults on college campuses are not reported at all, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Records show Tennessee Tech University police received six reported rapes from 2016-2018 – only a fraction of what some officials believe actually occurred. According to a 2014 campus survey, 25 percent of respondents have experienced an attempted or completed rape. On June 24, officials ruled Joe did not violate the school’s sexual misconduct policy. “While the preponderance is suffi
Clear and Convincing graphic by Valerie Hubert
TTU students Abby Dykes, Emma Holmes, Miranda Maynard, and Marissa Vazquez worked in conjunction with Ben Wheeler at the Cookeville Herald- Citizen. The aim of this article is to draw attention to a national issue that is becoming alarmingly prevalent on college campuses. The names of the accused and accuser are annonymous to protect their privacy. cient to conclude that Complainant and respondent engaged in sexual intercourse, the evidence does not support the conclusion the intercourse
“Can you imagine being a 19-year-old college freshman and everyone saying, ‘That’s the girl?’ A lot of victims don’t report out of embarrassment or the shame that they feel.” Thirteenth Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway said sexual misconduct cases are underreported nationwide and he has yet to prosecute a sexual assault case from Tech since he was elected in 2014. “One of my big frustrations is there are 12,000 people (at Tech) … and I would prosecute any crime that happened on that campus, and I can’t think of a single sexual assault or rape case that came from Tennessee Tech,” Dunaway said. “I’ve had many conversations with see Rape, page 4
Debate team sponsering SGA supports national tournament here Oldhamʼs raise, bonus VICTORY MURRAY Reporter Tech’s Speech and Debate Team members are racking up numerous individual and team awards with to tournaments left this season. So far, members have won 51 individual awards and eight team awards. The team also had two members, Jay Norsworthy and Mik Davis, be named state champions at their most recent tournament on Feb. 22-23 at Volunteer State Community College. Although members of the Speech and Debate Team make it look easy with all the success they are having, it is just as difficult as any sport. “Believe it or not, it’s both physically and mentally challenging. From waking up at 5:30am to competing till 10pm, it’s a physically daunting event. Not to mention the walking and running from room to room. It’s
“A national championship has been a dream of mine since I began this journey years ago,” Johnson said mentally challenging because you have to argue a variety of topics, doing tons of research in such a short amount of time. Also, like sports, you have to be sharp and avoid mistakes,” said Tyler Johnson, senior political science major. The Speech and Debate Team is also scheduled to host the International Public Debate Association National Tournament Mar. 14-17. This will be the first time the team has hosted a national event. The 11-member team won 225 individual and 15 team awards last year making the 2018-2019 season their most successful yet. Aside from winning numerous awards, the team does not plan on stopping there. They still
have individual and team goals they want to reach, including breaking last year’s record, before they wrap up their season. “For the team we have two tournaments left this year, the IPDA National Debate Tournament (which is being hosted by us), and the NFA Individual Events and Debate Tournament. In terms of team goals, we hope to perform well at the National level. Personally, I’m still chasing a national championship to end my “career” with. I have a state championship on persuasive speaking from 2019, almost a repeat in 2020, but a National Championship has been a dream of mine since I began this journey years ago. It would be one heck of a send off,” said Johnson.
KITTY PORTERFIELD Reporter SGA members expressed mostly positive opinions on the proposed 1.012% salary increase for President Phil Oldham, but raised concerns about the pay disparity between Oldham and professors. If approved by the board of trustees in March, the increase would bring Oldham’s salary to slightly more than $350,000. “He does a lot for the university so I know he’s earned it,” Rachel Johnson, SGA’s Residence Hall Association representative, said. “He always supports us in whatever we decide and he’s just really looking for the good of the university. He pushes us to keep moving forward.” Members of the executive cabinet said they are pleased with his performance and support the
proposed raise, as it puts him on the same level as other university presidents. “Chairman Trudy of the board of trustees, I think she recommended the raise because it’s on par with what high level executives would get for such high level performance,” Daniel Hines, SGA’s chief of staff, said. “I don’t necessarily have an issue with it, but I can see why others, for a number of reasons, may.” Aaron Lay, SGA’s secretary of state, emphasized the importance of paying Oldham a competitive salary because of all he has done for Tech. “I feel like this bonus and raise get him on an equal playing field with other university presidents. That’s very much the salary range that others get paid,” he said. “His goals and plans are fantastic. I know one of his big things is increas-
ing our research dollarfrom $20 million to $40 million in the next five years, which is a big feat. I think this is the administration that would get that done.” Rachel Baker, SGA’s executive legislative advisor, expressed her concern about the salary difference between Tech’s professors and Oldham. “The biggest thing is pay disparity. If we have a finite pool, then yes, we should make sure we keep him in a competitive rank because we don’t want to lose him. He’s doing a great job,” she said. “But we also need to look at maybe being able to distribute that. Administration can only get accomplished what your faculty is wanting to accomplish with you.”
Opinion
Page 2
March 6, 2020
By Hannah Webster It is a pretty big misconception that those with a plant-based diet eat rabbit food. In fact, it has never been easier to swap meat for an alternative. Even fast food chains are starting to cater to plant-based diets. Ever since Burger King came out with the Impossible Whopper, other fast food chains have followed suit. Even KFC is serving fried chicken alternatives. Plant based diets are better for your health. Cutting down on meat products can help diminish chances of heart disease as well as lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Another misconception about plantbased diets is that they lack protein. However, eating foods like beans, nuts and legumes can provide enough protein for a healthy lifestyle.
Scholarship Hours
Students on the Street Apple, Android, Other, and Why? “There are so many features on Android that Apple doesn’t have. Preinstalled programs I can uninstall or disable, and it has file pathing.” Victoria Somerby junior environmental engineering
SOMERBY
“I feel like Android and other are better for office work, and that’s where I mainly use my phone, but I’m all over the place. I have a Microsoft laptop, apple tablet, and Samsung galaxy phone.” Maya Johnson junior microbiology
JOHNSON
“I would say android because it offers more customizability. If you want a really straightforward phone, Apple works well, but if you want to do more with it you want Android.” John Clark sophomore chemical engineering
CLARK
“I have mostly apple products because it looks nicer and cleaner, and the functions it has, it’s a lot easier to use.” Huyen Dam sophomore chemistry
Tech scholarship recipients sometimes find that their prizes come with a cost: from writing “thank you” notes VALERIE HUBERT to maintaining a certain GPA, the expectations are pretty standard. However, between full-time study and bills to pay, some students find themselves in a bind with the academic service scholarship, which requires them to serve 75 hours per semester to a designated campus facility. Whether the terms of the academic service scholarship are fair is debated among students. Many students defended scholarship hours. The jobs would have to be filled by paid workers otherwise, and since the university is providing the money, they get to set the terms. Students can decide whether or not they accept the terms when they accept the scholarship. Additionally, filling the jobs with scholarship workers saves the university money, which may aid in keeping the price of tuition down. “It incentivizes college in a way that normal scholarships do not,” said Briley Johnson, a computer science major. Furthermore, facility supervisors insist on the importance of positions students fill. “Scholarship workers are critical
arship or straight pay, or creating a system for club officers to be eligible for scholarship hours. “Running a club efficiently requires a lot of effort, and that effort should be fairly compensated,” said Sam McGuire, a computer science major. Clubs on campus aid students in their academic and career goals in ways campus facilities often can’t, compelling students to go beyond what is expected in class. Officers involved in organizing and inspiring members do so out of passion or obligation and gain only résumé fodder for their hours of work. University support for club officers could give scholarship recipients more meaningful work and facilitate positive community growth.
That’s what he said ... “We are resilisant and we will get through this together. There is only one Cookeville.” Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton
BY VALERIE HUBERT
“Apple. It’s easier to have a lot of things that work together. It has faster file sharing and the best cameras.” Wesley Gaines freshman music education photo by Valerie Hubert
w
to the function of the fitness center. Their jobs benefit the fitness center and benefit the students themselves. We provide a real work experience with responsibilities, expectations and requirements just like a non-campus job would,” said Misti Ray, Daytime Supervisor of the fitness center. On the other hand, the current system has several issues that scholarship recipients have to mitigate for themselves. Student schedules tend to be packed with classes, study, clubs and work, so scholarship hours can further complicate work-life balance. “I don’t get paid by ITS until after 75 hours are completed. This means that I pretty much take one month of no pay because I cannot work extra to make up the difference.” Jacob Sweeten, computer science. As a result, students have to take second jobs and plan ahead to stretch their money at the beginning of the semester. Another issue regarding these jobs is usefulness. Student-workers report doing homework on the job because there isn’t anything else to do, and productivity drops when studying at work. The result is detrimental to student grades in exchange for no benefit toward campus facilities. A few solutions were proposed, including an increased cap on weekly and monthly hours, the option to allocate hours to schol-
Club Highlight Special: Plant Science Experiences
DAM
GAINES
Having a plant-based diet, whether it be veganism, vegetarianism, pescetarianism, or even just meatless Mondays can help the environment as well because the meat industry is one of the leading causes of climate change. Now more than ever is this an important contribution with global warming becoming more of a threat. With more and more people choosing to abandon meat each year, the choice becomes easier to make. While this diet used to be taboo and even challenging to commit to twenty years ago, this is not the case now. Just go to the local Walmart or Kroger and you will see plenty of meat and dairy alternatives on the shelves. Even in smaller rural towns it is possible to become plant based. Just making small changes to your diet can help the Earth. The future is plant based.
President Justin Caldwell and Vice President Eric Kohler at the sale. The club sold out of plants.
The Plant Science Experiences Club gives students interested in plants an opportunity to collaborate and participate in activities such as field trips and plant propagation, as well as listen to and meet guest speakers. Members founded the club to promote the development and advancement of students in plant-science careers, as well as affiliate with state green industry organizations related to horticulture and landscape management. Plants do so much for our indoor environment including reducing
stress, boosting mood, improving air quality, and boosting concentration. This makes plants something everyone should own. The club meets on the first Tuesday of the month during dead hour in Oakley Hall, room 137. Membership is $15. All students are welcome to take part in learning and caring for the plants. For more information, contact President Justin Caldwell atjccaldwell42@students.tntech.edu or the faculty adviser Dr. Airhart at dairhart@tntech.edu.
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News
March 6, 2020
Page 3
TTU greek life bands together to offer aid VANTREASE, PITMAN, PORTERFIELD, DUNSTON Reporters Greek life organizations participated in helping the community after the devastation from the tornados in Putnam County on Monday night. “As a Greek life community combined, we were able to donate 10 large boxes full of clothes and shoes to local donation drop off centers,” Baylee Draughon, president of Kappa Delta, said. “We also delivered three car loads of food, snacks, water and various drinks to our local fire departments, police and EMS.” Members of Phi Mu donated $150 worth of feminine and hygiene products to Kappa Delta for their members’ families that were affected. Members waited 6 hours to donate blood on Tuesday. Delta Gamma organized a canned food drive and donated the items to the community center. They also created a
t-shirt order where all of the proceeds will be donated to the Cookeville- Putnam County relief fund. Alpha Delta Pi raised over $500 in T-shirt sales, which they used to buy supplies for the community. “We are so thankful to be able to help our community in a time of need,” Caroline Steele, president of Alpha Delta Pi, said. Blake Horton, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s chaplain, said the fraternity sponsored a candlelight vigil for the victims Wednesday at 7 p.m. “I spent several hours with some of my fellow brothers, who were grieving over children that they knew whom had passed away,” he said. “I quickly realized that most members of the community, and Tech’s campus, may not have been directly impacted, but most likely know someone who was or someone who is in a time of mourning. We plan to allow time for prayer for the community and those who are grieving
a loss.” Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity helped clean up debris and salvage personal items from the affected families’ homes. “It was humbling to see our town and college community come together to help the families and businesses that needed it,” Jacob Sutton, president of Pi Kappa Alpha said. “We saw hundreds of Tech students and faculty helping the families in need, and it reassured me that this town can get through anything together.” Sigma Chi members helped clear roads, salvage possessions and participated in other relief efforts. “Seeing thousands of volunteers doing whatever they could to help was moving,” Hunter Vick, Sigma Chi editor said. “The pride I have for the city of Cookeville has never been matched in the 20 plus years I have lived here.”
photo by Garrett Russell
Senior Sarah Shytle carries a piece of debris.
TTU athletics give back to community PITMAN, PORTERFIELD, VANTREASE
Reporters Tech athletes and coaches could have been practicing on the field, on the court or in the weight room but instead they spent Wednesday giving back to the community. Dozens of athletes from at least five Tech teams spread throughout Putnam County this week volunteering their time and muscle to help tornado victims. “People take life for granted every day and things like this can just happen out of nowhere, Jr. Clay, a guard for the basketball team, said. “You can wake up and the roof over your house could be gone. I think that’s a big part of Cookeville. It’s a lot about community.” Other members of the basketball team helped out by providing extra hands at the Cookeville Community Center. Assistant coach Andre Bell said he was glad campus closed so students had the opportunity to help the community. “Oldham shows why he’s a great leader,” Andre Bell, assistant coach said about classes being cancelled Wednesday and Thursday. “It puts us in a position to serve and our basketball team and program is built on serving others. It takes a village.” The football team and coaching staff unloaded
Kitty Porterfield
pictured from left to right Jr. Clay, assistant coach Andre Bell, and Hunter Vick
trucks of supplies at Double Springs Church of Christ in Baxter and helped clean up debris around eight of the homes in the Prosperity Point subdivision Wednesday morning. “We were just trying to lend a hand and give back to the community who constantly support us,” defensive back Marcus McMeans said. “We just felt that our assistance could be a small token of gratitude for what the surrounding community has done for Tennessee Tech athletics and the university as a whole. Dewayne Alexander, head football coach said the
coaches strive to develop servant leadership in their players. “The Cookeville Upper Cumberland community is special and we are humbled to give back. Today was emotional, but rewarding. I am proud of our staff and team and honored to represent TTU,” he said. Coaches and players on the volleyball team dedicated their time to picking up debris around Putnam County. “The people in Cookeville are what makes this place special,” Jeannette Waldo, head volleyball coach said. “Hearing that some people are in need, means that we need to rise up and give back. Our team coming together for such a powerful cause helps unite us. Soccer coach Steve Springthorpe said team members began volunteering at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning. “Really, the three hours we worked there was mostly just picking up debris and doing whatever the homeowner needed so they could salvage anything they could,” he said. Golden Girls member Kayla Anderson said she and other dance team members distributed food and water to volunteers Wednesday. “It was honestly heartbreaking to see all of the houses crumbled to the ground. All that was left of one house was just a sofa,” she said. “It was so sad, but was also very emotional seeing everyone that came out and was willing to help.”
Safe continued from page 1 bed, his toys, his books and his stuffed animals remained covered by a layer of insulation. A favorite stuffed animal, a puppy, lay forlorn on his bed, surrounded by debris. Kitchen cabinets stood open, their contents spilled out onto the floor and counters. Yellow buttercups sat on the counter untouched next to a picture in a
frame surrounded by debris. Kellan and Watts picked the flowers for Hendrixson because they are her favorite flower. It all looked like a warzone. “I feel so helpless,” Watts said, as he stood outside surveying the damage. But he said had a plan: to get his girlfriend and her son someplace safe and warm. Family and friends came to help Hendrixson, a
junior early childhood practitioner major and Watts, a sophomore communication major. Watts’ sister, Madeline Watts, a senior art major and others volunteered to help. They said they plan to stay with Bryce Watts until they are able to move into another house provided by their rental manager, Soard Properties.
President Oldham expresses pride for 17 identified victims from Putnam County Tech community
photo by Emma Kenner
Sarah Shytle and Garrett Russell during a prayer circle. More photos on page 5.
KITTY PORTERFIELD
Reporter
In the aftermath of Tuesday morning’s tornado, Tech President Phil Oldham expressed his gratitude and pride for the work and passion demonstrated by Tech’s community members. The tornado that touched down throughout Middle Tennessee Tuesday at approximately 2 a.m. was at least an EF-3, meaning winds were moving at a speed of between 135 and 165 mph. As of Wednesday evening, 18 people in Putnam County are confirmed dead, five of whom are children under the age of 13 and one of whom still remains to be identified. “This is a very emotionally devastating thing to this community that we’re a part of,” Oldham said to the Oracle staff Wednesday. He said Tech officials are still gathering information on how many of those directly impacted by the tornado are members of the Tech community. He confirmed Tech employees Ted and Terry McWilliams are of those who experienced significant loss. “My understanding is that they’re both fine physically, but their entire house was lost. We had some faculty about a dozen or so, that have been directly impacted either through physical injury in a couple cases or significant loss of property,” he said. “There have been a couple cases of a total loss of home and everything they own. We’re trying to compile all that information.” Tech officials shut down campus
Tuesday and Wednesday to allow the community to grieve and aid in relief efforts. “As a community partner, we wanted to be able to do whatever possible to lend support and assistance and all that. We were still trying to assess if any Tech faculty or staff had been affected personally,” Oldham said. “That’s why the decision was made today to suspend operations and allow community members, specifically students, the opportunity to out and volunteer and provide assistance.” Oldham said he was proud of how many members of Tech’s community volunteered and assisted in cleanup this week. At least five sports teams, six Greek organizations and nearly all religious organizations on campus devoted their time and energy to serving the community by volunteering Wednesday morning and sponsoring food drives, donation collections, candlelight vigils and prayer circles. “The reports I’ve been hearing all day have been incredibly positive. I don’t know how to quantify it but there are hundreds, probably thousands or more out there individually and in groups volunteering in the community,” he said. “It’s a wonderful expression of support and love for this community. It shows what tech students are really all about.”
● Jessica Clark – 30s female ● Amanda Cole – 34-yearold female ● Hattie Collins – 3- to 4-year-old female ● Dawson Curtis – 6- to 7-year-old female ● Terry Curtis – 54-yearold male ● Joshua Kimberlin – male in his 30s ● Sawyer Kimberlin – 2- to 3-year-old male ● Erin Kimberlin – female in her 30s ● Todd Koehler – male in his 50s
● Sue Koehler – female in her 50s ● Patricia Lane – 67-yearold female ● Leisha Littenberry – 28-year-old female ● Harlan Marsh – 4 to 5-year-old male ● Bridgette (Ann Marie) McCormick – 12- to 13-year-old female ● Keith Selby – male ● Cathy Selby – female ● Jamie Smith – 30- to 35-year-old female ● Stephanie Fields – a female in her 30s
Most damaged areas in Putnam County • • •
Charleston Square Plunk Whitson Road Echo Valley
• • •
Prosperity Point North McBroom Chapel Double Springs Utility
News
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March 6, 2020
Rape continued from page 1 EWASYSHYN
“I would be just fine if I had reported the assault six months earlier,” Jane said. the university. Many times you’ll have a victim report a case or go over to health services, and they will specifically say that they don’t want to report it to law enforcement.” Project Coordinator for Project Awaken Jac Ewasyshyn says generally, many survivors of sexual misconduct will not report at all. “I can say that from a general way that a lot of the folks who I have met will disclose to a confidential resource that they have been victimized, will not report it officially to a university or police,” Ewasyshyn said. “If they don’t know, they can’t do anything about it.” Project Awaken is a grant program at Tennessee Tech raising awareness of sexual misconduct, stalking and domestic violence. Jane is not the only person questioning how Tech officials handled sexual assault complaints. A former student filed a federal lawsuit in 2017 against the university and student affairs officials claiming they violated her due process rights under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act. “Defendants’ indifference facilitated a sexually hostile educational environment and prevented Plaintiff from accessing resources provided by the university,” according to court documents. The student said she was raped off campus by another Tech student in 2015. Title IX regulates how college administrators handle complaints about sexual harassment, gender, discrimination and sexual misconduct. At Tech, it is Zeva Edmondson’s job to ensure compliance. Edmondson has 30 years of experience in law enforcement as an investigator in sexual assault and domestic violence cases. She became Tech’s Title IX coordinator in 2017. Federal privacy laws such as the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, and Title IX prevent Edmondson and other school officials from discussing specific cases or the students involved. Jane’s report to police set a process in motion. Tech police interviewed Jane, Joe and others, and turned that information over to Edmondson. Edmondson informed Jane about counseling resources, and notified Joe of the complaint and his rights under Title IX. Her investigation information was then forwarded to the Dean of Students Katherine Williams and then to Vice President of Student Affairs Mark Burnett, who has since retired. If Dunaway had pursued charges in Jane’s case he would have to prove the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The standard is not the same when university officials attempt to determine whether a student violated conduct codes. Until December, the dean of students and/or the school’s judicial council had to prove a violation by “clear and convincing” evidence. That standard requires the evidence be substantially more probable than not. Tech’s Board of Trustees changed
Burnett
photo from tntech.edu
Pictured is the Bryan Fine Arts building where Jane pepper sprayed Joe leading to a formal complaint.
that standard to “preponderance of evidence” in a unanimous decision in December. The preponderance standard only requires the burden of proof be greater than 50%. Dean Williams told trustees she recommended the change to be consistent with requirements under Title IX and the standard adopted by other Tennessee universities. It is unclear whether the new standard would have affected the outcome in Jane’s case.
INVOLVING THE LAW Jane was informed about the verdic of her case via an email. “They couldn’t even look my daughter in the eyes to tell her,” Jane’s mother said. Police said they consulted with county prosecutors who determined there was not enough evidence to pursue the case, according to a police report. An officer explained the situation to Jane, who later admitted she would have had more evidence if she had reported the incident earlier. “It wasn’t the greatest investigation, but at the same time I understand this stuff is nearly impossible to prove,” Jane said. A rape kit, bed sheets or even text messages from the accused are examples of evidence that could possibly prove an alleged rape, Dunaway said. “If there is no physical evidence you have to be honest with the victim and say, ‘You know, it’s a 50/50 chance we get a conviction,” the prosecutor said. Jane said she felt angry, afraid and alone when she ran into Joe in the Bryan Fine Arts Building. She said she saw him every day because they had the same major and classes. “He really did take a part of me, he took away my voice,” Jane said. Jane said she went to Edmondson for a no-contact order in hopes of avoiding seeing Joe on campus. On Aug. 23, Edmondson issued such an order, limiting interactions that could be perceived as intimidating or harassing. Even though the order said “violation of this order will likely result in disciplinary consequences,” Jane said she felt as if there were no actions taken to prevent interaction with Joe. When she contacted Edmondson about whether she would like to stay informed over what accommodations were being made for her, Edmondson replied, “no.” The student said she repeatedly voiced her concerns to officials about Joe violating the order, but no directives were being enforced. “She told me it was going to go into effect, and it was going to keep me safe,” Jane said. Williams told Jane in an email, “The provisions of the no-contact order are intended to serve as a behavioral guide for both parties to minimize contact.” Then she took matters into her own hands. On Oct. 17 in the Bryan Fine Arts
lobby, Jane said she saw Joe coming toward her. She said she took out her pepper spray, ordered him to stop and then sprayed him. A security camera recorded Jane’s actions, but Joe was out of the camera’s view and could not be seen, according to a police report. Joe, who declined an interview request, filed a criminal complaint against Jane with the Cookeville Police Department. Joe told police he was attempting to catch up with a friend and was walking from the hallway into the lounge when he was sprayed, according to a police report. Campus police reports say that during interviews with officers, Joe seemed nervous, but also played recordings on his phone with Jane in them, including one where she makes a “short giggle,” and tells Joe that she is sorry and was trying to retaliate. Jane said she was cornered and coerced by Joe into making recordings that said he was innocent. Tech officials initially banned Jane from the building. The ban prevented her from attending class and her grades suffered even though she attempted to complete her assignments via email, she said. Her inability to convince school officials she had been defending herself made her feel helpless, she said. “It’s disheartening, and it doesn’t help the feeling of victimization,” she said. The incident lead to formal assault complaint against her for violating the student code of conduct. The process took two weeks, and on Nov. 11, Williams informed Jane via email that she was suspended for two years. The assault charge against Jane was ultimately dropped in Putnam County General Sessions Court. Jane hopes her story will encourage other victims to report incidents to authorities sooner and that university officials will consider improving their protocol for better communication with victims. Now, Jane is not allowed on campus without permission. She only has one regret. “I would be just fine if I had reported the assault six months earlier,” she said.
PROJECT AWAKEN On Tech campus, the grant program Project Awaken aims at raising awareness of the dangers of sexual assault, stalking and dating/domestic violence. “Most of what we’re doing is prevention education,” Project Coordinator Jac Ewasyshyn said. “Going into classrooms (showing) what these things are, what they look like and how to support a friend who’s gone through it. On the flip side, we can provide confidential support and resources since we’re grant funded.” Project Awaken was supported by a grant through the Office of Violence Against Women in the U.S. Department of Justice. That grant is set to expire during 2020, but Ewasyshyn said they
“I’ve never seen a town where it doesn’t happen and Tech is no exception to that. It’s happening here and it’s happening everywhere,” Ewasyshyn said.
have an option to extend for another year. Ewasyshyn said some of other responsibilities for the program is working with campus and local law enforcement on how to interview victims, as well as looking at internal policies and how survivors can navigate them. For sexual assault awareness, Project Awaken officials are working with the Women’s Center on what people have experienced in the community and raise awareness on victim blaming that can occur. As far as how prevalent sexual misconduct is on Tech campus is a question that doesn’t necessarily have a clear answer. “I’ve never seen a town where it doesn’t happen and Tech is no exception to that. It’s happening here and it’s happening everywhere,” Ewasyshyn said. “Even if it just happens to one person, that’s too many. It’s hard to get any statistics. We’re actually in the process of doing other (campus climate survey) right now.” The most recent campus climate survey in 2014 found that roughly 25 percent of students reported experiencing attempted or completed rape. The data from this survey will be compiled throughout the course of the Spring 2020 survey and reviewed over the summer. “The 2014 rate of about 25 percent is really consistent with other campuses. Most studies you’ll find will say one in four or one in five college women will experience sexual assault while they’re on campus,” Ewasyshyn said. “It’s alarming. Its happening everywhere and we’re no exception.” Public universities are required to file an annual safety report under the federal Clery Act, a consumer protection law providing transparency about campus crime policy and statistics. The reports released each fall are based upon the previous year’s statistics. Since 2016, there have been six reported rapes on campus at Tennessee Tech, four in campus housing. In 2018, two rapes on campus were reported, one in student housing. Ewasyshyn said part of the reason the university went after the grant that started Project Awaken was to address that issue on campus. Outside of telling a friend first, most students prefer to start with the use of the confidential resources that are available, which Tech offers through Project Awaken, the Counseling Center and Health Services. As Project Awaken continues its work on campus, Ewasyshyn said continued education and prevention are necessary to remove any social issues that persist among those who may not understand the issues at hand. “It’s called social norming. What should be expected of every person,” Ewasyshyn said. “The last thing that we’re going to do with Awaken, and I hope to see Awaken get (extended) because this is not something that we’re going to solve in one grant, is supporting survivors. What we know is that if survivors feel supported, then those outcomes if they choose to report it tend to go a lot better.” “So my hope would be that every survivor would get to work with a resource, whether that is the counseling center, Project Awaken, Genesis (House) or whatever, I would hope that every survivor gets someone that has been trained in crisis intervention, sexual assault and trauma, to work with them so that they can provide … a response on these are your options and I can go with you.” For more information on resources available on Tech campus, visit https:// www.tntech.edu/awaken.
Impact of stress on college relationships JAMIE SAUVE
Reporter People say college is the best part of your life but they frequently leave out all the stress that comes with the experience. Stress doesn’t only affect you and the way you are feeling. It can also affect the people you surround yourself with. Stressors experienced outside a relationship by one or both partners can cause distress in the relationship. With Tech students, a lot of our stressors come from our day-to-day life of being a college student. “When you are with someone and you spend a lot of time with them, you start to pick up on their unspoken language,” sophomore Camden Burgess said. “When you see someone you’re that close with start to get stressed, it starts to stress you out because you just want to help them.” Burgess said that school is one of his biggest stressors, but dealing with finances, distance and
making time for one another when he barely has any time to give are at the top of his list as well. Trying to understand the type of stress you are having with these experiences like Burgess did helps you overcome them without feeling more stressed or drained. Research has shown that women show more physical symptoms associated with stress and with men, symptoms may be more difficult to read. When staying in tune with your partner, it is easier to discover functional ways of coping with stress. This can restore emotional closeness, renew intimacy and revive romance. “What works best for me and my boyfriend is when we properly communicate our stressors then we have the ability to work through them together,” student Kortney Robbins, who has been in a threeyear relationship, said. Robbins said that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask your significant other to understand that you each need to do things for yourself so that when it
comes to your relationships, you have the strength and energy to put in the effort to maintain your relationship. Other helpful tips to balance a relationship in college are: • Don’t start dating just because your peers are • Communicate about where your time needs to be devoted • Don’t be afraid to say “no” to social engagements. If you are experiencing stress throughout college and have a method to help cope with stress make sure you are choosing healthy options. Some stress management strategies will end up making you feel worse than you started. “Often times when my partner is stressed out, it’s harder for me to be relaxed and vice versa,” Tyrus Cowan said. “When you’re consistently in contact with someone throughout the day, it makes sense that your emotions would coincide with theirs.”
Examples of unhealthy stress management strategies are over and under eating, ignoring the stressors, procrastinating with social media or television and smoking or drinking compulsively. Instead, you should be turning to spend time with loved ones, confronting the stressors, seeking professional help and taking a break. By addressing your stress in a healthy way, you are doing all that you can make to make the most of your college education. If you or your partner needs professional help or would like more information, contact Tech’s counseling center.
Photo Page
March 6, 2020
COOKEVILLE STR NG
Page 5
photo by Jorja Gust
photo by Laura Navarro-Moreno
Top: A Bible found amongst debris on Wednesday afternoon offers hope to the community. Left: Early Wednesday afternoon, Angie Antram is among many volunteers particapting in relief efforts that took place in Charelston Square.
photo by Laura Navarro-Moreno
From left to right, football players Seth Carlisle, Tavin Kilpatrick, Bailey Fisher, and Schaerfer Almoyan carry debris from the backyard of a home to a drop off pile close by on Prosperity Drive.
photo by Victory Murray
Top: The top of a house lies completely detahced and rests on a tree. Right: Two community members make their way through debris as volunteers in the background work to sort through the rubble of a damaged house. photo by Laura Navarro-Moreno
photo by Emma Kenner
photo by Laura Navarro-Moreno
Top: Thousands of community members wait in line in the former Hobby Lobby parking lot to be shutted into volunteer areas on Wednesday morning. Left: Tennessee Tech senior Payton Womack volunteers at the Cookeville Community Center on Wednesday morning by bagging and moving dontated supplies.
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News
March 6, 2020
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