The Shield March 17, 2016

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THE

SHIELD

T h u r s d a y, m A R C H 1 7 , 2 0 1 6 | U s i s h i e l d . c o m | v o l . 4 6 i s s u e 2 5

by Gabi Wy

Fourth sex offense reported than when the report was filed. The log states the rape took place between 1111:59 p.m., Oct. 24, 2015, at a “non-campus” location. The log also stated the case was referred to a law enforcement agency. Central Dispatch was not called to the university at

news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi A forcible rape was reported in the university crime log March 2. This is the fourth rape reported in four months. The incident occurred more than five months prior

in Newman Hall. The second rape, reported Dec. 2., allegedly occurred in the campus apartments Nov. 23. The third rape was reported this semester to have occurred Feb. 5, in campus housing. The sheriff’s office did not respond to The Shield’s

the time of the report. Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding told The Shield he would “get back” to the publication with more information, then asked for a specific address. The university crime log did not provide one. The first rape report was filed Nov. 18, as occurring

records request concerning the third rape. The response time exceeds the seven-day legal maximum amount of time the office should respond. Assistant Dean of Students Laurie Berry said there are no limitations in reporting rapes on campus. “It can be something that

happened yesterday, today or several years out,” she said at the dean of students’ office’s screening of “The Hunting Ground,” a college sexual assault documentary. “Any kind of report that comes in, in that manner,” Berry said, “we will follow up and investigate.”

Politicians to discuss political civility by Nick Leighty ndleighty@eagles.usi.edu To completely understand civility in politics, one must understand the interactions of political figures. President Linda Bennett described the House of Representatives as a majoritarian body where minority political parties are not included in actions and the Senate is a deliberative body, where one Senator can halt the workings. Former Senator Richard Lugar and former Congressman Lee Hamilton stand out in both the Senate and Congress by working to better the nation using civility to work with opposing parties. Lugar and Hamilton will have a moderated discussion on the topic of civility in politics. The discussion will take place at 6:30 p.m March 23, in Carter Hall. Bennett will moderate the event with guests having the opportunity to ask questions to Lugar and Hamilton. The Shield reached out to Senator Lugar twice and Congressman Hamilton five times for interview on March 14 and 15 without response. When passing judgements or making decisions, both Hamilton and Lugar reach out to the other side of the political spectrum, Bennett said. “I think we have in our modern society become very focused on rights, but less focused on obligations,” Bennett said. “The willingness to engage in a conversation and to listen…the willingness to take the time to learn more about your own position and to learn about the other person’s position.”

Civility , PAGE 3

Illustration by philip kuhns | The Shield

Students discuss pros, cons of political correctness by gabi wy news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi President Linda Bennett announced at the beginning of the semester that the university will focus on the concept of “civility.” Bennett said this focus promotes healthy discussion despite critical differences in opinion, beliefs and culture. This week, The Shield explored the idea of political correctness on campus and asked students whether that conflicts with the concept of free speech. Evan Phillips has to watch his steps wherever he goes. As a member of the LGBTQ community, he said he’s often been the recipient of slurs for his identity. “(The university environment) is mostly decent, but there are some places or times that are not safe for me to dress appropriately,” the sophomore political science major said.

Phillips said the insults are purely a result of ignorance. “I used to get really angry, but that would result nowhere,” he said. “Now I try to have a civil conversation with people.” Merriam-Webster defines “politically correct” as “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.” Political correctness is important, he said, but free speech prevails. “Even though it’s rude to talk a certain way, you have a choice,” he said. “We can’t stop everyone from expressing themselves.” According to the Pew Research Center in November 2015, 40 percent of millennials believe it is OK to limit speech if it offends minority groups. The percentage of millennials contrasts from the 27 percent of Generation X (people born from the early 1960s to 1980s), 24 percent of Boomers (born right after World War II) and 12 percent of Silents (born between mid-1920s to early 1940s) who sup-

port speech limitation. “I don’t think our generation is too sensitive,” Phillips said. “We’re just more aware of reality.” Dampering down diversity Freshman Andrew Palombit doesn’t think political correctness is a problem at USI. “I haven’t heard anybody insult people,” said Palombit, who is also a political science major. Palombit said worrying about offending others shouldn’t inhibit someone from saying how they feel. “The concept of political correctness dampers down the substance of what we’re saying,” he said. “It can conceal the problems.” Palombit said there should be no limitations on free speech as long as no one is seriously threatened. “As soon as you add restrictions, you limit the debate people can have to defend their ideas,” he said. “You have the right to offer rebuttals.”

Political correctness, PAGE 3

President to serve answers for annual breakfast by nick leighty ndleighty@eagles.usi.edu Students fill the room from corner to corner as the smell of eggs, bacon, pancakes and sausage pervade the air. Some students have notepads scribbled with questions about the university. They eat their breakfast as President Linda Bennett walks around the room, taking questions and addressing issues they may have. This scene is typical for Breakfast with the President, an annual event scheduled to take place March 30. Students eat free when they pick up their tickets at Alumni and Volunteer Services in University Center West. Bennett offers this opportunity for students and organizations to come and ask her questions regarding anything and everything they might want to know. “It really is (Bennett) giving up her time to answer some of these questions one on one,” said Caylin Blockley, assistant director of Alumni and Volunteer Services. The core of the event is the Q&A portion. Blockley

SGA impeaches representative by Gabi Wy news@usishield.com @ShieldsterGabi

Photo by The Shield

USI alumnus Luke Williams asks President Linda Bennett about her take on advertisements on campus at last year’s Breakfast with the President in Carter Hall.

said it is something Bennett wanted to keep. She wants to answer as many questions as possible. The main goal of the Student Alumni Association is to get as many students to the event as possible. Because it is such a big event, they have looked at the time placement and length of the event to accommodate more students. Blockley said last year went well and the laid-back atmosphere was the key. “She’s very good at making everyone feel comfort-

able,” Blockley said. He also believes this event is a key part in moving the university forward and making it better. Student Alumni Association President Alex Martens said there has been a slight increase in student alumni event participation each year, but attendance is still not where they would like it to be. One example of attracting more participants is adding more sponsors to the “Light up the Quad” event they hold each year.

Breakfast, PAGE 5

The Student Government Association impeached Aaron Gottman, former Administrative Vice President for University Affairs, during a committee meeting Tuesday. After four years of involvement with SGA, the senior business administration major was charged with neglect of duty, absenteeism, disobedience of instructions, disobedience of bylaws and standing rules and persistent violation. Gottman is currently in the process of appealing his impeachment to the Dean of Students’ Office. The next step for him would be presenting his case to a University Appeals Committee, which currently does not exist. Vice President Liz Downard said SGA impeached Gottman because he continuously did not complete office hours. She said all five charges boiled down to that. “We attempt to cover all the bases in case one charge

doesn’t stick,” Downard said. She said SGA is trying to figure out how to assemble the committee needed for a formal impeachment appeals process. Gottman is one of three SGA members to be brought up for impeachment, Downard said. Former representative Tanner Milazzo resigned before he could be formally impeached, and former representative Roger Moore has not been in attendance at meetings recently. “(Milazzo) resigned in order to save his ability to be in SGA next year,” Downard said. “Once you’ve been impeached, you can’t serve.” Gottman said a hectic schedule kept him from completing office hours. “A person can be so busy that you can’t always remember you have to do something else,” he said. “Mine happens to be office hours.” He said office hours have been low on his list of priorities.“It seems rather minuscule,” Gottman said. “It’s silly to be so stringent. If you look through the by-

laws, there could be a lot more people out of the organization.” He said even though he’s impeached, other students still ask him for information pertaining to SGA. “I’ve done my job in an effective manner,” Gottman said. “One thing slipped, but it hasn’t affected how I’ve worked.” He said even though he’s been involved in other organizations like Activities Planning Board, his role in SGA was how he was really able to impact campus. “I’ve messed up,” Gottman said, “but I want to continue working and do what I love. I want to help the university before I leave.” Gottman requested The Shield to clarify the article to say that he did complete his office hours every week, and his impeachment is only because he did not complete the forms to say he did. He said the charges brought up against him were not “filling out an office hour sheet.” President Alexa Bueltel confirmed that all five charges stated earlier were correct.


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