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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2016 Vol. 129 / No. 27
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSIT Y’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1888
Local figures react to sexual assault Pub II manager, Greek life coordinator and a resident assistant discuss rape prevention SPECIAL REPORT: SEXUAL ASSAULT EFFECT ON ISU MARY CULLEN News Editor | @MaryCullen7
Editor’s Note: This is the fourth and final installment of a multi-part series exploring sexual assault and how Illinois State University deals with the issue.
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s college students, nightlife plays a major role in weekly socialization and the “college experience.” Part of this ritual is feeling comfortable taking part in such activities, something that can often times be interrupted by potential sexual violation. Lucus Rokos, general manager at Pub II in Normal, states that “comfort level is a big priority at Pub.” In regards to preventing discomfort, Rokos admits that there are no specific guidelines for employees to find customers who may be in need. “Typically, we try to notice a lot of facial expressions and body language especially. I know I personally have been in that situation more than once behind the bar and had to say, ‘Alright buddy, she’s not interested, move on,’” Rokos said. “We handle it the best we can, because it can be a tricky situation where somebody can get in your face really fast.” Rokos noted that he often tells employees to make eye contact with the potential victim. From there, he said it is usually possible
to read if he or she wants help. “In general, if someone comes up and says so-and-so is making them uncomfortable, there is no set rule [on how to proceed]. Typically, we would just separate them, keep an eye on them and if it escalates, we would have to ask the offender to leave,” Rokos said. Across the world, bars have
Photo courtesy of @iizzzzzi
The Ask for Angela campaign originated in England. been taking a stand against sexual assault and violence. Through this, the NO MORE campaign was born. The NO MORE campaign is an effort to raise awareness about and combat domestic violence and sexual assault. Since its origination, it has gained widespread
attention on social media worldwide. As part of Lincolnshire, England’s #NoMore campaign, posters were hung in community bar bathrooms advising potential victims of assault or violence ways to seek help and “Ask for ‘Angela.’” The posters read, “Are you on a date that isn’t working out? Is your Tinder or PoF [Plenty of Fish] date not who they said they were on their profile? Do you feel like you’re not in a safe situation? Does it all feel a bit weird?” Instructions for those responding “yes” are to go to the bar and “ask for ‘Angela.’” “The bar staff will know you need some help getting out of your situation and will call you a taxi or help you out discretely — without too much fuss,” the posters state. Images of these posters have been strewn about social media in attempts to spread this style of thinking outside of just Lincolnshire. When asked about whether Rokos would be comfortable having Pub II display similar signs in their restrooms, he replied, “Yeah, I don’t see why not.” “Like I said, comfort is our main priority. We want our customers to stay here longer, not just feel uncomfortable and leave. Anything we can do to facilitate that, [we do],” Rokos said.
Photo Courtesy of Getty Images
College students may oftentimes feel uncomfortable participating in night life due to experiences with sexual assault. Also part of nightlife on campus are the ever-present Greek life gatherings and parties. Alex Snowden, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Illinois State University, noted that all Greek life members are required to attend a sexual assault prevention program their first semester involved in the organization. This program occurs every semester and each member attends at least once — they are invited to attend as many sessions as they wish after they complete the first program. Nick Foley, a sophomore
renewable energy major in Sigma Nu, attended the event and called it “awesome.” “It really informed me about how closely it can hit to people I know,” Foley said. “The lecture also taught me more about how men can be sexually assaulted.” Thanks to the program, Foley noted that he feels more comfortable handling a situation where a sexual assault may occur. He now feels confident in being able to accurately help the victim. As part of the program, guest speakers often present. see ASSAULT page 2
Ex officios fight for SGA voting rights after meeting STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ News Reporter | @StephanieRoddd
Almost two weeks after the Illinois State University Student Government Association denied a bill that would give ex officios voting rights, those in favor of the bill said they will keep fighting to get it passed. The bill, which would give ex officios from four RSOs votes equivalent to elected officials, was rejected when 11 of the 20 voting members voted against it. The RSOs in question are the Association of Latin American Students, the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC), the Black Student Union and Pride. The university describes ex officios as non-voting representatives to those student populations designated by federal Affirmative Action Information Classifications with race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disabled, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran classifications. Members of these respective RSOs held signs and filled the Old Main Room during the meeting, hoping to get SGA members to see voting in their favor. Though the bill was ultimately denied, ex officios are still trying to get voting powers to bring unique perspectives to the association. “Almost half of all [SGA] voting members are frat brothers, so when important bills and resolutions are being brought before SGA, Greek life has almost complete control
Ali Rasper | Vidette Photographer
RSOs were present during the SGA’s last meeting to petition for ex officios to have voting rights in regards to university decisions. The plan was ultimately defeated. on its fate,” Pride ex officio Andrew Jacobs said. “This has a huge impact on our campus community as ISU operates under a shared governance between the students, the faculty and the staff.” “Having Diversity Advocacy organizations, supported by the Dean of Students Office, get a vote would ensure SGA would listen to us and
make sure our communities are considered when major situations arise,” Jacobs added. APAC ex officio Vivian Nguyen said she was upset, though not surprised, when the bill did not pass, and believes the fallback will only be motivation for APAC to fight together as an ex officio organization for the things they want to get done.
“[APAC] would like to see what actions SGA can do when it comes to diversity, because one of the pillars of the SGA and ISU is diversity, but as far as we are concerned, I don’t see any diversity in SGA,” Nguyen said. Nguyen said one of the efforts APAC and the other ex officio organizations have is for the SGA to help them create a safe and welcoming multicultural center at ISU where they and other Diversity Advocacy organizations can meet. SGA President of Assembly Dan Heylin was opposed to the bill and brought up many points of negation during the meeting he hoped would help the senators vote against the bill. After the bill’s rejection, Heylin said he was pleased with the outcome and acknowledged both sides had good arguments, though he does not agree with the bill. “I am concerned with the lack of oversight that these ex officio organizations have over their election process,” Heylin said. “There are no clear rules, regulations or processes that they have to follow in order to ensure that the election is run fairly and justly.” Heylin contrasted the organization’s election processes with those of the SGA, which has a Student Elections Committee and Student Election Codes. The elections are run through the my.IllinoisState.edu portal to ensure they are conducted fairly. see SGA page 3