Washburn University Volume 143, Issue 10
News
Features
November 2, 2016
Sports
washburnreview.org
New Content Online Daily
Homecoming Parade shows campus spirit S e m i n a r on sexual harassment
Brittany Wright
WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo by Jackson Hermann
Kicker: Students from Phi Mu Alpha, Delta Gamma and Sigma Phi Epsilon celebrating university pride. The parade preceded the Homecoming football game.
Jackson Hermann
WASHBURN REVIEW
The Washburn Homecoming Parade occurred the morning of Oct. 29. The week of Oct. 24-29 was Washburn’s 2016 Homecoming week, which welcomed back the university’s alumni and helped demonstrate our Ichabod spirit. After a whole host of events, it all culminated in a parade around the university campus at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29. Many groups from both Washburn and the greater Topeka area showed up to walk, drive and pedal through the parade route, handing out candy and celebrating the day. “Oh, we always enjoy getting together with the community anytime they have a function of any kind,” said Todd Harrison, captain of the Topeka Fire De-
partment. “Whether it’s a carnival, church function or a parade, it helps us associate and keep closer with them. Not to mention it helps the kids identify with us a lot more too.” Many public servants from the Topeka area were involved at the event, as well as political candidates, high school marching bands and university faculty. While the parade was a way for Washburn to show its spirit, it also showed off civic pride in Topeka as well. “Just being able to connect with [the kids] and help them understand a little of who we are,” Harrison said. “They want us out there in the community and we enjoy it. Just getting to know the people a little bit more and getting connected with them on that level. I’d say it’s absolutely one of the better parts of the jobs. I don’t know of anyone
that doesn’t enjoy doing it.” Additionally, many student organizations and academic groups marched in the parade. Greek Life, athletics, extracurricular clubs and more walked through, spreading awareness and handing out candy to kids. “It’s really cool to be involved and you get to see all the different activities and what goes into actually having a good float and being a part of a great event,” said Reagan White, freshman nursing major and member of Alpha Phi. “It brings the community together because it’s not just Washburn students and families that come. It’s people from all around Topeka that come to the parade.” Finally, with the election so close, political candidates marched through the parade as well. Staff and volunteers from Jerry Moran’s campaign for
U.S. Senate, Vicki Schmidt’s campaign for State Senate and Becky Noice’s campaign for Shawnee County Register of Deeds were all at the parade. “This is great, especially with all the different entries in here too, seeing the community come together and support Washburn University,” said Lance Quilling, representing Vicki Schmidt’s campaign. “Just being able to do that and be part of the community here and really get to see the voters in a different way other than just the doorto-door. The community really takes care of Washburn here and this is a great example of that.”
For nearly three years, Washburn University has offered a sexual harassment seminar for new employees. A student-focused demonstration is also provided for various campus organizations, including Washburn athletes and the debate team. The seminar provides educational training for recognizing sexually inappropriate behavior and language. It also covers the steps that should be taken should an individual find him or herself being harassed on campus. Upon being hired, employees are required to attend the seminar. They must also attend a follow-up presentation on sexual harassment prevention three years following employment. The idea for the seminar originated with Pam Fostor, Washburn’s equal opportunity director. Foster felt an in-person presentation would allow for more interactive, in-depth training than the sexual harassment web course that had previously been used by the university. Foster leads each seminar, where she discusses the policies and procedures involved when complaints are made or someone is called in as a witness to a sexual harassment case. For the first forty-five minutes of each seminar, she uses vignettes to hypothesize sexual harassment scenarios. Foster also covers “bystander
Jackson Hermann, jackson. hermann@washburn.edu, is a sophomore mass media major SEMINAR: continued on page 3
THIS WEEK AT THE ICHABOD SHOP There will be a book signing on November 3rd in the Washburn A/B room from 11:30-2:00 with Fuchsia Dunlop.