August 30, 2017
Volume 143, Issue 2 News Pages 1-3 Law dean stepping down
Opinion Page 4 Advice for new students
washburnreview.org
Features Pages 5-8 New visiting director of band
Sports pages 9-12 Softball and baseball prepare
Active bystander program gets start News
Page 3
WU Law dean stepping down in June
Infographic by Cody Dannar
Charles Rankin
Washburn Review charles.rankin@washburn.edu
As the number of sexual assaults and incidents of harassment rise on college campuses in the U.S., Washburn has begun to train its students, faculty and staff on how to help prevent such offenses. The Bringing in the Bystander program, developed at the University of New Hampshire, is an initiative brought in by Washburn to bring awareness and an end to the violence against women. Shelly Bearman, project coordinator for sexual assault education and prevention, is helping lead this program, which starts its strongest push this semester. “We currently have 59 facilitators who are able to lead the training,” Bearman said. “Six of which are students.”
The six students are comprised of two First Year Experience Peer Educators and four psychology graduate students. “It’s nice to have these grad students,” Bearman said. “Especially coming from the psychology department. They come with a lot of knowledge and have some clinical experience that can bring a lot into the program.” Starting this semester, there is a push to make sure that every student has at least basic training in being an active bystander. The program is beginning with new and incoming Washburn students. “We are going into every WU 101 class, starting the second week of school,” Bearman said. “These are just 45 minute training periods. WU 101 students that want to know more are encouraged to reach out to us and we will certainly
offer more training.” In this short 45 minute time, students are introduced to the idea of being a prosocial bystander, an individual whose behaviors intervene in ways that impact the outcome of a situation positively. The training also examines true stories, such as the Steubenville High School case in Ohio, one of the most infamous rape cases in history. It encourages students to discuss ways that bystanders can help to prevent such things from happening on and around their campus. Bob Handley, WU 101 professor and director for strategic analysis and reporting at Washburn, is glad that this training is happening in the first few weeks of class. “From everything I’ve read, talking about sexual assault early on is crucial,” Handley said. “This kind of
training is something that can be useful throughout your time in college and even into your time after you graduate.” Bearman hopes that this program can bring the Washburn community together for a common good. “This program is all really about helping students succeed,” Bearman said. “As a community, we need to look out for each other. We should have the mindset that unless the whole Washburn community is safe, none of the Washburn community is safe.” Bearman is also hoping to see every campus club and organization sign up to take part in training their members. For those interested in scheduling a time for their group, club or organization, to go through the Bringing in the Bystander training they can contact Shelly Bearman at shelly.bearman@washburn.edu.
WU Nursing shines light on new students Allie Broockerd
Washburn Review alexandria.dellinger@washburn.edu
A low hum filled White Concert Hall at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 28 as family and friends waited for new nursing students to fill the front two rows of the auditorium. Jane Carpenter, the director of the nursing program, welcomed future nurses. She spoke of the difficulties they would soon endure: stiff clinical schedules and long hours spent studying complex material. The Light the Lamp Ceremony pays homage to Florence Nightingale, an English nurse who practiced by candlelight during the Crimean War. She played a major role in the development of modern nursing. This ceremony is an opportunity for Washburn to recognize its students who were recently accepted into the nursing program, as well as establish the importance of becoming a competent nurse with high moral standards. Each student received a pin
to remind them of their obligation to patient care throughout their careers. Alexander Overbey, senior nursing major, had plenty of advice to give new students about the anxiety that comes with being a nursing student. He admitted that at the beginning of his studies he wondered if he was making the right decision, but quickly changed his mind. “The hours of studying and the late nights spent at Mabee Library, the frustration and the triumphs all began to make sense,” Overbey said. “This profession becomes who you are as a human being.” Overbey also speaks Spanish fluently and traveled with a group of college students to Costa Rica last year through the Washburn Transformational Experience program. The experience allowed students hands-on experience in helping to run a clinic that provided a diverse array of health services to the local community. Overbey said that the experience had a
After nearly 11 years of service Washburn University School of Law dean Thomas Romig announced he is stepping down at the end of the 2017-2018 school year. He will continue to stay on at WU Law as a faculty member.
Features
Page 7
New visiting band director Dr. Schwartz is the new visiting director of bands for Washburn’s music department. Driven by his passion and love for music he shares his plans for Washburn, his history of teaching, and what drives him. His desires to expand student relations within his band is one of his many goals.
Sports
Page 9
Softball and Baseball Prepare for Upcoming Season
Photo by Allie Broockerd
Lara Rivera, a lecturer in the Nursing program with a Doctorate in Nursing, speaks about the importance of providing equal care to all patients.
profound, life-changing effect on him. Although the students have only just begun their journeys through the nursing program, they have an idea of the area of specialization they are going to pursue. “I would like to be a post and pre-operation nurse,” said Sydney Webb, junior nursing major. “I think it will be very interesting and I really like patient interaction.” Mary VanderPutten, junior nursing major, has
different plans. “I want to be an emergency room or trauma nurse,” VanderPutten said. Toward the end of the ceremony, future nurses stood and recited the Nightingale Pledge. The pledge states the importance of taking your role as a health provider seriously. Lara Rivera, a lecturer with a Doctorate in Nursing, left students with a quote of encouragement. “It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it,” Rivera said.
As fall begins Washburn’s softball and baseball teams are already thinking about their next season, even if it doesn’t start until February. The coaches of both teams give their thoughts on which of their players will be stepping up as leaders of their teammates.
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