The English Department Meeting Was Held Tuesday, November 13, 2001, at 3:00 in 11 Leonard
The English Department meeting was held Wednesday, November 5, 2008, from 12:15pm-1:10pm in 218Leonard.
Present: Gian Pagnucci, Lynne Alvine, Patrick Bizzaro, Resa Bizzaro, Laurel Black, Jim Cahalan, Carolyn Camp, Wendy Carse, Gay Chow, Susan Comfort, Karen Dandurand, Sharon Deckert, Reena Dube, Ron Emerick, Matt Ferrence, Jeannine Fontaine, Sue Johnson, Jo-Anne Kerr, Barbara Kraszewski, Chris Kuipers, Melissa Lingle-Martin, John Marsden, Lea Masiello, Cate McClenahan, Stacy Miller, Jean Nienkamp, Linda Norris, Gloria Park, Heather Powers, Mike Sell, Lisya Seloni, Lynn Shelly, Nan Sitler, Tom Slater, Rosalee Stilwell, Dan Tannacito, Elaine Ware, Veronica Watson, Sue Welsh, Mike T. Williamson, Cheryl Wilson, Lingyan Yang
Excused: Shimberlee Jirón-King, Ben Rafoth
The meeting was called to order by Gian. He said some faculty safety incidentshave occurred recently – harassment, threatening emails, and signs. Safe Zone signs have been removed and anti-Semitic signs hung or sent. Terry Appolonia, Dean of Students and chair of the Crisis Assessment Response Team, was present to address these issues. Also attending were Laura DelBrugge, CHSS Assistant Dean; Kim Weiner, Counseling Center; and Malinda Cowles, Wellness Center assault/violence advocacy. Terry said we should all support each other, and Campus Police should be involved in these issues.
Gian brought up the fact that $100,000 was spent putting in the emergency response system, and everyone should be signed up for it.
Terry said that he was appointed to his current position in 2006 whenadministration decided to experiment with going back to having a Dean of Students. The Crisis Assessment Response Team was begun after the Virginia Tech incident, to pull together a group of people to dealwith crisis issues. The first model had 12 people. Now the team has grown to 17 members so that all colleges and areas of campus are involved. He distributed a two-page description of the model, which includes six A-Deans and meets bi-weekly to discuss campus and environmental issues.
The question came up as to how incidents were handled. Malinda said the action taken depends on exactly what has happened or is happening. In some cases they leave as much control as possible with the person who is being harassed. It depends on the level of the incident. The campus police and other IUP groups only have control of what happens on campus. If there is a criminal offense, it is processed through campus or borough police who make the complaint and take it tothe magistrate. Usually, the victim has no contact with the accused. You should document any incident, keep a log, especially if repeated.
John Marsden brought up the fact that the victim is not informed of what has happened with their case. Malinda said that internal judicialcomplaintsare brought forward by police to have a hearing. If the accusedreceives a “no contact” order, then the victim is told. If it becomes a criminal case, there are advocacy services available. Someone will go to the police with the victim.
Terry stated that an IUP judiciary hearing is part of a student’s educational record; and, therefore, cannot be disclosed because of FERPA. Therefore, only information which the victim needs to know would be disclosed.
Lingyan said that in a previous semester she had a disruptive student. After other students in her class complained, she reported it to the chair. It was taken to Campus Police, and action was taken immediately. The student was removed from her class, and a police officer was sent to her classroom to make sure the disruptive student didn’t return.
Terry said that often the first intervention is the faculty member, but that campus police should be called if necessary. The student should be asked to stop and/or leave. The next response is campus police. Intervene as you find it necessary.
Mike M. Williamson said that someone being on the fringe needs to be defined. The student needs to be told before having to go to campus police that they are on the fringe. The definition needs to come from the Dean of Students.
Terry said there needs to be a decision made on whether actions or words by a student are actually a threat to someone. He would also like to work with Academic Affairs about what is disruptive classroom behavior.
Kim stated that predetermining violence is very difficult. The person might have no history of violence. An actual threat is something very direct. A racist or sexist comment may be considered free speech. Disturbing behavior could be by someone normal or someone mentally disturbed. Nothing can be done about something that is disturbing, only if it is a threat.
A colleague shared a situation about her life being threatened by a weapon. She is very aware of potential danger. She said that Terry, John Marsden, and Gian were her advocates. She chose going through the IUP judicial system rather than filing a criminal case off campus, because she would rather have seen the student expelled from college rather than facing jail time. However, the judicial system decided he could remain in school because he is doing an internship this semester in DC.
Once again, Terry answered the question of why the Campus Police records of a student weren’t public knowledge. It is because they are part of their educational record. Malinda stated that their criminal record is public knowledge.
Heather asked what to do about someone with violent fantasies. Terry said that they should be reported to his committee. Malinda said that is important to recognize that these can be dangerous situations. Some may become violent.
Kim said that any observable behavior or conversations may be taken to Terry.
Tom Slater asked if the student’s behavior wouldn’t be breaking the Student Code of Conduct.
Malinda explained that the process is that the complaint goes to the office of student conduct wherethere is a hearing before the judicial board with all participants present, including witnesses.
Susan Comfort stated that the process needs reevaluating. If someone can be threatened physically and still remain a student, there is something wrong with the system.
Malinda said if you feel threatened, go to campus police, talk with the Counseling Center. Laura reminded us that she and Al Novels should be notified about these situations as well.
Gian ended the discussion on this matter, because it was getting late and another matter had to be brought up. The visitors left the meeting.
On behalf of the Social Committee, Gian presented Elaine Ware with a small gift because of her recent illness.
Wendy distributed a sheet with the Pre-Law Track curriculum revisions on it. Motion by Wendy, seconded by Heather Powers, to approve what is on this one-page document and for the committee to continue working on this project. Linda Norris said that the language Persuasive Studies courses and Representation and Power courses needed changing. Wendy said that language was already on the agenda to be changed. Motion carried unanimously. If anyone wishes to be a pre-law advisor, please contact someone on the committee.
Gian announced that Dr. Laurie Cannady will be on campus Monday, November 10. Stop to congratulate her on this important accomplishment for herself and the English Department or send an email to Veronica for her to pass on to Laurie.
Everything else on today’s agenda will be carried over to the next meeting on Monday, December 1.
Meeting adjourned at 1:10 pm.
Submitted by Esther Beers