Take Back the Night! Thurs. at 7 p.m.

Take Back the Night is an annual march for survivors of sexual violence that began in the 1970s. Today at Wesleyan we carry on this work through our own march. The march will include two speak out circles and a candle lighting ceremony and will be followed by debriefing session in Usdan 110. We invite you to give survivors a voice and to show as a community that we will not tolerate sexual violence on our campus.Thank you.

Where: Olin Steps
When: Thursday, April 7th, 7 P.M.

From the Olin Steps, we will be marching to the CFA Courtyard and then to Andrus Field where survivors can share their stories. Please feel free to join us late. We hope we can count on you to join us for this important event!

Winter Break Closing Info

This is a REMINDER to all students regarding the winter break. 

Please remember that University Housing closes at 12:00 noon on Sunday, December 19, 2010.  All housing will re-open at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2011. Take any items of value with you when you leave.  Experience has shown that all residential areas are susceptible to burglaries during break periods. Upon leaving, please make sure that:

  • All windows and doors are closed and locked
  • Blinds and window treatments are closed
  • Garbage is removed from the room
  • Holiday decorations are removed and disposed of properly
  • Heat is turned down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit (NOT off)
  • Room door closed and locked

Take any belongings you will need, university personnel will not let you into your unit once it is closed.

Only students who reside in wood frame houses may remain in their unit during the break.  However if you live in a wood frame house, you will need to register with the Office of Residential Life by Saturday, December 18, 2010 to let us know you plan to be here during the break.  http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/Forms/woodframe_house_info.htm.

Unless you have already been pre-approved to return to campus early, you cannot access your housing prior to Monday, January 17, 2011.  Many of our residential units will be alarmed throughout the break period.  If tripped, the situation will be treated as a burglary in progress and both Public Safety and the Middletown Police will respond to the scene.

If you are not returning to your current room next semester, you must move out no later than Sunday, December 19, 2010 at noon.   Please remove all of your belongings and turn in your key to the Office of Residential Life by that time.

For storage information, please go to: http://www.wesleyan.edu/pplant/studentstorage.html.

If you are not returning to campus next semester, you must take all of your belongings with you.  There is no long-term storage available; the cleaning staff will dispose of any belongings left behind by students on leave or studying abroad.  If you are studying abroad, you can not leave belongings with friends to store during the summer.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the Office of Residential Life at x-3550 or email us at reslife@wesleyan.edu.

 Thank you for your cooperation.  Have a safe and happy break.

ResLife, Safety & Security over Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break

As you prepare for the Thanksgiving Holiday, remember to LOCK ALL DOORS AND WINDOWS whether you will be remaining on campus or leaving for the break!  Also, please consider taking home your bikes and other belongings that you will not need through the winter. If you are staying on campus over the break period, remember to walk in well lit areas after dark, preferably in groups, and report suspicious people to Public Safety immediately at 860-685-3333 or x-3333 from a campus phone line.  Although the RIDE program will not be operating Thursday through Saturday, Public Safety will provide escorts for individuals upon request.  Public Safety’s general phone number is 860-685-2345.

As you finalize your travel arrangements for the winter break, remember residential units will close for the fall semester at 12:00 (noon) on Sunday, December 19, 2010.  All residential units, with the exception of the wood frame houses, will close at this time.  Students can return to campus at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 17, 2011.

There will be a limited number of employment opportunities for students looking for work on campus during winter break.  Students wishing to do so must request housing with Residential Life by Wednesday, December 1, 2010.   Requests should be made through the Winter Break web site at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/ugrad_housing/winter_closing.html

Please note:  Housing is not guaranteed during the winter break period, students who are granted permission to live in their units during the break will be notified by December 10, 2010. 

Thank you, The Office of Residential Life

“The Person You Think You Know: Signs and Solutions of Campus Violence” 4/27 6 p.m.

Almost half of college students have experienced abuse in a relationship, according to a 2008 study. Abuse can range from cyber- stalking to beatings and rape.

On April 27, Wesleyan University, The Hartford Courant and FOX CT will present a Key Issues Forum titled “The Person You Think You Know: Signs and Solutions of Campus Violence” at 6 p.m. in Beckham Hall. The forum will feature experts who will discuss relationship violence on campuses, including how to recognize danger signs and where to get help.

The panelists are:
Claire Potter, professor of American studies, professor of history, whose research interest includes the study of violence against women.

Jaclyn Friedman ‘93, who is a performer and co-editor of “Yes Means Yes! Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape.”

Connie J. Kirkland, director of sexual assault services at George Mason University in Virginia and a national expert on campus stalking.

Janet Peckinpaugh, a 30-year broadcast journalist with her own media marketing firm who has been a victim of stalking and domestic violence.

Laurie Perez, reporter, FOX CT will moderate the event.

 “Violence  – stalking, intimate partner violence, sexual assault and hazing –among young people is a problem in the United States, and to that extent, we have to assume that it is a campus problem to some degree,” Potter says. “ In addition, according to the Department of Justice, women in particular are most likely to be the object of violence between the ages of 16 and 24; hence, you might even argue that we on college campuses are at the epicenter of something we could affect and intervene in.  What seems to me most relevant, however, is that administrators and faculty always want to be in the position of anticipating challenges proactively, rather than responding to incidents of violence on campus and assessing, after the fact, what we might have done to help someone who has already been harmed.”

The event is co-sponsored by the Hartford Courant and FOX CT, and presented in partnership with Wesleyan University. It is free and open to the public. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to register by e-mail at corpaffairs@courant.com or by calling 860-241-3614.

The Census 2010: Collecting Forms in Usdan

This is a reminder that the U.S. Census Bureau will be in Usdan Wednesday and Thursday to collect your completed census forms.  They will be at the table at the foot of the main stairs between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.  You will receive your form in your Wesleyan mailbox in Usdan.  We encourage you to participate in this nationwide effort.

Please note that the Census Bureau is not approaching students individually at their residences at this time.  Should you see anyone posing as a Census representative other than in Usdan, you should contact Public Safety immediately.  Thank you.

Sincerely, Fran Koerting, Director of Residential Life

Over Spring Break…

Although residential units are open during Spring Break, there will not be many people around.  If you will be on campus, follow appropriate safety protocol.  Please report emergencies and suspicious activities to Public Safety at 860-685-3333.

 If you will be leaving campus for Spring Break, please do the following:

  • electric plugUnplug electrical outlets
  • Close blind/window treatments
  • Take home aquarium pets
  • Lock windows and doors
  • Take home valuables
  • Empty trash
  • Turn off lights and alarms

Have a restful break!   Residential Life

Take Back the Night — Wednesday

Please come to the steps of Olin Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. for the annual Take Back the Night march, rescheduled from last week.  

Show your support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Listen to their stories. Everyone’s presence is important.

Take a stand and break the silence because everyone deserves to be safe.

Take Back the Night

We will begin at Olin and march around campus. We will form speak-out circles in which survivors can share their stories (talk, read poems, sing, cry, yell, or request a moment of silence) in a supportive environment. There will be a candlelight vigil to end the march followed by debriefing sessions in Usdan led by counselors from the Women and Families Center.

 

Take Back the Night — Thursday

Take Back the Night

Please come to the steps of Olin this Thursday, October 15 at 7 p.m. for the annual Take Back the Night march.  

Show your support for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. Listen to their stories. Everyone’s presence is important.

Take a stand and break the silence because everyone deserves to be safe.

Take Back the Night

We will begin at Olin and march around campus. We will form speak-out circles in which survivors can share their stories (talk, read poems, sing, cry, yell, or request a moment of silence) in a supportive environment. There will be a candlelight vigil to end the march followed by debriefing sessions in Usdan led by counselors from the Women and Families Center.

 

 

Public Safety Education & Collaboration

Campus life brings a sense of independence for most students.  This includes class schedules, social events, residential  life, student clubs and organizations, and jobs.  Amid these many changes, however, students sometimes forget about personal safety.  Campuses appear protected because students are surrounded by their peers and relatively insulated from the surrounding community.  It is extremely important, however, to remain aware of your surroundings. 

thumbnailCAYZIHMSCampus safety is most successful when there is collaboration within the community among faculty, staff, administration, students, parents and community groups.  Knowledge about campus crime and safety empowers how you prevent or react to them.  In this ever changing and challenging world, it is important that we educate ourselves about safety on campus. 

The Office of Public Safety has been working with other departments to bring programs to the residence halls. There is a strong relationship with the Office of Residential Life.  In collaboration with WesWell , we have held Intoxication Panels to educate students about alcohol issues on campus.  We are currently working with the Deans’ Office on some alternative programming (look for further information on our upcoming “3 on 3” basketball tournament).  Stop by our table any Tuesday evening at Usdan between 6 and 8 p.m. for updates on current issues on campus.  We are aiming to raise awareness about crime on campus by providing you with essential information about crime response and prevention.

Lt. Paul Verrillo, Wesleyan Public Safety