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Show AggieLife Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 Page 9 Resources available to keep students safe while on campus By TESSA KARRINGTON staff writer Campus safety has been an issue since the beginning of campuses. Along with other factors, many students choose their school based on campus crime rates and safety. Utah State University Police Capt. Steve Milne said USU doesn't have a large number of stranger assaults or criminal mischief, such as destruction of property. "Theft is by far the biggest problem at Utah State, particularly thefts of opportunity," he said. "It takes two minutes of someone not paying attention". Milne said students should write down the serial number and item description of all bikes and electronic items, because that is the best way to track down stolen property. He also said it is a good idea for students to lock their doors every time they go somewhere, even for a couple of minutes. Other crimes that occur on almost any college campus are forms of sexual assault. Though there is not a large number of sexual assault cases on USU's campus, some have been reported. According to the 2009 Annual Police Report, 10 on-campus assaults were reported that year, compared to five in 2005. However, during the last academic year, 21 rapes were reported to SAAVI (Sexual Assault and AntiViolence Information). Milne said most of the time, a victim is sexually assaulted by someone they know, whether it is an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, or someone in one of their classes. According to the SAAVI website, one in four college women have experienced a rape or attempted rape, and nation-wide, one-third of college men reported they would rape a woman if they knew they would not get caught. Milne said many people choose not to report cases of sexual assault for various reasons but he encourages everyone to do so. The 2009 Annual Police Report states that assaults most commonly occur on Thursday and Sunday, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and from 4-6 p.m. According to the SAAVI website, college students are most vulnerable to rape during the first few weeks of their freshman and sophomore years. SAAVI coordinator and certified social worker Monica Heiner said students should also make sure they know who they're sleeping with. "Make sure that your sexual interactions are in a formed relationship. Keep your boundaries intact and your communication open in your relationship," Heiner said. "Students should also be careful about alcohol use, date rape drugs and should be aware of who they accept drinks from." State law says no one can give consent to anything if they're under the influence of alcohol or drugs. "Students should be aware of this law," Heiner said. She said anyone can press charges against people if they consented while under the influence. Utah State has some issues with underage drinking and illegal substance use, but the MIPs (minor in possession) and DUIs (driving under the influence) are substantially lower than the rates of other campuses, Milne said. However, in 2009, 51 percent of all arrests by campus police were alcohol related. Tanille Turner, a junior majoring in liberal arts, said: "I carry pepper spray with me all the time. When I'm walking home or to my car and it's late at night, I hold my car key in between my fingers, so I can use it if I need." If students do not wish to report a crime to USU police, they can contact the USU Counseling Center, the USU Affirmative Action The hard knock life of a columnist There are exactly 104 tiles on my ceiling. Trust me, I checked four times. ust a few There is a picture of my laughs roommate on our wall, and I swear on my life he looks just like Russell Crowe at the right angle. I found a funny group called Balloon Shop on YouTube, and I've thought of at least six different ways I could rearrange the clothes hanging in my closet. I have a deadline in an hour, and all I have written is this paragraph. I haven't eaten all day, but I won't go into the kitchen in fear I'll get caught up watching ESPNNEWS and completely forget this column exists, making for a very upset features editor. So, I choose to sit in my chair, listen to the Shins and try my hardest to think of some- EMERGENCY TOWERS ARE located across campus and are available for students in need. In 2009, 10 on-campus assaults were reported. BRECK BYINGTON photo Office, any dean's office, the vice president for Student Services, SAAVI or a member of the Housing staff. Students can learn more about crime prevention by taking classes offered by Utah State, which can be found at the public safety website. If students feel in danger, there are resources available to them. Students can call 911, or the USU police at 435-797-1939. If a student is on campus, they can locate a light post with an emergency button that goes straight to USU police dispatch. Students can also call USU police 24 hours a day for an escort to their car or apartment, as long as it is on campus. Students who are a victim of sexual assault or rape can contact SAAVI at 435-7971510 or CAPSA (Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency) at 435-753-2500. Students can also contact the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. - tessa.karrington@aggiemail. usu.edu thing funny to put on paper. An interesting phenomenon, writer's block. It's the bloody mistress of every columnist; it just won't go away - a lot like Phil Brickma, that annoying manager in "Rookie of the Year." This is the dark side of the world of a columnist. People often ask me how I do my job - what it takes to be as successful in the world of humor writing as I am. I start off by saying I wouldn't necessarily consider myself "successful." More than anything I'd view myself to be capable, salvageable or most likely pudgy. From there I take time to really analyze the overall bells and whistles of my trade. Quite honestly I've found it really comes about in three steps. Think of something funny. Write it down. Consider getting fried chicken. In the grand scheme of things that's what it all boils down to. Not exactly rocket surgery, is it? But then I have hours like these, my brain functioning at about the efficiency of an eggplant. I couldn't think of something funny to jot down if it killed me. I careen through my mind a thousand times. The only thing with any possible merit is this picture in my head of Mr. Peanut dancing to "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai on stilts, but I'm not exactly sure how to stretch that into 600 words. I jot through my day, my weekend, memories of my childhood, past "Access Hollywood" episodes, I even examine my roommate waking up in the morning. Nothing is coming to me. Once I've made my mark cornmenting on Slurpees and sandwiches at KFC I'm fresh out of hilarity-laden ammo. I make a quick trip to the kitchen for a drink of water, where one of my buddies asks me if I remember the show "Rocket Power." I laugh out loud, grab a brownie and attempt, with my friend, to do that "woogity woogity woogity" handshake Otto and Twister did on that show. Maybe now my creative juices can start flowing. While sitting lifeless again at my desk, I realize I've learned two valuable lessons. First, write ideas down and you'll never be stuck on topics to write about. Second, in the event of a fire I'm supposed to meet outside by that weird black statue thing by the library with the rest of the people who live in my building. That makes me chuckle. The concept of large-group emergency plans is quite funny. Holy crap. I just found my topic. It's clever, it's original I See JOB, page 10 Religion: Offering students refuge continuedfrom page 8 "Students have a certain amount of joy in the faith that sometimes we lose as adults," Carrie said. A Bible study group is affiliated with Risen, a non-denominational Christian group, but also coordinates with Holder. Andrew Marquette, a sophomore in aerospace engineering, facilitates the group. He said most attendees are Christian, but not necessarily Lutheran. They usually meet Wednesdays at 5 p.m., and though small, the group provides a spiritual uplift midweek, Marquette said. Currently, Marquette said he structures the group around a Bible study book by Max Lucado, but the time is also used to address the "touchy-feely questions." "I think what the study group has done, it's given me a good bonding time with other people," Marquette said. "It's a really good way not only to interact with other Christians, but also to grow in my relationship with God and meet spiritual needs. I love it." Those interested in joining should email a.marquette@aggiemail.usu.edu . St. Jerome Catholic Newman Center The St. Jerome Catholic Newman Center is located at 795 N. and 800 East. Newman Centers are located at non-Catholic universities around the world to provide Catholic ministry centers. They are named for John Henry Newman, a 19th-century Catholic convert, said Harrison Kleiner, adjunct professor of philosophy. "They are inspired by Cardinal Newman's work which encouraged a robust synthesis between the life of faith and academic study," Kleiner said. "Following that tradition, the USU Newman center strives to be a place where students can come for social, spiritual, and intellectual growth." Mass is held at the St. Jerome Chapel, where the center is housed, every Sunday at 6 p.m. The center features a social hall with Ping pong, foosball and pool. For a quiet place to Diamonds Direct from Antwerp, Belgium pray, the St. Jerome Chapel is open 24 hours a day. Either in the TSC or by the fountains on the TSC patio, the Newman Center hosts an informal "conversation table" each week, this semester on Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. Kleiner sits at this table and welcomes questions from both Catholic and non-Catholic students. LDS Institute Located just west of the TSC, the LDS Institute currently has about 6,700 students taking 230 different classes that are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. This flexible scheduling is to help students balance Institute classes with their university schedule, said director Wayne Dymock. Students can get involved with programs ranging from choirs to weekly devotionals called "Religion in Life" featuring both prominent and local church members. There are also weekly activities planned by the Institute Women Association, Institute Men Association and Married Student Association as well as Friday night activities open to all students. "We have a lot of students say this is kind of an oasis from the stresses of school, a respite. It is a valuable place where they can come and get that uplift and reassurance," Dymock said. Those who are not members of the LDS faith are also welcome, and about 40 non-members are taking classes there this semester. A class on world religions is usually offered, and is generally well-received, Dymock said. Historically, he said the Logan Institute is the oldest Institute in the LDS church and was the largest Institute program for many years. The Institute tries to work with the University as well as other religious organizations. Dymock said they have worked with the Wheaten College in Chicago as well as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles. - genevieve.draper@aggiemad.usu.edu ♦ Yellowstone National Park • CC'ei Shoshone National Foie Irtahrl) Falls Panatela 0 vi w Rock Spugs Lep., Doane Loganr-r We travel 5,031 miles in order to hand-select our diamonds. Amsterdam (Netherlands) * Brussels • qpik *(Beigiu Luxrn ern ) boa; (Luxembouri I Q Mesquite Kanab _a Page r (LlecVaci hterstein) acom* onBe nd) i aceo) rla* rSw i o niz ((m rid ) Olen'Canyon I * National_ Recreaban kelp ° Shipracl FarIN Grand Canyon National Park I °Tuba Cd.f Flog Mesa — Flagstaff 0 Winslow Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-7:00 IG -- 1:17 ' Or San Marino . :in Where Utah Gets Engaged! 141 North Main • 752-7149 www.seneedham.com Middle of the block at the sign of the clock. |