Rise For What Is RIght by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

The media is a huge influence on what people do and say every day. It is subliminally impacting us young adults through music, movies, fashion and everything in between. There really is no way to escape the pressure of being just like some celebrities. The worst part is that most of them don’t even look like how the media portrays them in the magazines and on television. Take away the airbrushes and the magic of Photoshop and they are just like all of us, an every day person. The media holds us to such high standards that quite honestly are not realistic. This is a problem especially for people in their early 20’s. We sometimes become afraid to speak our minds because we don’t want to be judged by what others think of us. The idea that if we do not act “normal” or what is thought of as normal, all eyes will be on us. College students have become afraid to raise awareness about important issues that happen on campus because of this very idea. This notion needs some rethinking.

A lot of people are afraid of the idea of standing out and being different. Although, being put under a spot light isn’t always a bad thing. If you are standing up for something that you believe in and want to make a difference, then by all means please speak your mind. I feel that the college life is the same for most people. Get up, go to class, eat, study, and hang out with friends. Most people have a routine and it is hard for them to break it. Most people just got about their days seeing and hearing things that they want to speak up about, but are too nervous to say anything. I feel that the media made society this way. They have put the idea in our heads that fitting in and confiding to the every day norm is something we should all be doing.

We need to break the norm and prove people wrong. Stand up for what is right and don’t care what other people think about you. If you see or hear something about someone being a victim of a sexual assault, don’t be afraid to get him or her help. On the other hand, if you are the victim, do not be scared to get help as well. You are not alone and you will not be judged.

The media gives people the power to believe that they can be something that they are not. A sexual assault attacker could use this power in a negative way. College is a time for learning and discovering yourself. Learn what is right and what is wrong with the media and do not let it influence you to be someone you’re not, somebody perfect, someone that is non-realistic. Just be you and you can raise awareness and stop hiding behind a digital wall. Facebook and Twitter are not going to help you when serious issues like sexual assault occur on your campus. Action needs to be made in person. So put your cellphone down, close your laptops for a few hours, and confront the reality of spreading awareness.

Stay True to Yourself by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

There are many changes that happen between senior year of high school, and going into your freshman year of college. There are more temptations that you have to control and learn from. Being a senior I know that it is extremely important your first year of college to learn right away how to be safe at school. Have common sense. If you go into your first year with your head held high, your confidence, and your guard is up then you are off to a great start. Unfortunately for girls, we cannot be too trusting of others right away. We will always have our guard up whether we want it to be there or not. We have all been hurt in the past, so that shield automatically stays up where ever we go.

However, when you’re starting off at a new school that comes in handy. I am going to sound really cliché and say this but, don’t fall into per-pressure. If you don’t want to do something, then don’t do it. It’s as simple as that! Stay true to yourself and let people like you for your true self, instead of being fake and then you might end up not having any true friends right off the bat.

Being a freshman is scary; we have all been there. Everything seems so new, big exciting, and crazy all at the same time. But as I said before you have to keep your head held high and focus on why your there in the first place which is to go to school and have an amazing time. I know when I first started college; I was not very social or involved in any groups. But as soon as I opened up and became friends with people that were interested in the same hobbies as me, it made me feel safe and wanted by students just like me. So it is okay to talk to random people, just try to have a good judge of character. If someone is being kind of weird, or you have a bad vibe, maybe you shouldn’t continue to be friends with him or her. But once you do find a good group of friends, stay with them and maintain a great relationship with those people. They will be your safety net when you need someone to talk to, if something bad happens and you’re afraid, or even if your just scared to walk across campus at night and you need a buddy.

So my main advice for incoming freshmen is to not be afraid to have your guard up. If something feels off, then don’t pursue it. Once you find yourself, find a good group of friends you feel safe and comfortable with and that make you happy. As long as you stay true to yourself you will be fine!

College Preparedness: The Crucial Role of the Parent by Katiera Sordjan

Going to college brings many changes for students. Not only are they expected to succeed academically, but young men and women must also learn to balance their schoolwork, social life, and extracurricular activities, mostly without their parents' direct supervision and guidance. While this newfound freedom is largely welcomed, the adjustment to college can be challenging and lead to unexpected problems that can interfere with a student's ability to do well. As a child transitions from high school to college, it is very important for parents and guardians to have honest conversations with students about what this next phase of their academic careers will bring.  

Facilitating the transition to college starts considerably early. As a child enters his or her teen years, parents must instill a sense of responsibility in their children. Someone who has their mother or father doing all of their laundry and managing their schedules will probably find themselves in a precarious situation come freshman year. Children who take on more active roles in their household have a much stronger understanding of the adult responsibilities expected of them when they leave for school.

A big topic that needs to be tackled when preparing for college is personal safety. High school graduates who go off to schools away from home, especially in a different type of setting (i.e. someone from a small town attending college in a large city) may find maneuvering in their new environment without adult guidance to be stressful at best. Students should be highly aware of their surroundings, and parents need to stress precautions such as locking dorm rooms, keeping valuables protected, and traveling with friends, particularly at night. A person who is not constantly mindful of those around them are much easier to take advantage of by strangers or even classmates. 

One of the key components of safety has to do with interactions with other students. Many new college enrollees will find themselves in situations such as large parties for the first time, bereft of the constant watchful eye of their parents. Mothers and fathers must have these conversations in such a way that will be most helpful to their child. When discussing matters such as sex and drugs, an abstinent-only policy will not work. It will only leave a student confused on how to handle a situation when faced with it. Parents should remember when they were in their children's shoes. Their son or daughter is no longer a young kid and will encounter very adult scenarios when away at school. Talking to students openly about sex entails conversations about protection and consent, as well as handling unwanted advances. Many girls for example, will go off to college and be sexually harassed and/or assaulted, but not consider these crimes as anything more serious than general discomfort, and may even blame themselves for the attack. If this conversation is not easy, a parent could enlist the help of a teacher or counselor. But the small amount of awkwardness between adult and child is minuscule when compared to the potential consequences. In the same notion, kids should be aware of drugs, particularly alcohol. Most students will come across substance use on their campuses, many for the first time, and will need to be prepared. Many college freshmen end up hospitalized during their first weeks of school because they took their new liberties a little too far, and were not well informed on the outcomes of their actions. There will be those students who never use drugs or drink. But instead of the simple "drugs are bad and don't do them" speech, parents must make sure their children understand what to do in college situations regarding substance use. For example, avoiding pre-mixed drinks in favor of closed bottles or cans at parties is important. Spiking drinks or making them stronger than the drinker can handle often leads to dangerous situations such as overdose and rape. With that being said, the connection between sex and drugs is important to understand. A high person cannot legally give consent to sexual activity, and drinking and/or using drugs without the supervision of trusted friends can lead to a very unsafe environment.

While it often brings back memories of uncomfortable middle school lectures, parents should make sure their children understand peer pressure. It will play a much greater role in college than ever before, and more often than not parents will not be around to check these external influences. Peer pressure goes even beyond drinking and sex, and can be as seemingly benign as skipping a homework assignment to go out with friends. While it may seem tempting in the moment, these instances of avoiding work can quickly lead to falling far behind in class. 

Even when a student goes off to college and begins their undergraduate studies, one of the most important things a parent can do is keep an open line of communication with their kids. They will naturally want their space from Mom and Dad and not feel constantly bothered by calls and messages, but in the long run will appreciate having their parents' support. Too often are college students afraid of bringing up new problems and concerns with their parents for fear of harsh judgement or ostracism, and loved ones will often find out too late when there is a serious issue. A parent should remain authoritative, but stress that they are there to support their child in whatever way they can.   

Conversations such as these are loaded, and not easy, but are crucial in helping make college the best experience that it can be for a young adult. Growing up can be difficult and stressful enough, and to remain a stellar student while juggling all of life's ups and downs can seem almost impossible. But a parent, since infancy, is there to guide and nurture us to become successful, happy adults. Keeping college students healthy and safe begins before they even step foot on campus, and a strong support system from the start of freshman year will ensure they not only complete their degree, but leave college with a wealth of good experiences. 

Parents Have a Say for Safety at College by Benedictine University blogger Karly

It is completely understandable for parents to be concerned about their children’s safety when it comes to picking the right college for them. Ever since they sent them off to school, parents have had their watchful eye on their kids. From kindergarten to senior year of high school, the safety of their kids has been in their hands. But when the time comes for their kids to leave the city, state, or even country, it is extremely important for a parent to feel comfortable sending their babies to a safe place to live. There are many ways for parents to actively support their children and their decision for college when they are concerned with safety issues. Here are a few…

1. Visit the College with your Child: If the school is close enough to make a trip to, pack your bags and head over to check out how safe the campus is. It is one thing for your child to tell you about the campus they are going to be living on, but when a parent is actually there in person to get a feel for the environment it changes everything completely. Just walking around the campus can give anyone a feel of how safe it can or cannot be on a day-to-day basis.

2. Get Involved On a Safety Board/ State One: If your child is really interested in going to a certain school and you know that it might not be the safest school, maybe it is time to change that and do something about it. If the school has some sort of safety board that you can join; sign up! There is always room to make a difference to keep a school safe from sexual assaults and other kinds of dangerous behavior. If for some reason the college your child really wants to go to does not have any kind of safety board or group to join, start one! I am sure that if a school has enough trouble going on that more than a few parents would love to join a cause to help prevent events from occurring.

3. Let your Kid know You Care: If you are unfortunately located too far away from the school that your child is going to there are still some ways that you as a parent can support your child's choice of school. Let them know that you are there for them. Give them a call or text every once in a while to let them know that no matter what the situation is you will be there for them to talk to at anytime. Sometimes the most important thing to have is an open ear and an open heart for someone that is suffering.

Campus-wide Accountability for Prevention by Bradley University blogger Ashley

My university is known for being very apathetic- we pick and choose what we care about, but we mainly care about ourselves. People barely show support for our sports teams, no one really wants to attend philanthropic events that cost money (aka fundraisers) unless they’re being put on by one of their buddies in a Greek organization, an organization is lucky if even twenty people show up to their event (especially if it’s not music-related or counts towards extra credit in a class). On my campus, the Greek population makes up close to 40% of our student body (if not more), so they have a lot of power when it comes to reaching out to the student body as a whole. When it comes to sexual assault prevention, Greek life could be the main proponents in raising awareness about this critical issue. Most students listen to the Greeks, almost surprisingly.

Photo from Bradley University

A month or two ago, one of the fraternities on campus had a table stationed in our student center with a huge sheet of paper with many signatures. People who stopped by the table and wanted to stand against domestic abuse signed the sheet and received a white ribbon. I’m not sure if this is something that the fraternity always does, but I was happy to see them actually showing their support in ending domestic violence and helping victims and survivors. This was a step in the right direction for sure, but I’d love to see more fraternities and sororities alike taking a stand.

I’m not going to put all of the responsibility on Greek life to provide sexual assault prevention and awareness because that wouldn’t be fair. It is our duty as a campus community to look after one another and take a stand to injustice. No matter how “apathetic” we may seem as a whole, it still doesn’t make it an excuse to be stagnant or inactive, to turn a blind eye to instances of assault. The minute we say “was he or she drinking when it happened? What were they wearing? Were they being a tease?”, we are taking away that person’s voice.  We are already holding unfair judgments and placing blame on the victim.

Honestly, one of the first steps that should be taken is for administration to create a mandatory sexual assault prevention class. We make students sit through fire safety presentations and an alcohol safety presentation, but we only tie sexual assault to alcohol, as if it only occurs when both parties have had “too much to drink” and have cloudy judgment. There are still many ignorant and naïve students when they arrive on campus, and they hold many stereotypes as truth, which can hurt them greatly in the end, whether as a victim who doesn’t know their rights or that it’s not their fault or a perpetrator who thought the person wanted it even though they were drunk. Sexual assault prevention needs to become mandatory and less taboo. This issue is as important as teaching us how to control our intake of substances. Sexual assault is a life or death situation, just like drinking too much or ingesting too much of a drug- the effects can be very damaging, whether obvious or not. So stand up, protect one another, and hold each other accountable for our actions (or inactions).

Students Should Speak Up by Benedictine University blogger Karly

It is a scary topic. Most people feel uncomfortable when it is brought up but the truth of the matter is it has to be talked about. College students rarely discuss the issue of sexual assaults on campuses. Being a college student myself, I will admit that it is a very difficult topic to grasp because the reality is that unfortunate incidents of sexual assaults do happen on college campuses. However, most of us do not realize that it is really up to us to make a difference to prevent assaults from happening in the future. Here are a few ways that college students can get involved to help prevent sexual assaults on campus.

Increase male participation- In my personal opinion I feel that more girls than guys at colleges are aware of the topic of sexual assaults and how to prevent them from happening. If more boys were aware of the outcomes that assaults cause on the victims I feel that they will hopefully get more involved and spread the word of awareness.

Don’t get involved with the wrong people- We can only do so much to try and prevent sexual assaults from happening at college, but unfortunately it still does happen so the most important thing to do is to be smart and don’t make bad choices or put yourself into sticky situations and hopefully this wil be the biggest aspect in preventing sexual assault.

Be more than a Bystander - Don’t be afraid to speak up. I know that it can be really hard if someone that you are close to or are friends with is a victim of sexual assault but in the long run it will benefit them if you SPEAK UP and tell someone that can do something about it so that it does not happen again.

If the unfortunate incident of a sexual assault occurs on a college campus students should make the victim feel comfortable, giving them a safe environment.  

Women's History on Campus by Bradley University blogger Ashley

The women’s rights movement has come a long way on college campuses. There was a time when girls and boys didn’t attend the same school, as formal education was seen as more important for boys. Girls were expected to learn domestic duties from their mothers and tend to the household, so many young women learned to read and write at home rather than attend a “dame school”.  Even in higher education, women had very few choices when it came to majors or vocations. They had to attend female seminaries that only provided the option to learn “ladylike” skills rather than the formal, academic training provided to males. Most women would go on to become teachers, as that was one of the few acceptable occupations, and only unmarried women could become teachers.

Salem College- "oldest female educational establishment that's still a women's college"

Photo by Marilyn Hayes

Fast forward to today- women account for the majority of undergraduate students in higher education. At co-ed institutions, women are able to attend the same classes and pursue the same majors as males. There are increasingly more women joining the teaching force of higher education, proving how hard they worked to get their Master’s and Doctorate degrees in such a male-dominated industry. Women hold higher administrative positions, including the highest position of President (or the equivalent at other institutions).  Female students are able to join pretty much any student organization they desire, except for the obvious traditional male fraternities and other social groups catered to men (mostly due to the fact that they have the word “men” in the title). While males have some of their own groups, females have their own as well- on my campus, we have various sororities and a unity group for women of color.

I had an English professor a few years ago who wouldn’t allow anyone to address her by any title less than Doctor. “I worked very hard to get my PhD, so it is disrespectful for you to reduce my achievement by calling me ‘Mrs.’ or anything like that,” she said during our first class period. A male student went on to call her Admiral sometimes, and she accepted that since that was an upgrade in her eyes.

Even with all of the seemingly equal opportunities for women on college campuses, there are still an overwhelming amount of male professors at your traditional university. As someone who will be graduating in less than two months, I can confidently say that about 80% of my professors have been male. I’ve had on average one female professor per semester, and I take 4-5 classes per semester. There are still men (professors, department heads, and students alike) who make misogynistic and sexist comments in class and boldly at the face of women. The tenured men can’t be fired unless grievances are filed, regardless if many people heard the comments publicly or not. So many people let these comments pass by saying, “Well, they’re old and senile anyway” or “They’ll retire soon enough” or “Just get through the class and you’ll never have to take another class with them ever again” and the like. So many people have the attitude that just because these men come from a different generation and era that it is okay for them to make these comments because you can’t change the ways of older adults.

As I stated earlier, women’s rights on campuses have come a long way, but we still have a ways to go until we reach a truly equal status on the majority of campuses across the nation.

Photo from USA Today

Women’s Rights Have Made A Difference by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

We Can Do It

It is hard to believe how far we have come. All the battles we have fought to get to where we are. Women have always been looked at as the less dominate ones. It is unfortunate that the evolution took this long. But finally, women have the majority of the same rights that men do. It was not easy getting here, the journey has been a long and hard one but looking back women have truly shaped the way people treat them not only just in the work place, but also on college campuses. The role that women’s rights play is extremely important today to encourage, shape and educate young women in schools so that they can continue the growth of equality. 

When most people think of women’s rights they think of the important women in history, the events that have shaped what women stand for today, and women in the work place. But rarely people think of how women’s rights affect college life. It is not thought to be abnormal that men and women go to school together today and it shouldn’t be. On college campus’s women have the same, maybe even more active rolls than men. Their dominance in school life shows not to treat them differently just because they are girls. Women on college campuses are the ones truly living out the dream that history has made possible today.

Today women are stronger than ever. Just think if women in America did not come as far as they have today. What if Rosa Parks never stood her ground for women that are still living her message today? Or if Amelia Earhart never took the risks and adventures to show that women are just as strong as men. Over the years, there have been riots because of many intense topics but the one that continues to be changing over time is the fact that women are still making a difference in this world. Some men are still not too fond of this idea. But those men have to face the facts and realize that women are not going anywhere, and it is only up from here. Whether you are a male or female, beginning in elementary school the importance of women’s rights has been implanted in our brains so it has only been natural for society to shift its views on what women are capable of achieving. Although we have come a long way, there are other parts of the world that are still less fortunate than America. Women’s rights are still an everyday battle for a lot of women in struggling countries where men still see themselves as more powerful of the two sexes. Hopefully one day the whole world will see how important the impact women’s ideas and thoughts can have on society.

The Importance of Women's History Month by Katiera Sordjan

     

     Unfortunately, even with the dedication of entire sequential months to a celebration of the achievements of African-Americans and women, the imperativeness of these recognitions is still greatly underestimated. We are halfway through March, yet I have heard little mention of Women's History Month in my neighborhood and local schools. We live in a society that still poorly represents women in its culture, and teaches its girls to feel unsafe and insecure merely because of their gender. Girls deserve to be educated about their histories, so they can feel confident and empowered by female role models. 

     Both men and women still scoff and roll their eyes at feminist movements and celebrations like Women's History Month. They accuse women of wanting to be the same as men (often using the Freudian term penis envy) or have more power than them. But sexism is still alive and well; acquiring the right to vote and hold offices does not mean that women are treated equally and fairly, which is all feminism really asks for. In the words of Winston Churchill, history is written by the victors. A dominating patriarchal society hurts both men and women by confining them to rigid roles, and leaves little room for those who lie outside of the traditional gender binary. 

     Not only have women been barred from important fields historically, but today many still assume that contributions to society are made mostly by men due to some inherent weakness in women. Sandi Toksgiv, a European writer and producer, reflected on an anthropology course she took while studying at Cambridge. Her female professor noted that a bone etched with 28 markings is considered evidence of man's first creation of a calendar. However, only a woman would find significance in marking 28 days, as it represents the average length of the menstrual cycle. Toksgiv wondered how many other achievements of women she had overlooked in her life. This is a question we should be asking ourselves as well. 

     It took time for women to be able to be an active and recognized part of politics, art, and science. Women's History Month recognizes women like Rosalind Franklin, whose crucial role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA was overlooked in favor of crediting scientists Watson and Crick. It praises women like Rosa Parks, who refused to tolerate the prejudices towards men and women of color. It rallies behind contemporary women like Wendy Davis, who stood in front of a largely male senate for 11 hours to block a bill that would restrict Texan women's reproductive rights. This is not a demand for greater space in the history books than men, but to rewrite the history that has been diminished and concealed, and to tell the stories that are constantly being written by women all over the world every day. 

     It is no surprise that in a culture that encourages female submission and censorship, as well as male aggression and authority, women can be taken advantage of, abused, and will rarely come forward. This is important to think about as we continue our discussion of the issues of sexual assault on college campuses. When a woman is taught that her body is public property, and that her voice is not always worthy of being heard or trusted, we perpetuate a rape culture that causes many women to suffer in silence. 

     The story of our country is one of overcoming adversity and fighting for the freedoms we deserve as citizens. We have a come a long way, but are still fighting to be seen as equals regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or background. We honor the history of women to remember their important role in shaping countries across the globe, and to remind our children to continue to fight for equality and overcome the obstacles of prejudice to fulfill their goals and dreams.