March 28, 2011
Campaign focuses on ending campus violence
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A national campaign seeking to end societal violence on college campuses is coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in early April with several special events and presentations.
“This week gives us an opportunity to have open dialogue and be proactive in our efforts to stem societal violence,” said Elizabeth A. Scally, associate director of education and outreach for University Housing at SIUC.
“Enough is Enough” is happening at SIUC April 3-7. All events are free and open to everyone.
“Stop the Hate” is a presentation at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. Carl Ervin, coordinator of Multicultural Programs and Services, will speak at this kick-off event. Ervin is a trained presenter for the national “Stop the Hate” program, which seeks to prevent violence and combat hate on college campuses while fostering the development of community.
A community service event is set for 7:30 p.m. on April 4 in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. Plans for the project aren’t final but organizers say the evening will offer participants the opportunity to do something worthwhile to help others.
“To Write Love on Her Arms” is at 7 p.m., April 5, in the Student Center ballrooms. This Student Programming Council Lectures Committee event will feature Jamie Tworkowski with music by Andy Zipf. Organizers say the presentation is a conversation about pain, depression, hope, questions and community. To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit group that cites as its mission presenting hope and helping people who struggle with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. Their goal is to encourage and help. For details see http://www.twloha.com.
Jessica Pettitt will lead “If Not Us, Then Who? Let’s Rise” at 6 p.m. on April 6 in the Student Center Auditorium. Pettitt, a diversity educator, feels a responsibility to serve others and end oppression. In her motivational, action-based presentation, she encourages people to imagine a world where service really means something, where there are no excuses or limitations and where all feel a personal sense of responsibility. She discusses the social responsibility that comes with a university education.
The Social Justice Leadership Institute presentation sponsors include Multicultural Programs and Services, Recreational Sports and Services, Saluki First Year, Student Involvement and Leadership Development, University Honors Program, University Housing and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. For more information about the presentation, contact Student Involvement and Leadership Development at 618/453-5714, email phillips@siu.edu, or visit Pettitt’s website at http://www.jessicapettitt.com./
Culminating the week is “Enough is Enough” at 7:30 p.m. on April 7 in the lower level of Grinnell Hall. After the Northern Illinois University shooting, Scott Peska, the university’s director of the Office of Support and Advocacy and Military Student Services, and his staff centralized the campus resources to assist those affected in one way or another by the violence. Now, he shares his insights about how communities move on after tragedies, overcoming adversities, peer group discussions of diversity and other pertinent issues.
Students will also have the opportunity throughout the week to sign “hands” pledging that they will not use their own hands to harm another person.
Zenobia Lawrence Hikes, who was vice president of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech University during the shootings there, inspired the Enough is Enough campaign, encouraging everyone to get involved to stop campus violence. Spurred by the Hikes’ declaration that “Enough is Enough” and her call to action, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators President Diana Doyle initiated the campaign.
Sponsors for Enough is Enough include University Housing, Residence Hall Association, SPC (Student Programming Council) and the Social Justice Leadership Institute.