Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 4-THE CLUSTER, JAN. 29, l9MFeaiur,s
Features
Rape program to educate students in prevention
By Susannah Vass
Features editor
Acquaintance rape is not an un
common occurrence on college
campuses. Rape can happen
anywhere; just because it isn’t
publicized doesn't mean it’s nonex
istent. The University has a respon
sibility to define rape, to educate
both men and women alike, and to
set up procedures and resources for
victimes of rape.
This, accordirfk to Carolyn
Brooks. Assistant \D irector of
Residence Life, is the idea behind
the organization of a campus wide
rape defense program. It is
represented by the acronym RAPE
(Rape Awareness through Preven
tion and Education), which is the
name of a special task force set up
by the Residence Life staff.
"Marilyn Mindingall and I talk
ed about different approaches to
rape awareness." said Brooks.
"Fortunately, sve both had the
same thing envisioned. We came
up with a rape awareness project
that would be comprehensive and
cross-campus, involving faculty,
staff, and students. We have com
plete support (from the administra
tion) that rape is an issue that needs
to be dealt with."
The program is divided into three
parts. The first is a specific week
of events scheduled for the second
week in April. The second part
consists of ongoing education,
which will include the distribution
of brochures, videotapes about rape
prevention, workshops for resident
assistants, and lessons in
self-defense.
The third division will be the
development of resources, pro
cedures. and policies for handling
rape within the University system.
Brooks feels that identifying
medical, counseling, and legal ser
vices in the community will help to
establish a standard procedure for
dealing with rapes that 6ccur on
campus.
"We felt like there is a real lack
of formal structure for dealing with
rape on this campus." said Brooks.
"It’s important to identify the com
munity resources available. We
don’t know what exists."
"We firmly believe that if so
meone is victimized, they shouldn't
be victimized by the system. We
should know exactly how to deal
with rape."
Part of the task of RAPE will be
to investigate available services and
to determine specific policies for
handling rapes. RAPE will also
organize workshops and educa
tional programs that will help
define rape for both men and
women.
"Rape is not just a women’s
issue." Brooks asserted. "Wc need
to educate men what rape is. We’re
going to upset some people...Wc
just want them to be aware.’’
Darwin and job search
Submitted by
Johannes I. Svensson,
Peer Advocate _
Since our job-to-be will take up
most of our waking hours in the im
minent future, it is not hard to im
agine that a person who dislikes
his/her job also will dislike life.
This article is written for students
who want to find satisfactory
employment and lead happy lives.
Before we go on. however, let me
squeeze in a few words about
Charles Darwin. His theory of
natural selection states, amongst
other things, that the individuals
that are best adapted to the environ
ment will survive. This theory can
be applied to the process of Job
Search. .3
The fact is that there is more to
getting the job of your choice than
just having a degree. Your degree
will open many doors, but it is up
t* you to obtain the Jmploymcnt
that you desire. Advance prepara
tion is critical. You must realize
that searching for the position is a
full-time job in itself. You must be
prepared to make a personal com
mitment of time and energy. You
will need to spend time analyzing
your career and life goals, and you
will need to be organized and flex
ible as you pursue these goals. The
more committed you are to job
search, the greater your chances of
finding the job most satisfactory to
you at this time of your life, pav
ing the way for a rewarding career
in the years ahead. "The in
dividuals that are most adapted to
the environment will survive and
thrive." as Charlie D. would put it.
To increase your survival pro
spects in the jungle of the business
world, Mercer has a Job Placement
Office.
Jeanne McDowell is in charge of
this office^ and amongst other
things gives five workshops about
Job Search issues such as Resume
Writing and Interviewing Skills.
Together with a Cover Letter
workshop b> Dr. Keith Hamon of
the Learning Skills Center, this six-
workshop series is called the Job
Search.
Although these workshops arc
well advertised beforehand and
Greeks obtain Dean's Cup points
for attending, an average of five or
six students show up.
Since she started her job as
Placement coordinator in 1981.
McDowell has kept statistics on
student attendance at workshops,
and recruitment of these students.
Results indicate that almost all of
the participating students find
employment. The Job Search pro
gram is open to all students, not on
ly seniors. The earlier you start
searching, the better. McDowell
can also help you contact recruiters
who cannot come to Mercer on
Career Day. She states that many
companies are interested in
recruiting students, but do not find
it ecnomically feasible to travel to
Macon for that purpose alone.
Mercer Echoes
20 Years Ago
The Mercer SGA planned to cooperate with 71 me Magazine
in sponsoring a collegiate presidential primary.
The Board of Trustees adopted a resolution interpreted as
meaning that any action by the trustees would be final and not
subject to approval by the Georgia Baptist Convention.
A new organization, the Mercer University Young
Republicans Club was begun, enabling students to receive
valuable experience in planning, programming, and public
relations.
Macon Dodge loaned a stationwagon to the Mercer cagcrs
to help in recruiting.
The office of Dean Trimble was rolled one night with several
hundred feet of toilet tissue.
10 Years Ago
Mercer, for the first time in its history, was forced to file
eight suits to collect delinquent student loans.
A Mercer student charged with DU1 and reckless driving hit
six cars in front of the women's residence hall causing about
$7,000 in damage.
A female Mercer sophomore was attacked beside the Alum
ni House one evening but was unharmed except for a few
scratches.
The beginning of winter quarter saw the opening of die new
law school building.
SUAB formed a film committee made up entirely of .students
who would begin to select films in order to replace the former
system in which the director of student activities selected them.
What can’t Liberal
Arts majors do?
Drug Awareness Week is Feb. 8-12
In observance of Drug Awareness Week (Feb. 8-12), Bacchus reminds the Mercer community to use alcohol
in a responsible manner so that it can enhance rather than impair or destroy social relationships.
For persons who have made the decision to drink. Bacchus offers the following suggestions to avoid
overindulgence:
1) Keep in mind that drinking should not be the primary focus of any activity.
2) Recognize another's right to drink or not to drink. / v
3) Avoid encouraging or reinforcing irresponsible behavior.
4) Remember that the right to drink is limited by society through laws governing age. etc., and respect
these laws.
5) Set a limit on how many drinks you are going to have when you drink, and stick to it.
6) Drink slowly - don’t gulp your drinks.
7) Measure the beverage alcohol when you are mixing a drink.
8.) Use alcohol carefully in connection with other drugs. f
9) Discourage a driver who is under the influence of alcohol from driving; provide transportation-at social
gatherings where drinking is involved. (
10) Seek help if you think you have a drinking problem, and if you think someone else may have a problem,
cncoun^c hmi or her to seek help. . . N* - V
As a liberal arts major, you may
be al the point where you arc
wondering whai profession you
will one day choose. Although a
liberal arts curriculum may not
have a particular vocational focus,
the abilities you ^develop while at
Mercer arc very applicable to the
job world.
Perhaps the biggest problem you
have as a Liberal ARts major is
your interest in everything. You
want to find a job that includes
everything you like. Add to this
those parents who assail you dur
ing each visit with. "But what are
you going to do with a history (or
English, or sociology, or whatever)
degree?" Alas, work Is a necessary
evil, and that attitude is yet another
difficulty with which you must
wrestle.
Does all this mean (hat your
"freedom" as a Liberal Arts ma
jor has suddenly become a curse?
Not really! What it means is that
you must approach the whole idea
differently. Instead of "What CAN
a Liberal Arts major do?, how
about "What CANT a Liberal
Arts major do?" Your life has been
filled with experiences here at
Mercer and elsewhere. It is your
job to determine those skills you
have developed and wish to
market. Human relationship, com
munication. and problem solving
skills as well as critical analysis are
just a sample of *hc abilities you
itavc developed through your cur
riculum at Mercer. These types of
skills can be transferred'from one
career to another, thus you are not
limited to one specific job. And.
the good news is that employers are
once again recognizing the value of
the skills developed through the
liberal arts. They are looking for
employees who arc adaptable and
liberal arts majors fit in this
category.
The first task you must tackle is
setting the goals you want to
achieve in your professional career.
The Career Development Specialist
and the Placement Coordinator in
Student Development are ready to
introduce you to the process of
developing a career.
Whether or not you have definite
career goals. Student Development
(3rd floor CSC) can Kelp you iden
tify the kind of job you want. From
that point you will discover how to
identify employers who have those
positions available. Counselors and
workshops will give you the skills
necessary to market yourself sue
ccssfully. You will learn how to
dress for success, write a resume,
conduct an interview, and search
for a job.
The process of choosing a career
can be a lengthy and time
consuming one. It is recommcnu
cd that you begin during your
freshman year, though you can do
so later if you accelerate your
schedule. Plan now to drop by Stu
dent Development Services, or call
744-2862.