Gettysburg College welcomes the class of 2019

Photo Courtesy of Mike Baker

Photo Courtesy of Mike Baker

By Julia Sippel, Staff Writer

This fall, Gettysburg is welcoming a brand new group of students to cam­pus— the Class of 2019. As always, this group is certain to be an amazing addition to the College community!

Simultaneously, the 2015—2016 school year will bring several new pol­icy changes, most notably, changes to the implementa­tion of Title IX and adjust­ments to the Alcohol and Drug Policy Point System.

As outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor, Title IX states “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education pro­gram or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (Title IX, Education Amend­ments of 1972. http://www. dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/ titleix.htm).

Newly promoted As­sociate Dean of College Life for Violence Prevention & Resolution and Title IX Co­ordinator, Jennifer McCary, will be working with both this and reports of sexual misconduct, relationship violence, etc.

In addition, the Green Dot initiative will be launched this semester. Col­lege Life compares the pro­gram to a computerized map of red dots, each representing “the spread of some terrible epidemic….” A green dot, however, “represents any behavior, choice, word, or attitude that promotes safety for all of us and communi­cates utter intolerance for any form of violence…. A green dot is simply your in­dividual choice at any given moment to make our com­munity safer” (Green Dot Overview, https://www.get­tysburg.edu/about/ offices/ college_life/violence-pre­vention-title-ix/green-dot/).

While bystander pre­vention is not a new concept at Gettysburg, the Green Dot program is an impressive step in the right direction. For some easy ways to par­ticipate, check out “Green dots for those too busy to do green dots” at https://www. gettysburg.edu/about/of­fices/college_life/violence-prevention- title-ix/green-dot/too-busy/.

Furthermore, the Point System has been updated; for new students, points are assigned in response to drug, alcohol, and related violations of school policy. While the previous standards required less than six accu­mulated points to participate in Greek life or off-campus study, based on the new changes students can be excluded from these oppor­tunities with five points or more. These new standards will be implemented in the spring of 2016.

As in previous years, points and fines in addition to those formally outlined will be applicable in the first weeks of the semester. Through September 10, no events taking place on cam­pus may include alcohol, and first year students are prohibited from attending such events through Septem­ber 17.

“Our primary goal is to give students the opportunity to attend programs and other events hosted on campus without alcohol being pres­ent,” said Dean Ramsey of the additional constraints. As such, various alcohol-free events will be offered during this time period.

Author: Brendan Raleigh

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