Gettysburg College welcomes the class of 2019
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.
