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10/8/15, 10:53 AMRacial slurs at WSU spark protests, discussion - Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Local

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Racial slurs at WSU spark protests, discussionBy Patrick Groves, Special to the Daily News | Posted: Wednesday, March 4, 2015 12:00 am

Some Washington State University students aredemanding the termination of a fraternity and theexpulsion of a student at the Pullman campus after analleged incident in which racial slurs were directed atblack women on Greek Row.

A WSU student, who has been identified only as amember of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and theInterfraternity Counsel, the governing body of the maleGreek system, allegedly told black women attending aFeb. 21 social event at the Phi Delta Theta house to "getthe fuck out you nigger bitch."

The incident sparked minority students to protest Feb. 25and led to a meeting Thursday between protest organizers,WSU administrators, including Dean of Students JeffGuillory, and members of the Office for Student Standardsand Accountability.

The protesters called for the termination of the fraternity house and the expulsion of the student, bothplausible repercussions after the completion of a university investigation, administrators said. Otherdemands include cultural competency training for Greek houses, the revaluation of curriculum satisfyingthe diversity credit requirement and the notification of alumni after discriminatory events.

Christina Sessoms, the president of the Black Student Union, said the slur robbed students of their safetyand security at the university. She added it was not an isolated incident, but an example of a systemicproblem at WSU.

"All of us have to now watch our back in fear of backlash and potential harm because we are the oneswho are addressing a serious problem that is embedded in WSU culture," she said. "How is that fair?"

Phi Delta Theta President Samuel Lee agreed the slur was part of a larger campus issue and apologizedduring the meeting to the black community at the university. Members present stated the individual hadbeen kicked out of the fraternity following the slurs. Lee declined to comment further after his publicstatement.

Racial slurs at WSU sparkprotests, discussion

Washington State University students holdsigns Feb. 25 on the Pullman campusprotesting racial slurs allegedly made by afraternity member on Feb. 21.

10/8/15, 10:53 AMRacial slurs at WSU spark protests, discussion - Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Local

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"I think that our membership is very disappointed in the member's actions," Lee told those in attendanceThursday. "We are fully ready and willing to work however we need to or however you deem necessaryto resolve this."

The Greek leadership, made up of the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils, issued a statementcondemning the remarks. The groups also urged Greek houses to "hold themselves to a higher standardand create a welcoming environment."

Members of the black community created a nonviolent movement called Wake Up WSU following theslur. The group aims to promote racial and gender equality on campus.

"I learned that you can be educated at this university and still be ignorant," said Beniam Yetbarek, asenior management information systems major and a founding member of Wake Up WSU.

Yetbarek said the expulsion of the student as a singular event would not change culture. However,addressing concerns raised by Wake Up WSU and students of color can lead to a positive change.

"It's not just white versus black, it's people at a disadvantage," he said.

Guillory said the "underbelly" of WSU culture has not changed significantly since his undergraduatecareer at the institution in the 1960s, and he encouraged students to become involved in faculty, staff andstudent committees to change policy at the university.

"If you can change policy, you begin to change the rudiment of culture itself," he said. "I would reallylike to see once and for all, after all these years, an actual change in this culture taking place."

Some change could come through the campus climate report, which was released by WSU PresidentElson Floyd earlier this month. It features the implementation of diversity education programs for faculty,staff and students, a change in freshman curriculum and more effective policing methods of the CollegeHill area.

"This is a marathon, not a sprint," said Melynda Huskey, interim vice president of Student Affairs and theDean of Students. "We've been working on these issues in a way for a long, long time. As theenvironment changes we've got to keep working on this. As the technology changes, we have to come upwith new efforts."

Patrick Groves can be reached at [email protected].

10/8/15, 10:49 AMWSU, UI among 55 schools investigated for sexual violence - Spokesman.com - May 2, 2014

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May 2, 2014

Patrick GrovesCorrespondent

WSU, UI among 55 schools investigated forsexual violence

PULLMAN – Sexual violence complaints leveled against Washington State University andthe University of Idaho have put both schools on the list of 55 colleges and universitiesthat are being investigated for how they handled reports of assault.

Attorneys from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights visited bothcampuses in late February.

The sweeping investigations come amid calls for transparency – from the White Housedown to student groups – on how the universities deal with sexual assault as morecomplaints are filed.

The 55 schools being investigated range from some of the largest state universities to IvyLeague schools and small private colleges.

They include some of the best known and largest public universities in the countryincluding University of California at Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and Ohio StateUniversity, to Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Dartmouth and Princeton.

Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University and Whitworth University were not onthe list of schools investigated.

WSU is under investigation for not meeting response and investigation standards asrequired by Title IX, the federal law best known for guaranteeing equal access to sports forgirls and women but that also protects a student’s right to a safe education freefrom discrimination.

The complaint accuses WSU of not investigating sexual violence cases. Furthermore, it



alleges that administrators discouraged victims from reporting and that they purposefullydelayed investigations.

“The lack of timely, professional, and appropriate investigation harms students andviolates their civil rights,” according to the complaint released as part of a Freedom ofInformation Act request.

WSU officials said the school “does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment, sexualassault, or other sexual misconduct. Complaints are investigated promptly, andappropriate steps are taken to stop discriminatory behavior, prevent its recurrence, andremedy its effects.”

Spokeswoman Kathy Barnard added: “WSU takes these issues very seriously. We haveproactively and continue to proactively work to improve our programs and processes inthis area. Although we know our programs and processes are strong, there is alwaysroom for improvement. We will work with (the Office of Civil Rights) to ensure that what wedo at WSU is in line with best practices nationally.”

At Idaho, the investigation centers on a complaint by a female student who said she wasdrugged, raped and choked by a male student during an off-campus fraternity function inSeptember 2012.

UI is accused of “failing to adequately respond” to her complaint and failing to makeaccommodations for the student, according to government documents.

“I believe that by enrolling this dangerous man into the university and having him aroundsorority girls as well as another major university only eight miles away that they are puttingother girls in danger,” the woman said in the complaint.

Moscow police said there is no police report related to the alleged incident.

Civil rights investigators contacted Idaho in April 2013 regarding the complaint. “The UItakes all complaints of assault very seriously and remains intolerant of sexual harassment,sexual assault and other sexual misconduct,” Bruce Pitman, Idaho’s dean of students,said in the statement. “The UI is steadfast in its commitment to investigate all complaintsas quickly as possible and to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to stop



discriminatory behavior, prevent its recurrence and remedy its effects.”

Pitman said his office has been reorganized to better handle cases of sexual violence,including the hiring of a full-time employee to investigate violations of the Student Code ofConduct and then present the findings to a hearing panel. The coordinator also serves onteams that investigate sexual misconduct allegations.

Among other changes, students are now required to complete an online training course toraise awareness of sexual misconduct and drug and alcohol abuse. And a speaker’sbureau has been established so victims can share their stories with others who havebeen affected.

“Why a lot of students file complaints is the fact that oftentimes the treatment theyreceive from the university is even worse than the assault itself,” said Andrea Pino, anational Title IX activist and rape survivor.

An estimated 1 in 5 female college students is sexually assaulted, according to researchcited by the White House.

“No (school) probably loves to have their name on that list,” Education Secretary ArneDuncan said during a White House media briefing Thursday. “But we’ll investigate; we’ll gowhere the facts are. And where they have done everything perfectly, we’ll be very loudand clear that they’ve done everything perfectly.”

Duncan said while being on the list might feel difficult for schools, it pales in comparison tothe difficulty and trauma borne by sexual assault victims on American college campuses.

“In terms of what’s morally right there, the moral compass, whatever we can do to havefewer young women and young men having to go through these types of horrific incidents,we want to do that,” Duncan said.

Pino, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and others filed Title IXcomplaints last year against their university, which is still under investigation. She also co-founded the Know Your IX website that outlines student rights guaranteed by the act.

Additionally, a White House task force launched the NotAlone.org (http://NotAlone.org)

http://notalone.org/



website this week providing similar information for victims of sexual assault. “There’s a lotmore to do, but I think it says a lot when students are willing to take very serious actions tohold their schools accountable and empower themselves,” Pino said.

At WSU the Office of Equal Opportunity conducts investigations after receiving acomplaint or a police report, director Kimberly Anderson said. The goal is to complete aninvestigation as soon as possible, which the U.S. Department of Education suggestsshould be within 60 days.

A criminal and university investigation into an alleged sexual assault can happensimultaneously. The task force recommends law enforcement and university officials forgean agreement that would “make investigations and prosecutions more efficient.”

“We encourage reporting of allegations and respond to the best of our ability and we careabout the issue,” said WSU’s Anderson. “We would certainly never discourage reporting.”

In response to investigations, other colleges and universities have established routinecooperation with police to speed investigations, according to government reports. Lawenforcement usually completes an investigation in about seven to 10 days. Policecooperation at WSU and the UI are at the discretion of the victim.

“You can’t blame a university for rape, but you can hold them accountable for the climatethat permits it to continue happening,” Pino said. “Universities are afraid to call it rape andafraid to call it a crime. Rather, they continue to call it misconduct and it continues toleave ambiguity.”

WSU disciplinary sanctions for rape include reflection papers, community service,suspension or expulsion.

Dean of Students Melynda Huskey said sanctions are to be educational and address anythreats to the WSU community. Rape falls under sexual misconduct at WSU, which rangesfrom flashing and stalking to unwanted touching and rape.

At the UI, sexual violence sanctions range from temporary suspension to expulsion,according to university policy.



Emilie McLarnan is the assistant director of Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, anorganization that provides safety for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Theorganization collaborates with WSU and UI administrators. McLarnan said she agrees withnationwide activists like Pino in that university disciplinary sanctions need to be changed.

“No sanction is going to undo this crime,” she said, “but a consistent response shouldbe used.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Get more news and information at Spokesman.com

http://www.spokesman.com/

10/8/15, 10:52 AMGrove provides little response to inquiries - Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Local

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Grove provides little response to inquiriesBy Patrick Groves, Daily News staff writer | Posted: Monday, July 22, 2013 1:00 am

Pullman Grove officials dodged media inquiries this weekend as investigators turned over the scene ofthe largest Pullman fire in 30 years to construction crews.

Campus Crest Communities Inc., of Charlotte, N.C., said in a statement Sunday it could not release thenumber of Washington State University students displaced by the three-alarm fire. It leveled 88 units setto be completed Aug. 17 before the start of fall classes.

The destroyed units had two and three bedroom floor plans and when completed would have featuredprivate bedrooms, bathrooms, walk-in closets, full furnishings, kitchens, appliances, washers and dryers,Campus Crest said.

The company also confirmed all Pullman Grove leaseholders have been contacted.

When the Daily News visited The Grove at Pullman office Saturday, the office staff said they areworking every day of the week to provide customer service and are doing their best to help leaseholders.

Meanwhile, two foundations at the construction site had been cleared Saturday and the charred remnantsof the former structures were sorted into several piles of wood, metal, brick and the like.

Gene Winters, the project supervisor of The Grove, said he could not comment on

construction and referred reporters to a press release, which could not be found, on the Campus Crestwebpage.

An apartment building under construction at The Grove off Terre View Drive, erupted in flames about 3a.m. July 14 and spread to three other buildings. The Pullman Fire Department sounded a three-alarmbringing Rural District 12, both city and rural fire departments from Moscow and the Colfax FireDepartment to help contain and neutralize the fire.

3-D model of fire's origins

Deputies from the Spokane County Sheriff's Office arrived early Saturday morning on the scene of themiddle building where the fire began.

The team mapped the scene using equipment called a "total station," an electronic theodolite (transit)integrated with an electronic distance meter. Using two tripods, one with a laser mount and another with areceiver, they were able to take exact distance measurements to create a 3-D computer model to scale.

The deputies also charted the locations of potential accelerants sniffed out last week by an arson dog

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from the Spokane Fire Department.

Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said the Spokane team also maps accidents and homicides requiringfurther investigation. Tennant said the 3-D model is crucial for an outdoor scene such as the fire becauseit will change as construction crews continue to build on the site.

"Having a three-dimensional map you can look at and point at helps everyone's perspective inconceptualizing the scene," he said.

The model would also help explain to a jury the location of evidence if the fire ever comes to a trial.

Pullman Fire Chief Mike Heston said the investigation team will conclude follow-up interviews witheyewitnesses and construction crew members and an analysis of the 3-D model during the next fewweeks.

Patrick Groves can be reached at (208) 883-4632, or by email to [email protected].

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ASWSU vice president arrested for DUIBy Patrick Groves

Published 1/27/2013 7:11:00 PMComments (9)

Whitman County Sheriffs arrested ASWSU Vice President and City Councilman Derrick Skaug for drivingunder the influence at 1:18 a.m. Sunday.

Sheriff Brett Myers said Skaug’s blood alcohol level was above the legal limit of 0.08. The investigation iscomplete and the police report and evidence will go to the Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office forcharging consideration, Myers said.

In a statement emailed to The Daily Evergreen, Skaug said his blood alcohol level was 0.09 when he wasarrested. The police pulled him over for making a wide turn, he said.

“This is a serious situation — one in which I have not been before,” he said, “and I want to express myremorse and apologies to my family, my school and my community.”

Sgt. Dan Dornes of the Pullman Police Department said an officer assisted in the towing and impounding ofSkaug’s vehicle while the deputy took him to the Pullman Police Station for the blood alcohol level test.

Mayor Glenn Johnson said Skaug’s city councilman status does not change because of this incident.

“All are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court,” Johnson said.

Melynda Huskey, the WSU dean of students, said when a student potentially breaches the Student ConductCode, the Office of Student Standards and Accountability reviews the police report and determines if ahearing is needed.

In the review, the office will decide if the student should meet with one conduct officer or with the fullconduct board, Huskey said. The officer or the board will conclude if the student was responsible and if so,they will implement sanctions.

“It’s typical in a circumstance like that that the sanction would be that the student would no longer beeligible to serve as an officer in any student organization,” Huskey said.

However, students are innocent until proven responsible, she added.

As soon as the Office of Student Standards and Accountability receives the police report they move asquickly as possible to determine responsibility, she said. The office’s speed is determined by the allegedviolation's possible affect.

“DUIs are more serious because they involve the possibility of harming another person or people veryseriously,” Huskey said.

Myers said it would be up to the prosecutor’s office to forward the police report to WSU officials.

He said Skaug is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m. Monday in Colfax.

ASWSU President Kyle Erdman said he has no comment.

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10/8/15, 11:09 AMStudents seek more state tuition help - Spokesman.com - Feb. 19, 2013

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February 19, 2013

Patrick GrovesCorrespondent

Students seek more state tuition helpDay’s events in Olympia include rally, meeting with lawmakers

Shaelah Easterday has $150,000 in student loan debt. As a middle child with five siblings,she takes out private loans on top of federal aid because she pays for college herself.

“I just don’t want my tuition to go up, to be honest,” Easterday said Monday.

Easterday, 24, is a pharmacy student at WSU-Spokane and a 2010 graduate of GonzagaUniversity, where she earned a biology degree. She and other students from acrossWashington spent Monday in Olympia for Washington Student Association Lobby Day,which featured a rally on the steps of the Temple of Justice.

“We vote to put these people into their jobs and they should be listening to us,” said theorganization’s president, Shelby Pelon.

The group, consisting of student government representatives from each of the state’spublic colleges and universities, is pushing for greater higher education affordabilitythrough increased state support. Tuition rates have increased by as much as 66 percentsince 2007 at Washington’s public colleges and universities.

Students cheered as state Rep. Gerry Pollet, D-Seattle, spoke about House Bill 1624,which sets a long-term goal for tuition to cost 10 percent of the Washington medianhousehold income.

“We’ve made the promise of higher education unaffordable to many of Washington state’schildren and families,” Pollet said. “And it’s time to restore that promise of affordableaccess to our higher education system.”

House Higher Education Committee Chairman Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, said the billwill get a vote in his committee Wednesday or Thursday. But its prognosis beyond that

10/8/15, 11:09 AMStudents seek more state tuition help - Spokesman.com - Feb. 19, 2013

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is unclear.

State Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle, promised students at the rally that the SenateDemocratic Caucus will reinvest in higher education.

A part of the Senate Democrat’s plan is Senate Bill 5420, which would freeze tuition ratesfor the 2013-2015 academic years if the Legislature disburses $225 million among the sixpublic colleges and universities.

“I think the thing that we’re all really concerned about is the burden on middle classfamilies in terms of additional loans,” said Frockt, who is a co-sponsor of SB 5420.

The Senate Higher Education Committee approved the bill Feb. 15, and it’s now awaitingconsideration in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

According to the proposed legislation, the state covered 72 to 76 percent of student tuition10 years ago. It’s now just 36 to 37 percent, leaving students and their families to absorbthe rest.

The average Washington student debt upon graduation in 2011 was $22,244, according toprojectonstudentdebt.org (http://projectonstudentdebt.org) , a nonprofit independentresearch initiative.

Easterday was among the students advocating passage of HB 1624 and bills like it in theirmeetings with legislators.

“I just don’t think it’s right that people are in such debt they can’t even get out of it,” shesaid. “For something as simple as education, to me it’s a basic right.”

Get more news and information at Spokesman.com

http://projectonstudentdebt.org/

http://www.spokesman.com/

Download - Racial slurs at WSU spark protests, discussion - Moscow-Pullman Daily News: Local

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