Living wage debate begins at Le Moyne
Andreya Matthew, Staff Writer
December 6, 2012
Filed under News & Features
The janitorial staff that cleans all of the Le Moyne Campus facilities are not paid the standard living wage in Syracuse. Despite the city of Syracuse’s living wage being $14.40 per hour without health care and $12.19 with the employer providing health care, the workers are paid $10.70 per hour, work 25 hours a week and three out of four workers do not receive health care.
All of the workers are under contract with the subcontractor, Eagle Janitorial Services. The workers’ union SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 200United held a “speak out” last Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Soule Branch Library, where Le Moyne students and faculty were welcome to discuss this issue. During this discussion, the workers told their personal story and struggles they have faced because of their current wages they receive from Eagle Janitorial Service. These struggles included having to work two or three jobs to support their families, being unable to afford health care, not being able to save money for emergencies and more.
Both students and faculty attended this event to show their support. In addition to the workers telling their stories, Scott Phillipson, the executive director of the union and Le Moyne alumni of 1998, explained their main goal for the event and as a union.
“We were preparing contract negotiations with Eagle Janitorial Services, through that process we typically talk to our members, we survey them and find out what they need,” Phillips said. “We had been having a conversation with our members about how they were struggling, and that it was really time to have a conversation that went beyond the bargaining table, but on campus about what was going on. I care about Le Moyne and this has probably, in my opinion, maybe something that was going on in the shadows, and it was time to show the campus community how this employer on their campus was treating folks and that just started with the idea of dignity and respect.”
SEIU has been negotiating about wages and healthcare with Eagle Janitorial Services and deems their offer unreasonable and will continue to negotiate with them. However, SEIU expects Le Moyne to urge Eagle Janitorial Services, perhaps through a policy, to pay these workers an actual wage they can survive on or find a subcontractor that will.
In addition to SEIU expectations, some students who attended the “speak out” believe Le Moyne would definitely be open to make some changes to protect the worker’s rights and ensure they get the wages they deserve.
“I heard these students and I’m passionate about their hopes that they can engage Le Moyne as a community to say this needs to change,” Phillips said. “I don’t like cleaning the bathroom in my own home, but you have folks that have to clean 18 bathrooms. It’s a thankless job, and all we’re saying is that, those people should make a living wage and be able to feed their family and have a little money to put some shoes on their children’s feet.”
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2012/12/06/living-wage-debate-begins-at-le-moyne/#sthash.lgOS5lLP.dpuf
Andreya Matthew, Staff Writer
December 6, 2012
Filed under News & Features
The janitorial staff that cleans all of the Le Moyne Campus facilities are not paid the standard living wage in Syracuse. Despite the city of Syracuse’s living wage being $14.40 per hour without health care and $12.19 with the employer providing health care, the workers are paid $10.70 per hour, work 25 hours a week and three out of four workers do not receive health care.
All of the workers are under contract with the subcontractor, Eagle Janitorial Services. The workers’ union SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 200United held a “speak out” last Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. in the Soule Branch Library, where Le Moyne students and faculty were welcome to discuss this issue. During this discussion, the workers told their personal story and struggles they have faced because of their current wages they receive from Eagle Janitorial Service. These struggles included having to work two or three jobs to support their families, being unable to afford health care, not being able to save money for emergencies and more.
Both students and faculty attended this event to show their support. In addition to the workers telling their stories, Scott Phillipson, the executive director of the union and Le Moyne alumni of 1998, explained their main goal for the event and as a union.
“We were preparing contract negotiations with Eagle Janitorial Services, through that process we typically talk to our members, we survey them and find out what they need,” Phillips said. “We had been having a conversation with our members about how they were struggling, and that it was really time to have a conversation that went beyond the bargaining table, but on campus about what was going on. I care about Le Moyne and this has probably, in my opinion, maybe something that was going on in the shadows, and it was time to show the campus community how this employer on their campus was treating folks and that just started with the idea of dignity and respect.”
SEIU has been negotiating about wages and healthcare with Eagle Janitorial Services and deems their offer unreasonable and will continue to negotiate with them. However, SEIU expects Le Moyne to urge Eagle Janitorial Services, perhaps through a policy, to pay these workers an actual wage they can survive on or find a subcontractor that will.
In addition to SEIU expectations, some students who attended the “speak out” believe Le Moyne would definitely be open to make some changes to protect the worker’s rights and ensure they get the wages they deserve.
“I heard these students and I’m passionate about their hopes that they can engage Le Moyne as a community to say this needs to change,” Phillips said. “I don’t like cleaning the bathroom in my own home, but you have folks that have to clean 18 bathrooms. It’s a thankless job, and all we’re saying is that, those people should make a living wage and be able to feed their family and have a little money to put some shoes on their children’s feet.”
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2012/12/06/living-wage-debate-begins-at-le-moyne/#sthash.lgOS5lLP.dpuf
Support our campus workers
Andreya Matthew, Staff Writer
February 14, 2013
Filed under News & Features
Maintenance workers on campus continue to fight for a change in the current pay and benefit policy. SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 200United, the Janitors union, setup a candle light vigil on Wednesday January 30th at Homer Wheaton Park. Which actually turned into a glow stick vigil instead due to the rainy conditions. Despite the rain approximately 50 people still showed up to support the workers?
The crowd included Le Moyne students, Le Moyne faculty specifically adjunct education professor in, Mary Ellen Andrews who shared a few words. In addition, two city council members, Jean Kessner, Helen Hudson, attended.
The vigil opened with a local priest saying a prayer to bless all of the workers and their families. Following the prayer Scott Phillipson, the executive director of the union and 1998 Le Moyne graduate thanked everyone for coming. Phillipson then encouraged everyone to call the Le Moyne College President, Fred Pestello, and urge him to demand that Eagle, the subcontractor that the janitors work for, treat the janitorial staff with more respect and give them the wages and benefits they deserve.
“What we see from Eagle is a systematic approach to treat people who come from other countries very poorly,” Phillipson stated. “And that’s unacceptable to us as a union, and we believe not only is it unacceptable to us as a union, it should be unacceptable to Le Moyne.”
Acho Urufle a janitor who works for Eagle shared stories of the unfair treatment he has received. He told stories of suffering from permanent eye damage due to the cleaning chemicals splashing him in the eye and not having healthcare to get it treated. Urufle also shared how he is given way more work than hours which makes it hard to finish his work in only five hours. He explained how he is yelled at, shown a lack of empathy when his mother passed away and accused of lying about her death, and treated in poorly in many other ways.
Some Le Moyne students have stepped up and voiced their support for the union workers. David Palmer, senior and SGA(Student Government Association) Representative said a few words, “I’m just supporting the workers because I think it’s right that they deserve a living wage, some of them are working three or four different jobs and I don’t really think it’s fair.” Palmer continued, “They should be able to work one job at Le Moyne and get benefits so that way they could have their kids go to Le Moyne.”
Junior, Lindsay Rexer, a member of Amnesty International, also went to show her support. “Amnesty got involved and we are supporting the janitors,” Rexer explained. “We’re working on setting up a meeting with Le Moyne so that a few students can get involved and just talk to the head of the problem and see what a small crowd can do before anything drastic.”
The union expressed their appreciation for all who came out to support and Phillipson encouraged individuals in the Le Moyne community once again to call the President of Le Moyne and urge him to work to change the current working conditions for Eagle employees.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/02/14/support-our-campus-workers/#sthash.O2GVbNuq.dpuf
Andreya Matthew, Staff Writer
February 14, 2013
Filed under News & Features
Maintenance workers on campus continue to fight for a change in the current pay and benefit policy. SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Local 200United, the Janitors union, setup a candle light vigil on Wednesday January 30th at Homer Wheaton Park. Which actually turned into a glow stick vigil instead due to the rainy conditions. Despite the rain approximately 50 people still showed up to support the workers?
The crowd included Le Moyne students, Le Moyne faculty specifically adjunct education professor in, Mary Ellen Andrews who shared a few words. In addition, two city council members, Jean Kessner, Helen Hudson, attended.
The vigil opened with a local priest saying a prayer to bless all of the workers and their families. Following the prayer Scott Phillipson, the executive director of the union and 1998 Le Moyne graduate thanked everyone for coming. Phillipson then encouraged everyone to call the Le Moyne College President, Fred Pestello, and urge him to demand that Eagle, the subcontractor that the janitors work for, treat the janitorial staff with more respect and give them the wages and benefits they deserve.
“What we see from Eagle is a systematic approach to treat people who come from other countries very poorly,” Phillipson stated. “And that’s unacceptable to us as a union, and we believe not only is it unacceptable to us as a union, it should be unacceptable to Le Moyne.”
Acho Urufle a janitor who works for Eagle shared stories of the unfair treatment he has received. He told stories of suffering from permanent eye damage due to the cleaning chemicals splashing him in the eye and not having healthcare to get it treated. Urufle also shared how he is given way more work than hours which makes it hard to finish his work in only five hours. He explained how he is yelled at, shown a lack of empathy when his mother passed away and accused of lying about her death, and treated in poorly in many other ways.
Some Le Moyne students have stepped up and voiced their support for the union workers. David Palmer, senior and SGA(Student Government Association) Representative said a few words, “I’m just supporting the workers because I think it’s right that they deserve a living wage, some of them are working three or four different jobs and I don’t really think it’s fair.” Palmer continued, “They should be able to work one job at Le Moyne and get benefits so that way they could have their kids go to Le Moyne.”
Junior, Lindsay Rexer, a member of Amnesty International, also went to show her support. “Amnesty got involved and we are supporting the janitors,” Rexer explained. “We’re working on setting up a meeting with Le Moyne so that a few students can get involved and just talk to the head of the problem and see what a small crowd can do before anything drastic.”
The union expressed their appreciation for all who came out to support and Phillipson encouraged individuals in the Le Moyne community once again to call the President of Le Moyne and urge him to work to change the current working conditions for Eagle employees.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/02/14/support-our-campus-workers/#sthash.O2GVbNuq.dpuf
Le Moyne kicks the butts off campus
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
October 10, 2013
Filed under News & Features, Top Stories
Beginning July 1, 2015, smokers and tobacco users on campus will either have to break the habit, or take it off campus. Here’s what to expect in the next two years.
The future of a tobacco-free Le Moyne is getting closer and more realistic. Though the campus won’t officially be tobacoo-free until July 1, 2015, the tobacco-free committee is planning an upcoming event to spread awareness about the new policy, and using these next two years to prepare students the best they can.
In April of 2013, the Student Government Association [SGA] passed a tobacco-free campus resolution, and handed it over to the college’s tobacco committee, which consists of a variety of members among the Le Moyne community and health professionals. It includes members of the SGA, Sodexo, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Health and Wellness Center, the Human Resources Office and the American Cancer Society. Over the summer, the committee was educated by smoking cessation counselors on how to support people who want to quit smoking. This new resolution will forbid all tobacco products from being used on the Le Moyne campus.
The committee members’ plan is to use the next two years until Le Moyne is officially tobacco-free efficiently, rather than waiting until the policy is active. In the first year, committee members would like to educate the campus community on the benefits of going tobacco-free, as well as spread awareness about the policy.
Their first event will be the “Great American Smoke Out,” an annual campaign started by the American Cancer Society. Each year, the third Thursday in November is designated as a day to encourage smokers to make a plan to kick the habit. This will be Le Moyne’s first year having a “Great American Smoke Out” after having announced the tobacco-free campus.
There will be tables at various locations on campus giving out free t-shirts promoting the policy, cold turkey sandwiches to encourage quitting “cold turkey” and information about the new campus-wide policy. There will also be smoking cessation counselors offering their services, including the distribution of nicotine patches and nicotine gum, as well as information and tips on how to quit. The tobacco committee says tobacco-users of the Le Moyne community aren’t required to attend, but they are strongly encouraged to.
“We don’t want it to be a negative impact,” said Cynthia Daniels, the nurse manager at Le Moyne’s wellness center and member of the smoke-free committee. “We want it to be a positive impact. And I think this is a positive for health, for their health, our health, for the college health.”
In 2014, one year before the policy becomes active, committee members will focus on making sure all students know about the policy and the rules are apparent across campus. Tobacco-free signs will be put up around campus as the July 1, 2015 date gets closer.
“If we’ve done a good job communicating and really disseminating the policy, we really expect that most people will enforce it on their own, like they do virtually every other Le Moyne policy that we have on campus,” said Jack Matson, the associate vice president for human resources at Le Moyne, and a member of the smoke-free committee.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/10/10/le-moyne-kicks-the-butts-off-campus/#sthash.Mxy6sFBL.dpuf
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
October 10, 2013
Filed under News & Features, Top Stories
Beginning July 1, 2015, smokers and tobacco users on campus will either have to break the habit, or take it off campus. Here’s what to expect in the next two years.
The future of a tobacco-free Le Moyne is getting closer and more realistic. Though the campus won’t officially be tobacoo-free until July 1, 2015, the tobacco-free committee is planning an upcoming event to spread awareness about the new policy, and using these next two years to prepare students the best they can.
In April of 2013, the Student Government Association [SGA] passed a tobacco-free campus resolution, and handed it over to the college’s tobacco committee, which consists of a variety of members among the Le Moyne community and health professionals. It includes members of the SGA, Sodexo, Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Health and Wellness Center, the Human Resources Office and the American Cancer Society. Over the summer, the committee was educated by smoking cessation counselors on how to support people who want to quit smoking. This new resolution will forbid all tobacco products from being used on the Le Moyne campus.
The committee members’ plan is to use the next two years until Le Moyne is officially tobacco-free efficiently, rather than waiting until the policy is active. In the first year, committee members would like to educate the campus community on the benefits of going tobacco-free, as well as spread awareness about the policy.
Their first event will be the “Great American Smoke Out,” an annual campaign started by the American Cancer Society. Each year, the third Thursday in November is designated as a day to encourage smokers to make a plan to kick the habit. This will be Le Moyne’s first year having a “Great American Smoke Out” after having announced the tobacco-free campus.
There will be tables at various locations on campus giving out free t-shirts promoting the policy, cold turkey sandwiches to encourage quitting “cold turkey” and information about the new campus-wide policy. There will also be smoking cessation counselors offering their services, including the distribution of nicotine patches and nicotine gum, as well as information and tips on how to quit. The tobacco committee says tobacco-users of the Le Moyne community aren’t required to attend, but they are strongly encouraged to.
“We don’t want it to be a negative impact,” said Cynthia Daniels, the nurse manager at Le Moyne’s wellness center and member of the smoke-free committee. “We want it to be a positive impact. And I think this is a positive for health, for their health, our health, for the college health.”
In 2014, one year before the policy becomes active, committee members will focus on making sure all students know about the policy and the rules are apparent across campus. Tobacco-free signs will be put up around campus as the July 1, 2015 date gets closer.
“If we’ve done a good job communicating and really disseminating the policy, we really expect that most people will enforce it on their own, like they do virtually every other Le Moyne policy that we have on campus,” said Jack Matson, the associate vice president for human resources at Le Moyne, and a member of the smoke-free committee.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/10/10/le-moyne-kicks-the-butts-off-campus/#sthash.Mxy6sFBL.dpuf
MLK Event: “Making a career of humanity”
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
February 13, 2014
Filed under News & Features
Imagine being friends with Martin Luther King Jr. and sitting on his porch just having a nice chat with him on a regular day. Imagine personally knowing the Kings and staying at their house to help them grieve the loss of Dr. King. For both key speakers this year at Le Moyne’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Feb. 3, this was reality.
Humanitarians Dr. Patricia Morrison Carey and Dr. Robert Carey were long-time friends of the Kings. From 1963-1964. Robert was an assistant minister to Martin Luther King Jr. and his father, known as “Daddy” King Sr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. Patricia is the associate dean for student affairs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. She is also a founder of the Association of Black Women in Higher Education and was their third president. But before that in 1963 she was recently engaged to Robert Carey and living in Chicago.
The event was attended by some Le Moyne students not participating in the event, but the majority were students from local high schools.
The Careys explained their passion for “making a career of humanity.” Patricia explained that she moved to Atlanta for love and was not prepared for the racial discrimination against her in the professional world and her relationship with Robert. Robert also expressed how they felt after King’s death and where they found the courage to continue the fight for civil rights.
“The individual has to believe in the cause,” Patricia said. “And we can’t put everything on a person, because Dr. King is no longer here and we’re still fighting for a beloved community. It’s because we believe in it.”
She expanded more at the reception following the event and talked about how there are many unsung heroes and people who motivated and participated in the fight for civil rights:
“[King] stood on somebody else’s shoulders. We didn’t just begin to fight for human rights and people’s rights when Dr. King was born. Our mothers and fathers and the slaves, they pushed us forward.”
Robert reminded everyone that King’s birthday being a holiday is meant to symbolize not only him but other leaders and the ideals behind the civil rights movement.
“You got to remember that beneath that,” Robert said, “what he’s come to symbolize is just an army of a lot of people, some of whom never went to Washington, didn’t do this, didn’t do that, but made a difference where they were.”
He also noted the parallels between the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement and the gay rights movement. Both Careys expressed their discontent for the subtle inequalities that exist in our country and society today. Fortunately, they use that as motivation to continue their career of humanity every single day.
Beth Scanlon, minister for social justice, Greg Mellor, minister for Faith Formation, Gloria Heffernan, Director of Service Learning and colleague of Morrison Carey, and Barbara Karper, Assistant Vice President for Campus Activities and Multicultural Affairs all had a hand in the event. Students, Zara Shaikh [‘16], Acheampong Johnson [’15], Simran Shikh [’16], Justin Snell [’15] and alumna Anwar Sabiha [‘13] recited sections of different King speeches. Then the students of the Praise and Worship team, Greg Mellor [‘15], and Emma Kirsch [’15] from Fermata Nowhere provided musical performances. Finally, Diane Ramjit [’14] delivered a benediction that expressed the importance of remembering not only Martin Luther King Jr. but his ideals for civil rights.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2014/02/13/mlk-event-making-a-career-of-humanity/#sthash.YrAtvYnW.dpuf
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
February 13, 2014
Filed under News & Features
Imagine being friends with Martin Luther King Jr. and sitting on his porch just having a nice chat with him on a regular day. Imagine personally knowing the Kings and staying at their house to help them grieve the loss of Dr. King. For both key speakers this year at Le Moyne’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration Feb. 3, this was reality.
Humanitarians Dr. Patricia Morrison Carey and Dr. Robert Carey were long-time friends of the Kings. From 1963-1964. Robert was an assistant minister to Martin Luther King Jr. and his father, known as “Daddy” King Sr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. Patricia is the associate dean for student affairs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. She is also a founder of the Association of Black Women in Higher Education and was their third president. But before that in 1963 she was recently engaged to Robert Carey and living in Chicago.
The event was attended by some Le Moyne students not participating in the event, but the majority were students from local high schools.
The Careys explained their passion for “making a career of humanity.” Patricia explained that she moved to Atlanta for love and was not prepared for the racial discrimination against her in the professional world and her relationship with Robert. Robert also expressed how they felt after King’s death and where they found the courage to continue the fight for civil rights.
“The individual has to believe in the cause,” Patricia said. “And we can’t put everything on a person, because Dr. King is no longer here and we’re still fighting for a beloved community. It’s because we believe in it.”
She expanded more at the reception following the event and talked about how there are many unsung heroes and people who motivated and participated in the fight for civil rights:
“[King] stood on somebody else’s shoulders. We didn’t just begin to fight for human rights and people’s rights when Dr. King was born. Our mothers and fathers and the slaves, they pushed us forward.”
Robert reminded everyone that King’s birthday being a holiday is meant to symbolize not only him but other leaders and the ideals behind the civil rights movement.
“You got to remember that beneath that,” Robert said, “what he’s come to symbolize is just an army of a lot of people, some of whom never went to Washington, didn’t do this, didn’t do that, but made a difference where they were.”
He also noted the parallels between the civil rights movement, the women’s rights movement and the gay rights movement. Both Careys expressed their discontent for the subtle inequalities that exist in our country and society today. Fortunately, they use that as motivation to continue their career of humanity every single day.
Beth Scanlon, minister for social justice, Greg Mellor, minister for Faith Formation, Gloria Heffernan, Director of Service Learning and colleague of Morrison Carey, and Barbara Karper, Assistant Vice President for Campus Activities and Multicultural Affairs all had a hand in the event. Students, Zara Shaikh [‘16], Acheampong Johnson [’15], Simran Shikh [’16], Justin Snell [’15] and alumna Anwar Sabiha [‘13] recited sections of different King speeches. Then the students of the Praise and Worship team, Greg Mellor [‘15], and Emma Kirsch [’15] from Fermata Nowhere provided musical performances. Finally, Diane Ramjit [’14] delivered a benediction that expressed the importance of remembering not only Martin Luther King Jr. but his ideals for civil rights.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2014/02/13/mlk-event-making-a-career-of-humanity/#sthash.YrAtvYnW.dpuf
You Are Not Alone week inspires, and encourages students
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
September 19, 2013
Filed under News & Features, Top Stories
Last week, students and faculty focused on bringing a lasting awareness of the importance of supporting one another in the Le Moyne College community and appreciating each other’s differences. It was Le Moyne’s fourth annual You Are Not Alone [YANA] week.
YANA is a week-long campaign, originally started at Le Moyne in response to the suicide of a freshman at Rutgers University. According to www.nj.com, freshman Tyler Clementi’s suicide was a result of humiliation and bullying for his sexual orientation. In an effort to protect all of their students from that harm, the Le Moyne community expanded YANA to stand for anti-bullying, no matter the insult.
“A lot of people have this misconception that YANA is only for the LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] community, but that’s not the case,” Amelia Hoffman, area director of Nelligan Hall, Mitchell Hall and the Townhouses, said. “Bullying affects everyone.”
“Too often in my office students come in and say ‘I feel like I’m the only one going through this,’” Hoffman added.
To diminish that feeling of loneliness and make students realize they, indeed, are not alone, the week included activities to emphasize care and encouragement.
The awareness fair by the Health and Wellness Center and the Office of Academic Advising and Support provided students with different opportunities. Additionally, there was the “Dear Le Moyne” project outside the cafeteria. Students were encouraged to stop by and anonymously share a personal encounter they or someone they know had with bullying or discrimination. Some students even shared positive messages as well.
In addition to these positive messages outside the cafeteria, the quad’s sidewalks were chalked-full of encouraging messages. The club, Pride in Our Work, Ethnicity and Race [P.O.W.E.R.] also filled the tunnel connecting the Coyne Science Center and Grewen hall with positive Post-It notes conveying messages to support YANA week.
Meanwhile, during the midweek several students and faculty attended a talk by Dr. Maura Cullen, author of “35 Dumb Things Well Intended People Say.” Cullen focused on numerous issues such as how to approach diversity in an appropriate way, how the smallest thing, like saying hi to someone, can make a difference in their life, along with other advice. Cullen also shared her personal story during her talk.
Following this talk about diversity was a diversity summit led by Hoffman and sponsored by Creating Awareness and Reaching Equality [C.A.R.E.], P.O.W.E.R. and El Progresso. Students discussed why diversity is important and worked to understand one another’s views.
Junior Michelle Mitchell said, “I think it was very eye-opening. I think it was really good to hear from everybody why they thought diversity is important and why it matters to them, and why it is important to the community as a whole.”
Hoffman presented several scenarios challenging bullying, discrimination and student’s ability to stand up for one another.
One of the students helping to facilitate this event was junior Katherine Bakhuizen, president of C.A.R.E.
“To me, YANA is learning about finding community with those who are similar and different, making sure that people understand that you are not alone…you are literally not alone, and that there’s always someone out there,” she said. “No matter how hard, or awful things may be in your life, there is always someone there to give you a helping hand.”
YANA week was wrapped up with a candlelight vigil on the quad on Friday, Sept. 13. The vigil was opened with the musical talents of the Le Moyne a capella group, Fermata Nowhere. Hoffman facilitated the vigil.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/09/19/you-are-not-alone-week-inspires-and-encourages-students/#sthash.GbXjMm62.dpuf
Andreya Matthew '14, Staff Writer
September 19, 2013
Filed under News & Features, Top Stories
Last week, students and faculty focused on bringing a lasting awareness of the importance of supporting one another in the Le Moyne College community and appreciating each other’s differences. It was Le Moyne’s fourth annual You Are Not Alone [YANA] week.
YANA is a week-long campaign, originally started at Le Moyne in response to the suicide of a freshman at Rutgers University. According to www.nj.com, freshman Tyler Clementi’s suicide was a result of humiliation and bullying for his sexual orientation. In an effort to protect all of their students from that harm, the Le Moyne community expanded YANA to stand for anti-bullying, no matter the insult.
“A lot of people have this misconception that YANA is only for the LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] community, but that’s not the case,” Amelia Hoffman, area director of Nelligan Hall, Mitchell Hall and the Townhouses, said. “Bullying affects everyone.”
“Too often in my office students come in and say ‘I feel like I’m the only one going through this,’” Hoffman added.
To diminish that feeling of loneliness and make students realize they, indeed, are not alone, the week included activities to emphasize care and encouragement.
The awareness fair by the Health and Wellness Center and the Office of Academic Advising and Support provided students with different opportunities. Additionally, there was the “Dear Le Moyne” project outside the cafeteria. Students were encouraged to stop by and anonymously share a personal encounter they or someone they know had with bullying or discrimination. Some students even shared positive messages as well.
In addition to these positive messages outside the cafeteria, the quad’s sidewalks were chalked-full of encouraging messages. The club, Pride in Our Work, Ethnicity and Race [P.O.W.E.R.] also filled the tunnel connecting the Coyne Science Center and Grewen hall with positive Post-It notes conveying messages to support YANA week.
Meanwhile, during the midweek several students and faculty attended a talk by Dr. Maura Cullen, author of “35 Dumb Things Well Intended People Say.” Cullen focused on numerous issues such as how to approach diversity in an appropriate way, how the smallest thing, like saying hi to someone, can make a difference in their life, along with other advice. Cullen also shared her personal story during her talk.
Following this talk about diversity was a diversity summit led by Hoffman and sponsored by Creating Awareness and Reaching Equality [C.A.R.E.], P.O.W.E.R. and El Progresso. Students discussed why diversity is important and worked to understand one another’s views.
Junior Michelle Mitchell said, “I think it was very eye-opening. I think it was really good to hear from everybody why they thought diversity is important and why it matters to them, and why it is important to the community as a whole.”
Hoffman presented several scenarios challenging bullying, discrimination and student’s ability to stand up for one another.
One of the students helping to facilitate this event was junior Katherine Bakhuizen, president of C.A.R.E.
“To me, YANA is learning about finding community with those who are similar and different, making sure that people understand that you are not alone…you are literally not alone, and that there’s always someone out there,” she said. “No matter how hard, or awful things may be in your life, there is always someone there to give you a helping hand.”
YANA week was wrapped up with a candlelight vigil on the quad on Friday, Sept. 13. The vigil was opened with the musical talents of the Le Moyne a capella group, Fermata Nowhere. Hoffman facilitated the vigil.
- See more at: http://thedolphinlmc.com/news-features/2013/09/19/you-are-not-alone-week-inspires-and-encourages-students/#sthash.GbXjMm62.dpuf