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Togetherness While Socially Distancing

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Natalia Velásquez, M.S., Outreach Coordinator || Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the technical definition of social, or physical, distancing is “keeping a safe space (e.g., six feet) between yourself and other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces.” However, what does “social distancing” mean to social beings like us, especially when social support has been repeatedly proven to be such a critical resource for our psychological health? What can social distancing even look like so that we can balance not only the physical health and safety of ourselves and others, but also for our psychological health and well-being?

Many college students have likely moved from their childhood homes to a university where they may have expected to create relationships with faculty, friends, peers, colleagues, partners, etc. Whether these social connections were anticipated to be created during classroom learning, walks through the botanical gardens; soccer games; lunch breaks at PDH; fraternity/sorority gatherings; or other academic, social, or service organizations, all of us desire, and likely need, meaningful doses of social connection and support in our lives. 

So how do we create meaningful relationships at a “social distance,” so that we can prioritize safety and health while also providing space for insightful conversations, entertainment, joy, laughter, and love? 

During times like these, creativity is your best friend, so have fun with it! Maybe plan a weekend game night with friends, when classes have paused and self-care is needed. Organize a Zoom yoga session with classmates and screenshare a YouTube video that the group can follow along. Call your close family member or friend once a week while taking a walk “together” (you can walk through the botanical gardens and they can choose their favorite spot). Have a spaced-out beach date where everyone brings a snack and you decompress by the waves. There are also multitudes of multiplayer games (e.g., Jackbox, Animal Crossing, COD) that can be played online via Zoom, as well as socially distanced activities that can be enjoyed outside such as park walks, beach hangouts, and fitness challenges. 

Please consider these questions as you organize socially distanced activities: 

  • Are you and your family/friends comfortable being physically together while at a distance? If not, consider virtual activities!
  • What activities do you typically like? Try and make it distance friendly or virtual!
  • How can you make this activity socially distanced friendly? Be creative!

If you find yourself having significant difficulties during your time at Florida Tech, please remember your student counseling center as we are here for you! CAPS provides a variety of mental health and wellness services to assist you and other students in successfully reaching personal, academic, and career goals.  Please take a moment to visit our website:  https://www.fit.edu/counseling-and-psychological-services/, which includes information on how to request services, as well as many other resources for emotional health and well-being. Our services are highly utilized and encouraged, so that you can be the healthiest Florida Tech Panther you can be!

Social distancing, isolation and stress: what it’s like and how to manage

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Irritability. Sadness. Loss of appetite. These are a few signs and symptoms individuals may experience due to social distancing and isolation, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 

“Feeling lonely or isolated can be a crippling sensation,” Erika Pobee-Mensah, the outreach coordinator for Florida Tech’s Counseling and Psychological Services, said in an email.

According to the SAMHSA, signs of stress include: increased irritability, trouble sleeping, or having difficulty communicating; physical signs like headaches, loss of appetite, or being easily startled; and emotional signs like feelings of guilt, anger, and overwhelming sadness.

This stress can lead to changes in sleep or eating patterns, worsening of chronic health problems, and increased use of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Pobee-Mensah said that students may alleviate feelings of anxiety by scheduling time to worry, and pursuing alternative behaviors like classwork, exercising, or playing music outside of that scheduled time. 

Gianna Petrazzulo, a junior studying biomedical science, said that it has been difficult to adjust from going out regularly to staying inside most of the time.

Petrazzulo has found some positivity in social distancing; she’s used her extra time to do things she enjoys, like creating art and playing video games. 

“I feel like I have a lot of time on my hands to focus on myself,”  Petrazzulo said, “it’s rekindled my creative side.”

To alleviate outbreak-related stress, the CDC also recommends establishing a routine of well-balanced meals and regular sleep and exercise. 

Pobee-Mensah stated that many individuals are experiencing feelings of grief during this time of isolation, whether it be due to the loss or illness of a loved one, or the loss of work, income or social interaction. 

“Whatever grief or loss you can identify, it is important to give yourself time to grieve and express these emotions,” Pobee-Mensah said. “Allow yourself to cry, to scream into a pillow, to call up someone and vent, or to write about how this pain feels.”

In addition to reaching out to friends and family, Pobee-Mensah said students may benefit from virtual socialization methods such as group chats, or multiplayer gaming. Gaming engagement has seen an uptick; concurrent users of gaming distribution service Steam exceeded 24 million multiple times between April 12 to 18, according to the Steam Database. 

The CDC advises taking breaks from news consumption relating to the pandemic, including the use of social media. The National Alliance on Mental Illness further advises managing how one consumes information; the organization states that “false information spreads very easily on social media and can have serious consequences for individual and public health.”

The SAMHSA advises making time for conversation unrelated to the outbreak, in addition to sharing emotions related to the outbreak and exchanging reliable health information. 

“Take a moment to put your doubts aside and reach out to friends or family,” Pobee-Mensah said, “Strike up a conversation with an old friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.”

The CDC states that those at higher risk for serious illness, including older adults and people with underlying health conditions, may experience higher stress levels. These individuals may become concerned that regular medical care could be disrupted.

As many individuals experience feelings of anxiety, stress, and grief, Pobee-Mensah advises staying connected: “If you are in need, ask for help from family, friends, or your local community.” 

This article was edited to correct the spelling of a source’s name. The previous version displayed “Petravvulo” where the article now reads “Petrazzulo.”

Summertime coping

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By Erika Pobee-Mensah, M.S., Outreach Coordinator, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

In wrapping up this topsy-turvy semester, there is a long three month stretch on the horizon. Being mindful that ordinary summer plans might look different this summer, we want to offer some ideas on how to beat boredom and cope with the difficulties that might arise from being at home more frequently. While some students live independently or with friends, many students have preemptively moved back to their family homes. Even those with great family/roommate relationships can run into conflict after spending too much time together. Here are some tips for coping with spending more time at home and ideas for how to keep yourself engaged in activities while social distancing.

Find a space of your own. Having an area for yourself can help to create some distance from others when you need it. Perhaps your space is your bedroom. If you do not have your own bedroom, perhaps your bed, desk, a comfy bean bag chair, or a cozy corner of a shared bedroom will suffice. Wherever your space is, make it your own by adding a few “feel good” items or decorations, such as inspirational quotes, a journal for jotting down your feelings, a soft blanket or pillow, a scented candle, books/magazines that you enjoy reading, printed pictures of friends/family members, and/or posters/pictures of celebrities, characters, or TV shows you like. This will help give you a special space in which to unwind.

Practice healthy communication. Try using “I” statements when expressing yourself. For instance, “I am worried about my upcoming exams. I’m wondering if we can brainstorm ways to keep the house quiet while I’m studying” or “I feel frustrated when we argue about cleaning. I want to do my part in keeping the house clean—can we create a plan that works for everyone?” Also practice active listening by taking a moment to remain quiet and allow other people to express themselves. Show you are listening by nodding, a simple “mm hm” and making eye contact. Avoid trying to make someone feel differently–accept how they feel, while also acknowledging your emotions. 

Compromise. Focus on facts and simple adjustments that can be made that are realistic to your situation. Maybe you have young siblings who cannot stay quiet during the daytime. You could use headphones to block out noise, spend time outside on a patio or take a walk, or even crack the windows of a car and sit inside to take a phone call to get some privacy. Additionally, offering to help around the house might be worthwhile in maintaining peace. Doing chores, caring for the family pet, or playing with your siblings to give your parents a break can help other house members decrease their stress. Less stress equals more harmony.

Stay engaged. If you are looking for ways to beat boredom, consider creative ways to stay busy. Perhaps you could take a summer job in an essential field, such as food delivery or grocery stores. Try looking into volunteer opportunities that might still be available, such as through food drives with local community centers or churches. This could also be a great time to explore a new hobby or business pursuit (perhaps practicing code or working on a Youtube channel). Additionally, spending quality time by yourself and engaging in self-care can also be important. 

Stay connected. Set up virtual hang outs with friends/family until you can spend time together in person again. Take a moment to check in with old friends with a text, phone, or email. While social media can be a great way to connect, avoid it if you find yourself feeling worse due to self-comparisons or becoming upset by other peoples’ posts. Now can be a great time to get creative with socializing—perhaps try a drive-in meet up with a friend while social distancing in your cars. Or, break up the monotony of homelife by engaging in a family activity or a fun game with your roommates.

However your summer looks, we hope these tips are helpful in navigating changes while still enjoying some summer fun! On behalf of CAPS, we wish you a successful exam week and a happy summer break.

Resilience: We Got This

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Erika Pobee-Mensah, M.S., Outreach Coordinator, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

Resilience is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Some of us are fortunate to naturally have this characteristic. These are people who might be able to overcome relationship difficulties, school and work stress, or even more trying difficulties, such as a traumatic experiences, fairly well without prolonged emotional distress. Conversely, some people have limited resiliency. These are people who might ruminate and overthink about what went wrong, constantly asking “why is this happening to me?” These thoughts can make people feel helpless and worsen overall well-being. While some of us find it more difficult to be resilient, we can certainly develop skills to build up our resiliency, similarly to the way we exercise to build muscle. It takes daily practice and regular reminders, but with a combination of motivation and skills, even those who find it very difficult to overcome hardship can build up their resiliency. 

The American Psychological Association identifies four main components to resilience: connection, wellness, healthy thinking, and meaning. Here are some ideas on how to start building these components:

Connection: It is important to continue to prioritize your relationships with others. Difficult times can often cause us to retreat from social interactions. Thus, being able to combat this tendency is important to foster meaningful connections with other people, which can help build resilience. Make a point to reach out to friends, family, and loved ones.

Wellness: Remember to prioritize taking care of yourself, physically and emotionally. Eat nutritious meals regularly, stay active most days of the week, and practice mindful activities such as journaling, yoga, or prayer/meditation. 

Healthy Thinking:  Practice identifying irrational thoughts, or thoughts that are not based on facts, and challenging them with more rational thinking. Sometimes we find our irrational thoughts come from realistic fears or concerns related to an upsetting event.  Practice accepting the fact that the event occurred and acknowledging that circumstances that led to it cannot be changed. Then, spend time focusing on the things you can change that are in the present (i.e., the way you cope with your experiences moving forward).

Meaning: Gaining a sense of purpose/meaning can be helpful in fostering your own self-worth when overcoming an adverse experience. Finding meaning can come through helpful charity work, connecting with others through providing or seeking emotional support, or sometimes making career choices that support a deeper cause. 

While changing the way you cope may be difficult at first, building resilience can be helpful in overcoming future difficulties and improve your overall wellness. Take a moment to practice some behaviors that support your resiliency. And remember…we got this, and we are in this together! For more information on resiliency, visit: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience


Sexual assault victims identify issues beyond reporting errors

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By: Olivia McKelvey and Emily Walker

Five female undergraduate students said they were sexually assaulted between 2017 and 2018 and all reported their sexual assaults through various departments at Florida Tech. While their statistics have now been corrected in the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety reports, they expressed concerns relating to the process of reporting sexual assault on campus and how survivors are treated.

“To think that all three of us are standing here with the commonality that we were all raped,” one Florida Tech rape survivor said. Photo//Quang Dinh

“I feel better now that my rape is a recognized statistic,” said Nicole Farnsworth, a former Florida Tech student who reported her rape in 2018.

Farnsworth said that as a rape survivor, she felt Florida Tech did not provide her the adequate resources in areas such as counseling and Title IX services.

Other survivors also cited issues within Security, the Student Life Office and Greek Life. 

CAPS
Four out of the five rape survivors sought help at Florida Tech’s Counseling and Psychological Services. The four survivors all said they felt as though CAPS was not properly trained to help victims of sexual assault. 

Dr. Robyn Tapley, director of CAPS, noted that there are three licensed psychologists on staff and five students in doctoral practices that also see patients. 

When these victims of sexual assault sought help at CAPS, they said they felt as though the discussions they had with their counselors—who are confidential reporters and not mandated to report rape unless there are signs of child or elder abuse—were irrelevant and not helpful.

“We ended up talking about my family,” said one rape survivor. “I just wanted to understand what was happening,” she said.

Farnsworth said that she experienced something similar.

“After a few sessions at CAPS, it just got so repetitive and redundant to the point where I felt like it wasn’t helping,” Farnsworth said. 

Tapley explained that victims of sexual assault are treated the same as other patients in terms of gathering information. 

“That first appointment is helpful for establishing goals and providing coping mechanisms on a very individualized patient-by-patient basis,” Tapley said. 

Another issue that the survivors spoke of referred to a generalized treatment plan of “blanket coping mechanisms.”  

“It should not be one shoe fits all,” said one rape survivor.

Another survivor of rape stated that she went to CAPS multiple times, but later stopped going. 

“I don’t put blame on the therapist, I just think there are things at CAPS that can and should be improved,” she said. 

Security

One student who said she was raped in 2017 initially reported to Title IX in 2018 and had a disciplinary hearing seven months later. 

When she reported her rape to two security officers, she said she was asked questions about what she was wearing and if she was drinking alcohol the night that her rape occurred.

“Especially during my hearing, the fact that I was drinking was constantly brought up,” she said. “It was degrading to my character to hear that over and over again.”

“The process of reporting my rape was nearly as bad as the rape itself,” said one Florida Tech rape survivor. Photo// Quang Dinh

Erin Robinson, the press secretary for RAINN—the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network—explained that depending on how the victim interprets them, questions regarding what the victim was wearing and whether or not they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs is potentially re-traumatizing.

“That type of language does not suggest that the survivor will have a greater level of comfort talking about what happened to them, or make the reporting process any easier,” Robinson said. 

Frank Iannone, director of security at Florida Tech, said it is not typical for these questions to be asked during an investigation of a rape.

“To my knowledge, no security officers have asked those types of questions,” Iannone said. 

Iannone has been director of security at Florida Tech since the spring of 2019. He was not working at the university during the time in which all reported rapes mentioned by the above students took place.

Title IX

Two women who reported their rapes in 2017 stated that they had positive interactions with the Title IX coordinator at the time, Joni Oglesby.

“She made me feel comfortable and made me aware of all my options,” said one rape survivor.

Oglesby left the university in 2018, and Linda Jancheson took her place that February. As of January 2020, Jancheson has been removed from the position of Title IX coordinator. 

“I won’t believe for a second that Linda Jancheson received proper training,” said one student who reported being raped in her dorm in 2018. “I was handed some generic papers and told to be on my way.”

In August of 2019, Jancheson told The Crimson that she specifically had a Title IX certificate, but was unsure if it was mandatory, deeming it “helpful.”

“The most important thing is that I’m up-to-date on any federal regulations or laws in compliance with Title IX,” Jancheson said.

Another rape survivor said she had a positive experience with Jancheson.

“She even helped me avoid running into my rapist by giving me security clearance to the back door of the building I had classes in and where my rapist also worked as a student employee,” she said.

In the time since Jancheson was removed from the position of Title IX coordinator, she has not commented despite multiple efforts made by The Crimson.

Office of Student Life

One student who said she was sexually assaulted in 2017 went to Cat Nanney, director of student involvement, and Dean of Students Rodney Bowers for help. 

“The guy that sexually assaulted me was a brother from PIKE [Pi Kappa Alpha],” she said.

She added that she went to Nanney and Bowers to see if there was anything they could do, whether it be kicking him out of the fraternity or providing other consequences. 

“Both of them told me there was nothing they could do,” she said. “I was told that they have no control over chapter membership and that was it.”

According to Nanney, if a student comes to her with a report of sexual assault in Greek Life, it is dealt with on a student basis, not a fraternity basis. 

“I can’t hold the entire chapter accountable for one particular member,” Nanney said. 

Nanney also added that in the past she has gone directly to the fraternity national headquarters to notify them of the particular sexual assault report. 

Bowers also stated that he cannot remove members from Greek Life. As a mandated reporter, he must report cases of sexual assault to campus security and let them carry out their investigation. 

“Temporary measures” are an option that Bowers also mentioned. Referred to as interim measures in Florida Tech’s Title IX policy, such actions include access to counseling or mental health services, an order of no contact, residence hall relocation, adjustment of course schedules or work-study employment, a leave of absence, transportation arrangements or reassignment to a different supervisor or position.

Bowers said he “could not recall” if any “temporary measures” had been taken in the past three years.

Nanney said that she has not had to take any “temporary measures” within the past three years because those types of sexual assault reports have been passed onto the fraternity’s national organization for further review.

The student who said she was sexually assaulted by a member of Pi Kappa Alpha later was black-listed from the fraternity house and was told it was because she “was a liability.”

Two of the five students who have come forward said they were sexually assaulted by two different members of Florida Tech’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter in 2017. 

President of Florida Tech’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, Robbie Fraser-Caris, sent The Crimson the following statement:

“If any allegations of sexual misconduct arise, the chapter leadership places the accused member on administrative suspension pending the outcome of an investigation by the university or related authorities. The chapter supports any person who may have experienced sexual misconduct in reporting it to the appropriate authorities and/or to seek counseling and other forms of support services provided by the university and local organizations. For Zeta Sigma Chapter, the care, safety and well-being of our members and guests remain our top priority.”

Fraser-Caris also emphasized that all members of Florida Tech’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter have completed sexual assault prevention and intervention training and stated that “treating all persons with dignity and respect is critical” to the chapter. 

Response from President McCay

Changes have been made at Florida Tech in light of the university under-reporting certain crimes such as sexual assault from 2016 through 2018. Women’s self-defense classes on campus have begun, student athletes have recently received their annual Title IX training and programs such as writing love letters to rape survivors have been organized by Florida’s Tech student life office.

In the faculty senate meeting held on Jan. 14, President T. Dwayne McCay discussed the Clery Act. 

The faculty senate meeting minutes read: “McCay explained that there are lots of nuances when it comes to reporting.” He also said that there were six rapes within three years. He then “reiterated that all six cases involved alcohol, and all were between people that knew each other.” 

In a phone call to The Crimson, McCay said he felt it was necessary at the senate meeting to discuss the risk of drinking.

“When you drink too heavily and become inebriated, it can lead to problems,” McCay said.

According to a 2007 campus sexual assault study published by the U.S. Department of Justice, alcohol consumption by the victim is a major risk factor for sexual assault.

“One’s decision to drink or not to drink does not give someone the right to rape,” Farnsworth said. 

“My sexual assault continues to be minimized,” Farnsworth said. Photo//Quang Dinh

According to statistics published in the 2017 National Crime Victimization Survey conducted by the Department of Justice, eight out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim. 

“You know rape to be violent and aggressive from what we were taught or what was shown on TV, when in reality that is not always the case,” one Florida Tech rape survivor said.

“I wanted to dismiss any fears that some may think we have rapists running around on campus,” McCay told The Crimson. 

He said he wanted to emphasize in the faculty senate meeting that Florida Tech is a safe campus and students’ safety is a top priority to him.

With the topic of sexual assault being dicussed at the faculty senate meeting and on the agenda for the upcoming town hall, McCay spoke of the nature of rape itself.

“Rape is horrifying, but murder is worse,” he said over the phone.

McCay then emphasized that this situation is being addressed and necessary measures are being taken to ensure campus safety. 

CAPS Presents – Stop Feeling F.I.N.E.

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As we inch closer to exam week, it is easy to feel F.I.N.E.—Freaked out, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional. 

While the stress of exams and the holiday season might cause overwhelming feelings of needing to “get it all done,” it is important to remember that only so much can be completed in one day. College students are often faced with the temptation of pulling “all nighters,” assuming that the less sleep one gets, the better their performance will be on an exam. Instead, lack of sleep can actually decrease cognitive performance and memory, leading to more forgetfulness and mistakes while completing tests or papers. 

Rather than running on fumes, take a moment to consider taking care of yourself this exam season so that you can show up with a clear mind and put your best foot forward.

Here are some self-care tips to help you keep a sharp mind and positive attitude:

Work in shifts: Even if you are cramming, it’s hard to retain a large amount of information without giving time for memory consolidation. Consider taking short breaks between 5-15 minutes for every 45-60 minutes of studying/working.

Play study music: Music without lyrics can help break up the monotony of studying without being distracting. Consider free study tunes on YouTube, such as classical music, Chillhop or coffeehouse jazz.

Remember to eat: Being busy can easily turn into forgetting to eat, or eating too much junk food. Try to balance between the two by planning a break to go to the dining hall, or meal prepping. Even simple healthier quick snacks, like nuts, fruit, sparkling water instead of soda or protein bars can help keep you fueled and focused without the sugary crash.

Catch some Z’s: Resist the all nighter! Even a little bit of sleep is better than no sleep at all. If you find yourself having trouble overthinking while you try to sleep before an exam, try taking a moment to tense up your muscles, then slowly relax them. Do this for different muscle groups to help take your focus off of your thoughts. Or try paying attention to your five senses while taking slow, controlled breaths. Lastly, calming music or white noise can help with relaxation. Even searching “ocean waves” on YouTube and playing it while you fall asleep can be helpful.

Manage your worry: Some worry about exams is healthy and productive. It might help you to start studying NOW (*hint, hint*) as opposed to last minute. Unproductive worry comes when we have difficulty focusing on work or completing tasks. It might cause us to feel overwhelmed and lower confidence. Challenge the unproductive worry with helpful reminders that you will be okay, no matter the results:

“I studied as much as I could, now it is time to perform as best as I can.”

“My worth does not lie in any single course, assignment or test. I am still a good person even if I don’t perform as well as I would like.”

“Rather than overthinking, I am going to take this time to cope and reset so I can get in some productive study time later.”

We hope you find these tips helpful in navigating your end of semester to-do list. On behalf of CAPS, we wish you a successful end to your semester and a relaxing winter break!

Florida Tech fails to acknowledge reports of rape required under federal law

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By: Emily Walker, Olivia McKelvey, Kevin Boodoosingh

Florida Tech failed to acknowledge multiple reports of rape within the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports under the Clery Act.




  • The Campus Crime Statistics lists zero sex offenses have occurred in the in the past three years. If there have been cases of sexual assaults that were not included in the crime statistics, then that is a violation of the Clery Act. 

Two students have come forward with accounts of rape and how they reported their cases through Title IX and Security.

Their cases did not appear on the Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, which is in violation of the Clery Act.

What is the Clery Act:

In 1986, Jeanne Clery, a student at Lehigh University, was raped and murdered in her residence hall.

Four years later, the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 was established in order to create accountability for reporting violent crimes and providing transparency on campus crime statistics.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act—the Clery Act— is a federal law requiring United States colleges and universities to disclose information about crime on and around campuses.

Due to the fact that Florida Tech receives federal funding, it is required to publish an annual security report for both students and employees every Oct. 1.

What is included within the Clery report:

Florida Tech’s Office of Safety and Security prepares an annual report in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies such as Melbourne Police Department, Palm Bay Police Department and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Other university departments also work in collaboration with compiling crime reports and statistics such as the Title IX office.

The report is required to include data from the past three years on the following crimes:

  • Criminal homicides such as murder and non-negligent manslaughter and negligent manslaughter
  • Sex offenses such as rape, fondling, incest and statutory rape
  • Arrests and judicial referrals for liquor law violations, drug abuse violations and weapons law violations
  • The “other” category, which includes robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft and arson
  • The Violence Against Women’s Act—VAWA—is an amendment within Clery that expands the rights to campus survivors of sexual assault and includes the following crimes:
    • domestic violence
    • dating violence
    • stalking
  • Hate crimes, which include offense definitions relating to hate/bias-related crime, larceny, simple assault, intimidation and destruction/damage/vandalism of property

Clery cites that the following individuals on campus are Campus Security Authorities—also known as mandated reporters— a term created by the Clery Act that encompasses groups of individuals and organizations at Florida Tech:

  • Dean of Students
  • Director of Security
  • Security Department
  • Title IX Coordinator
  • Senior Vice President for Academic Administration
  • Chief of Staff
  • Athletics Director
  • Athletic Coaches
  • Office of Student Life
  • Director of Student Housing
  • Other Campus Security Authorities that have a “significant responsibility for student and campus activities.”

Clery geography:

Another factor Clery examines when categorizing data is geographical location of a specific crime.

Clery includes both on-campus and non-campus locations within the report.

An on-campus location is defined as any building or property owned or controlled by an institution, such as an academic building or dorm.

Non-campus geographic location can refer to any Florida Tech owned entity that is frequented by students.

The non-campus definition also includes campus leased or rented spaces for an event that was sponsored by the university or any building or property owned or controlled by a student organization that is officially recognized by the institution.

How Florida Tech violated the Clery Act:

In the 2019 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports, all sex offenses, including rape, were cited as zero for the past three years.

According to definition in Florida Tech’s 2019 Annual Safety and Fire Report, rape is defined as “the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

An anonymous student has gone on record and said that her rape, which occurred in 2018 on campus, was not included in the Clery report.

“I went into the Title IX office because I wanted this put down on record,” she said. “I wanted them to know that women are being assaulted and raped on this campus.” 

The student went to the health center and Counseling and Psychological Services, neither of which are mandated reporters.

She later went to Linda Jancheson, the Title IX coordinator, who reports to, as listed in Florida Tech’s organizational chart, VP/General Counsel.

“I spent 20 minutes waiting in the Title IX office, five minutes in Jancheson’s office and I left with three extra papers that I didn’t know what the hell meant,” the student said.

The student later talked to another Campus Security Authority and discussed her options with Security.

She ultimately decided not to take action against her rapist and no charges were filed in this case. 

Despite the student not taking action, according to Frank Iannone, director of security, whether or not a victim decides to pursue charges, a report is made regardless of the outcome.

When asked how many cases of rape have been reported to Jancheson for the past three years, she said, “I do not know the exact numbers.”

When asked how many Title IX reports Jancheson handed over to Security to include within this year’s Clery report, she said, “I do not know.”

The Title IX coordinator was asked these same questions two times, in two separate interviews, and responded with “I do not know,” in each instance.

Jancheson went on to say that she was not in the Title IX coordinator position when reports were made last year in 2018, though her start date was February of 2018.

Another anonymous source was raped in 2017 on campus and reported her rape to Security in 2018.

The student went through an investigation and disciplinary hearing, which took over one year and resulted in disciplinary action for her rapist. 

This student’s rape was also not included within this year’s Clery data. 

“Sitting down with two security officers not once, but twice to relive the details of my rape in depth and on record was anything but a warm environment as a victim,” she said. 

After her initial report, the student heard nothing for five months regarding the investigation and the scheduling of the disciplinary hearing.

“It was the worst experience of my life,” she said. “The process of reporting it was nearly as bad as my actual rape.”

It is not immediately known whether or not campus security filed these two reports of rape with local law enforcement.

Both sources will remain anonymous. The Crimson does not disclose the names of sexual assault survivors.

Repercussions for violating Clery:

According to a press release from the National Association of Clery Compliance officers and professionals, as of February 2019, the new amount that the U.S. Department of Education can impose for noncompliance with the Clery Act is $57,317 per violation. 

In 2016, Penn State was fined 2.4 million dollars for having been “out of compliance” for 11 serious cases dating from 1998 to 2011.

In 2018, the University of Montana was fined $966,614 for “inaccurate and misleading crime statistics” from liquior law violations to cases of rape between 2012 and 2015. 

Two anonymous students at Florida Tech have come forward to discuss their rapes in 2017 and 2018 and how they reported it to Security.

Those cases have not been cited within this year’s Clery report. 

Iannone said that from the statistics that are provided within this year’s Clery report, he feels the numbers accurately represent the campus.

If you have made a report to Security or Title IX and feel it has not been handled correctly, visit endrapeoncampus.org/the-clery-act to file a complaint.

As a student-run newspaper, your voices are extremely important to us.

If you feel you have experienced something similar as described in this piece and would like to speak with us, please contact us at crimson@fit.edu.

National Sexual Assault Hotline -1-800-656-4673
Women’s Center Counseling 321-242-1526

Walking with Gratitude

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Halloween is over, so you know what that means … Christmas! Just kidding. In between these two widely celebrated holidays, there is a meek holiday called Thanksgiving. 

While the face of Thanksgiving has changed over the years, many continue to celebrate traditions of remembering things for which they are grateful. This may seem a bit cliché, but the process of gratitude can actually help with managing stress, anxiety and depression. That’s right—the age-old tradition of being thankful is, in fact, a coping skill.

This November, take a moment to practice gratitude to help get you back to living in the moment and being mindful of the good things. Here are some gratitude activities/ideas that you can practice:

Gratitude Jar/Box: Decorate a jar or a tissue box in whatever way you wish. Then, on strips of paper, write at least three things throughout your day that you are grateful for and place it in your jar or box. It can be something as simple as your morning tea or coffee or as grand as your best friend. Over time, you will have a jar full of many reasons to be thankful for what you have. If you are ever feeling down, you can turn to your jar and read a few notes to remind yourself of who, and what, is good in your life.

Gratitude Journaling: Take a moment, maybe 2-3 times per week, to write down things you are grateful for. Try these prompts:

  • I am grateful for my family because…
  • Something good that happened this week…
  • I am grateful for my friendship with_________ because___________.
  • I am grateful for who I am because…
  • Something silly that I am grateful for…
  • Something else I am grateful for…

Gratitude Rock: Pick a rock, or another small object, such as a shell or a button, that represents what you are grateful for. Be sure to pick something you like to make it special for you. Carry the rock around in your pocket, place it on your desk or maybe wear it on a chain. Whenever you see or touch it, let it be a reminder to pause and think about at least one thing you are grateful for—whether it’s the sun shining on you or being able to go to college. When you remove the rock at the end of the day, take a moment to remember what you were grateful for throughout the day. Repeat this in the morning when you put it on again, remembering what you were grateful for yesterday.

Taking time to remember things you are grateful for can help bring focus off of anxious and negative thoughts. It can help you find a calm moment, which can help you better tackle your day-to-day life. Enjoy these gratitude activities or try some new ones you create on your own. Happy Thanksgiving!

CAPS Presents – Don’t Let Your Light Burn Out

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You’re busy, right?

Think of all the times you have used that as a reason to not do something.

“I can’t, I’m busy” or “I wish I could, but I’m busy” are phrases that are part of a typical college student’s vernacular.

Being busy is not a bad thing.

Many students thrive on having schedules, “to-do” lists, and several activities or responsibilities in which they are involved.

However, being busy can easily boil over into feeling stressed out, overwhelmed, or even burned out.

Many of us are familiar with feeling stressed or overwhelmed but burnout is a different type of feeling that many experience without knowing the lasting effects it can have.

Burnout occurs when you lose touch with the reasons why you are doing something in the first place.

You might feel apathetic, even cynical towards your work or people around you.

There is no clear cause of burnout, but the factors that influence burnout can include feeling overwhelmed or lacking control over your time, lack of social support, and school-life imbalance.

Feeling like you or a friend might be burned out?

Take a moment to reignite your flame.

Self-care is essential for managing a hefty course load along with other obligations, such as a part-time job, extracurriculars or volunteer work.

A great resource for students on-the-go is the Florida Tech Campus Wellness website.

It is loaded with resources to help you find and maintain balance and wellness.

Think of it as all of our campus resources packed into one site.

There are self-help resources for studying, career development, exercise, sleep, health, eating, and emotional wellbeing.

With the right resources, many students can make the minor adjustments they need to stay on track.

Campus Well is here to help connect you with those resources, whether from your phone, tablet, or laptop/ computer.

Take a moment to download the Campus Well app or visit the website and see how these easily accessible resources can prevent or reduce burnout and help you shine your brightest!

CAPS Presents: Lift Your Spirits

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Have you ever felt hollow or numb?

Have you ever felt like you were drowning while others around you kept afloat?

These are a few descriptions of how it can feel to have depression. Depression is often described as an emotional state (“I’m depressed” or “that’s depressing”).

However, clinical depression is a true mental health problem, which can be treated.

It’s normal to feel down or blue occasionally, but it’s important to note if you or a friend are experiencing more than regular sadness.

Remember, you don’t have to be “going through something” to have depression.

While people often feel sad after a break-up or a stressful life event, sometimes people experience depression without having any life stressors or triggers.

Some signs of depression might include feeling sad most days of the week, withdrawing from others, sleeping too little or too much and sometimes feeling irritable or agitated.

Curious whether you or a friend might have depression? Oct. 10 is National Depression Screening Day, and you may want to consider taking a screening to help make an informed decision about getting help.

CAPS offers free online screenings for depression and other mental health problems, which can be accessed by visiting our website.

Sometimes depression can cause you to have thoughts of wanting to die or feeling you/others might be better off if you were dead.

If you, or a friend, are experiencing this, do not wait to get help. For emergencies, always call 911.

You can also contact campus security at 321-674-8111 .

The following services are also available for 24/7 free and confidential support:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK/8255 — suicidepreventionlifeline.org
The Brevard 211 Helpline: dial 211-or- (321) 632-6688 — www.211brevard.org
The Crisis Text Line: text “Home” to: 741741 — www.crisistextline.org

Consultation services are also available at CAPS if you have concerns for yourself or a friend.

While depression can feel like an uphill battle, having the right knowledge, resources, and tools can help to lift your spirits and get back to fully living your life.

For more information regarding CAPS’ services and support, drop by our center, call us, or visit our website.