UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 13, Page 3
December 5, 1991
Civility team established to respond to hate crimes

     When someone is the victim of a hate crime or act of
intolerance, he or she feels violated, isolated and that no one
cares. We feel these persons need a support system to turn to when
these unfortunate incidents happen and that's the underlying reason
for a Civility Response Team," according to Wanda Anderson, area
coordinator in Housing and Residence Life.
     She is chairing the committee that has been working to
establish the Civility Response Team.
     Patterned after the Support Group for Victims of Sexual
Offense (S.O.S.), the civility team and professionals in housing
and residence life will be on call 24 hours a day, starting during
the spring semester.
     Volunteers will receive training in counseling, focusing on
the effects of oppression. They will help victims, using
self-awareness techniques, to regain their feelings of worth. Team
members will also refer victims to other support systems on campus.
The training sessions will take place for four hours per day for
nine days, divided into three, consecutive-day periods.
     Following the training sessions, team members will be on call
one or two weekends per semester. The remaining time will be
covered by Housing and Residence Life staff.
     Victims will be able to dial a number, get an answering
maching, leave their telephone number and then receive an immediate
response.
     "It is important that victims receive help as soon as possible
and have someone to turn to," Anderson said. "We think that
sometimes these acts happen and no one is aware of them because
they are not reported. In some instances, students or staff may
leave the University because of them.
     "By having the team in place, individuals will feel encouraged
to come forth and report these acts, whether they be homophobic,
anti-Semitic, racial or other kinds of hate crimes," Anderson said.
     Another goal of the team is to bring the campus community
together after one of these incidents, Anderson said.
     Others serving on the committee to establish the team are Mary
Brokenbrough, shop steward at the Ray Street complex; Vernese
Edghill, assistant dean of students and director of the Center for
Black Culture; Jim Grimes, training manager in Public Safety; and
from Housing and Residence Life, Kathleen Kerr, assistant area
coordinator; Mary C. Lane, area coordinator and Joe Puzycki,
assistant director. Paul Ferguson, assistant director of Student
Health Services, has acted as adviser to the committee.
     Applications for the team are available at the Center for
Black Culture, 192 South College Ave.; Housing and Residence Life,
5 Courtney St.; and the Office of Multicultural Programs, 124
Hullihen Hall. Deadline for applications is Dec. 13.
     For information about the team, call Wanda Anderson at
451-8496.
                                        - Sue Swyers Moncure