A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs
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Alcohol continues to be the number one abused drug on college campuses. Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness will facilitate events on campus and online October 20, 21, and 22, 2021. Look for our calendar of events on This Week and on the Health, Counseling, and Student Wellness website. For more information, please contact Siobhan Ryan Perry at ryanperrys1@nku.edu.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Fall Semester—A Time for Parents To Discuss the Risks of College Drinking | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). National Institutes of Health. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/time-for-parents-discuss-risks-college-drinking
The Norse Violence Prevention Center was recently awarded a continuation grant of $300,000 over the next three years to continue their work to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus. This grant, awarded by the Office of Violence Against Women in the U.S. Department of Justice, funds work in the NVP office to provide and enhance supportive interventions to students impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as sustain and enhance comprehensive prevention strategies that discourage further incidences of violence.
Kentucky is recognized as one of 13 states with the highest lifetime rates of victimization for women. Reported Fall 2020, a staggering 9.8% of NKU students reported ever having experienced unwanted sexual contact.
The grant will focus on four objectives, overseen by a project director and part-time advocate. The first objective is to provide and enhance survivor support services by offering confidential, 24-hour victim advocacy services, providing Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes, implementing a peer-based support group, conducting targeted outreach to underserved student groups, and ensuring accessibility of services via interpreter services. The second objective focuses on implementing and enhancing a comprehensive prevention strategy that addresses sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking, including mandatory prevention/education programming, bystander intervention programming, ongoing prevention programming, culturally relevant prevention and awareness programs for Black and LBGTQ students, and engagement strategies with male aligned members of campus. The third objective focuses on training NKU faculty/staff/administrators to respond effectively in a trauma-informed manner to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The final object focuses on the promotion of a coordinated campus/community response to sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, and stalking, especially by implementing an intervention team to identify high risk communities on campus. To learn more about programs offered by NVP, please visit their website for more information.
The grant was written by NVP Director Kendra Massey and NVP Advocate Emily Wright, supported by the NKU Office of Research, Grants, and Contracts.
October was first declared as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Since then, October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes.**
For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Norse Violence Prevention is hosting two campus-wide programs: Date the Rainbow (Oct. 20) and Mental Health Self-Care (Oct. 7). Date the Rainbow is an interactive and engaging program, participants will learn the aspects of a healthy and unhealthy relationships, the components of abuse and affirmative consent, statistics of sexual violence in the LGBTQIA+ community, relationship planning and the steps to being a supportive and empathetic partner.
Register Here
Each year, College Student Educators International (ACPA), recognizes colleagues nationwide who have made outstanding contributions to the profession, to the national professional organization, and to higher education. Established in 1999, the Diamond Honoree Program for ACPA has recognized some of the top leaders in Student Affairs from throughout the nation and the world.
For the 2022 Diamond Honoree class, Dr. Eddie Howard, Vice President of Student Affairs, was nominated for this prestigious award. According to ACPA, persons nominated for consideration are recognized for their outstanding and sustained contributions to higher education and to student affairs. They are persons who have had a continued and significant influence on the quality of college students' experience. The award is presented each year at the ACPA Annual Convention, which will be held in March 2022 in St. Louis, MO.
When a professional is nominated for this award, the nominator is responsible for helping to fundraise up to $2,500 in support of the nomination. This raised money is used to support burgeoning research and scholarly activities for ACPA to both help advance the profession and determine how future professionals can continue to serve and support college students throughout the nation.
We would like to offer our congratulations to Dr. Howard on this prestigious award!
By: Cindy Knox, Director of the Office for Student Accessibility
October is Disability Awareness Month. 1 out of every 4 adults in the United States has a diagnosed disability, making this population the largest minority population in the U.S.
The Office for Student Accessibility wants to encourage you to promote accessibility and inclusion by incorporating inclusive design into the framework of your courses, as well as utilizing appropriate language when addressing students. Language plays a key role in creating and maintaining attitudinal barriers that are harmful to persons with disabilities. This language may be the well-known person first language (e.g. student who has a learning disability) or, one that is quickly becoming the norm, that is, identity first (e.g. they identify as an autistic student) based on the student’s preference. Essentially, we want to focus on the individual and their identity versus focusing on the disability.
Negative perceptions and stereotyping of individuals with disabilities have been prevalent throughout society. Its presence on college campuses can be destructive and undermine the scholastic performance of the student, as well as reinforcing negative attitudes the student is working hard to overcome. Because of the detrimental role stereotyping can play in the experience of a disabled student, we must become more aware of such misconceptions and work to eliminate them from the system.
Three stereotypes or myths are common regarding people with disabilities:
Education and interactive engagement leads to thoughtful empowerment and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Let us continue to celebrate and foster this progressive movement during Awareness Month and throughout the year!
Adapted from: Butler University. (2019, February 26). Disability Awareness. Butler University, Student Disability Services. https://www.butler.edu/disability/etiquette
NKU was recently awarded the Childcare Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant, which provides programming and supplements for student parents or eliminates childcare costs for low-income student parents. The grant has been funded for $577,012 over the next four years.
Sponsored by the US Department of Education, this program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services. Funds are used to support or establish campus-based child care programs primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled in institutions of higher education. Grants may be used for before- and after-school services. In addition, grants may be used to serve the child care needs of the community served by the institution.
In combination with and extension of the previous CCAMPIS grant award, NKU will also be able to provide mental health counseling and peer mentors for student parents for the next 12 months. As a result, Brittany Combs has been has been recently hired to support the mental health needs of low-income student parents and to facilitate the creation of a new CCAMPIS peer mentorship program.
The grant was written by CCAMPIS Coordinator Jeannie Ritter and PAC Coordinator Amanda Johnson, with support from the NKU Office of Research, Grants, and Contracts.
As part of its ongoing commitment to safety on campus, Northern Kentucky University prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report (ASR) is available on the University Police website.
This report contains policy statements and crime statistics for NKU. The policy statements address the school’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations, crime prevention, fire safety, sexual offenses, as well as other matters of importance to the campus community.
The report includes crime statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in off-campus buildings, on property owned or controlled by NKU, or on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. Fire statistics for the previous three calendar years are also included.
You may request a hard copy of the report from the Northern Kentucky University Police Department at (859) 572-5746, or in writing to 419 Old Johns Hill Road, Highland Heights, KY 41099.
Each year Health, Counseling, & Student Wellness and NKU University Police partner to provide a safe place to dispose of unused, expired, or unnecessary medications. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications (DEA).
The event will take place in the Student Union Lobby on October 20, 2021, from 10:00a to 2:00p. Any questions please contact Siobhan Ryan Perry at ryanperrys1@nku.edu.
The April 2021 Take Back Day event brought in 839,543 lbs. (420 tons) of medication.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration's Diversion Control Division, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was established to address a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. The survey also showed that a majority of misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.
The DEA's Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.
To find another Take Back location near you, please use the search feature on the DEA's website.
Fall Break Hours
The Campus Rec Center is open during Fall Break. Please visit the Campus Rec website to see Fall Break hours for the Campus Rec Center, Membership Services, the Pool, and the Climbing Wall.
Did You Know?
You can still workout with Norse Fitness while working at home. We have Zoom classes and a variety of fitness classes available on NKU Campus Rec's YouTube Channel!
Upcoming Intramural Sports
Indoor Soccer League: Games are played on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in the Campus Rec Center starting Oct. 25. Register online by Oct. 19, 2021.
Dodgeball Tourney: Have a blast at this one-day tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Register online by Oct. 26.
Karaoke Night: Singing is not only for the shower! Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 at 6:00p in the Student Union for Karaoke Night! No registration is necessary; just show up to participate!
CRC Job Fair
Mark your calendars for the Campus Rec Job Fair on Wednesday, October 27, from 4:00p - 7:00p in the Campus Rec Center. We will have on-the-spot interviews and no registration is necessary!
Dr. Slaughter, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, successfully defended his dissertation in the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program at NKU. Dr. Slaughter will graduate in December 2021.
The Student Affairs team beat the defending champions, Campus Recreation, in the Big Pink Volleyball tournament that took place on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
COVID-19 Testing
Health Services has partnered with Gravity Diagnostics to provide walk-in COVID-19 testing for students, staff, and faculty, as well as their dependents and household members. Testing is available Monday through Friday, from 10:00a to 1:00p in UC 204. Photo ID is required, bring your insurance card if you have one.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
Health Services is continuing its walk-in Vaccination Thursdays program through October. COVID-19 vaccinations are available each Thursday from 11:30a to 1:00p in SU 324. Flu vaccinations are also available by appointment in Health Services by calling (859) 572-5650.
We encourage everyone to get vaccinated this Fall!
Upcoming Events
APB Halloween Movie Night: Oct. 20; 6:00p; Budig Theater
Pumpkin Bust: Oct. 27, 4:00p-6:00p; Register online by Oct. 20
National LGBTQ Center Awareness Day & International Pronoun Day
Wednesday, October 20; 11:00a-2:00p; Student Union 309
Join us outside the Center for Student Inclusiveness for ice cream, buttons, and giveaways.
Date the Rainbow - Healthy Relationships and the Queer Community
Wednesday, October 20; 3:00p-4:30p; Student Union 109/Zoom
Guest Speaker: Key Beck from Equitas Health
Register online
LGBTQ Mental Health (LU)
Thursday, Oct. 21; 3:00p; Student Union 109
Facilitated by LGBTQA+ Ambassador Quinn James
LGBTQ History Month - Fall Drag Show
Friday, Oct. 22; 7:00p; Student Union 107
Emcee: Sarah Jessica Darker
SGA LGBTQA+ Town Hall
Monday, Oct. 25; 6:00p; Location TBD
Hosted by the Student Government Association
NKLI Fundraiser
The Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute is hosting a Halloween Party on October 21, 2021, from 7:00p-10:00p in the Student Union Ballroom. There will be a DJ, snacks, a costume contest with prizes, and a LIVE Haunted House! Tickets are $5.00 until 12:00p (noon) on October 20. After that, tickets are $10.00. You can also add extra dollars to enter the split the pot! Each $5 ticket that you buy will grant entrance into the event and enter you to win one of the following prizes:
Please Venmo nku-nkli for tickets or visit the Center for Student Engagement, SU 316. For more information, please contact Divya at srinivasd1@mymail.nku.edu.
Norse-O-Ween
Be on the lookout for details for Housing's signature Halloween event, Norse-O-Ween. In an effort to continue this tradition, we are doing a combination of indoor and outdoor activities to promote COVID safety. Get your costumes ready to welcome children from the community and pass out candy in the Boothe Residential Village.
Norse-O-Ween will happen on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 6:30p-8:30p in the Boothe Residential Village.
RA Info Sessions
RA recruitment is right around the corner! Please begin talking to people who you think would be great RAs for our community. We are looking for student leaders who are natural relationship builders, passionate about the NKU experience, and are willing to invest in the success of their fellow Norse.
End of Newsletter
This newsletter was created by David Berland on behalf of NKU Student Affairs. Please direct questions, comments, or updates to berlandd1@nku.edu.
Northern Kentucky University
832 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-6447
Fax: (859) 572-1310
