UCF Stands for
Opportunity –
I love being a
part of this amazing university. My
work, along with that of many others to ensure the success of every student, is
resolute; it does not waiver and it’s not negotiable.
Our collective
work as members of this institution should be to advocate for and collectively
support a campus dedicated to the health, safety and success of every student,
faculty and staff member, as well as every other stakeholder that steps foot on
our beloved campus.
Over the last
nearly seven years, I have worked with some of the most amazing students. We’ve worked collectively to create programs,
policies, and initiatives focused on student success. Our collective work continues.
I am looking for
a force of “just minded students” who see their living and learning community
as a place where each student is critical as an important asset to the whole community. I need a force that believes that civility;
justice and safety should be experienced beyond the words spoken.
I want to co-create
a movement, owned by our students, lead by our students, and celebrated by our
students where their living and learning community is absent of sexual, dating,
and intimate partner violence, bullying, hazing, stalking, physical assault and
other forms of violence, because these are not an acceptable part of the
culture of this community. I need a
force of students who will demonstrate what it means to “Do the Knight Thing!”
Let’s start with
hazing and hazing. We’ve just ended “National
Hazing Prevention Week,” with re-commitments to intolerance of this behavior
from our students. Our institutional is
clear regarding its view of hazing. Hazing is an abuse of power and relationships, and its
purpose is to demean others. Hazing has no place at the University of Central
Florida.
One
researcher has described hazing as, “bullying with college credit.”
October begins “National
Anti-Bullying Month” or “Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.” Bullying doesn’t end at high school
graduation. In a recent study,
researchers found 15% of college students acknowledged being bullied, 22% said
they had been cyber-bullied and 42% stated they witnessed another student being
bullied and said nothing.
Our campus
should be bully-free and it should be violence-free.
Dr. Maribeth
Ehasz speaks with no hesitation when she states, “UCF succeeds only when we all
participate in setting and adhering to the highest standards of behavior. In doing so, we ensure that the UCF community
remains a vigorous center for intellectual engagement and growth.”
At
UCF, we pride ourselves on providing a safe and inclusive environment to our
students, faculty and staff. The UCF Creed - Integrity, Scholarship, Community,
Creativity, and Excellence are the core values that guide our conduct,
performance, and decisions.
I
believe this is what it means to “Do the Knight Thing!” We, as members of our community, must address
violence in all its forms and be willing to stand up, speak out, intervene and
address instances of violence when and where we see them.
There
are lots of reasons I hear not to intervene.
Some say, “Well, it’s not your business,” or “Don’t get involved where
you’re not wanted,” or “Don’t be a downer,” or “Look dude, you don’t want to be
a ‘cock blocker’ or something!”
The
lives, emotional well being and issues of safety may be at risk. Care enough about those you share this
community with to help them stay safe.
Being an “upstander” or bystander who has chosen to care about their
community and the people in it, demonstrates compassionate leadership and a commitment
to UCF’s CREED. The commitment of
preventing violence and promoting civility, health, and respect at UCF is a
call for creating student success.
Join my on the “Do the Knight Thing” Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/474317015922065/
Trigger Warning!!! Bullied youth fights back!
