Oregon State University - Beaver Yearbook (Corvallis, OR)

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EDUCATING OUR CAMPUS 'Warning: one in four women will he raped by the time they graduate from college. ‘This star-tlittg statistic is exactly why ASOSU's Saferide exists at Oregon State 'University. Saferide is an ASOSU ‘Taskjforce that began in 1987 and was modeled after a similar program at the University of Oregon. It consists of women and men with a common mission: to educate the OSU community about sexual assault. Saferide s undertaking of this goal is attained in two ways: rape education programs and a nightly transportation sendee for women. “Educating people is one main objective of Saferide. “Bgpe education programs are offered to anyone or any group that would like to know more about sexual assault. The presenters, “Program “Director Meerta “Petschi and‘J(ape “Education Coordinator “Melissa “Burgess cover topics such as date rape, sexual pressures, and myths about rape. “Petschi, who sensed her second term as “Program “Director last year, has talked to classes, residence halls, co-ops, sororities and fraternities, ASOSU leaders, andfaculty. The second objective ofSaferide on the OSU campus is to provide a nightly van service, “funded through student fees and donations, this van proindessafe transportation for women any-where on campus, and to-andfrom campus and their home. The van senhee is available every night from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. (with the exception of finals week.and major holidays). It has been estimated that between 50 and 70 women use Saferide every night. 'In providing this service, I dlikf to think, that we do decrease the numbers. Women are at From her passenger seat. Kimberly Merit tti a Saferide driver, calls to the dispatcher back at the office to let them know the riders at Buxton are safely boarding the van. Photo by Kimbf.rly Johnston least safe on the van sennee and they get home safely, but from then on I can t speak ' stated “Petschi, on the effectiveness of Saferide in decreasing the number of sexual assaults on campus. “The safe atmosphere of the Saferide van is something that is definitely appreciated by stdents on campus. 7 think.it s really good that there is the senhee every night here. It s like peace of mind knowing that women here haw a safe option at night to get places, ’said Tenley “Elliot, freshman in “Exploratory Studies and Saferide user. When asked about complaints that it is a sexist organization because only women can use the van transportation, “Petschi said that the number of complaints in recent years have decreased and that the number of male supporters has increased. “January 22-26 marked the seventh annual “Rape Awareness Week, with the theme ““Break, the Silence: Stop the Violence! ’. “The opening activity for the weekjwas the ‘Take “Back.the Might March. ’ This was a rally and candlelight march to empower women to feel safe wherever she may be. “The event started in the MU Quad with speeches by the mayor of Corvallis, “Jlelen M. “Berg, (jeylynn “Pack, and Mary Christian. ‘The participants then marched to ‘Morrison St., down Nth St. andback.to the MU Quad. 7 think.that the Oregon State community is finally realizing the necessity of this program and that it is saving a lot of women. And it is protecting not only women in general, but particularly men s girlfriends, unices, and daughters, and I think.the connection is becoming more clear, ’ “Petschi stated. “Petschi believes that a lot of misconceptions and myths are being dispelled as a result of the educational programs that Saferide presents. 1People are now learning how to reclaim their right to be safe. I think, a lot more people are speaking up about issues and I think, that because of programs likg this it enables people to come forward and report (sexual assultsjbecause they know they have people supporting them, ’ “Petschi said. Story by Deborah Bosket 2b | Saferide

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The OSU Symphonic Hand performs at LaSelles Stuart Center on March 3rd. Shown are Lena Newlin. and Maria Edwards on clarinet. Piioto by Jay Cudai. Giving all of their energy to performing their best the Chamber Choir dazzles the audience. Photo by Jason Bruitbaktii Fine Arts

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At the annual 'Take Hack The Night March in the MU quad, an attendant focuses her attention toward one of the evenings' speakers. Photo by Kimberly Johnston Jessie Howe and Kimberly Johnston practice self-defense techniques at one of the two self-defense workshops Safe ride held during Rape Awareness Week. Photo by Jason Bkeiibakih Charles Churchill, a regular dispatcher for Saferide. spends one of his many evenings behind a desk answering calls that flood the office on a typical night. Photo by Kimberly Johnston think that the Oregon State community is final(y realizing the neccessity of this program and that it is sading a lot of Women. ” Meerta Petschi, Saferide Director Saferide