Vera House resumes CAPT office hours in Centen

Vera House’s Campus Advocacy and Prevention Team will resume in-person office hours for all ESF students (Undergraduate and Graduate), Tuesdays, 3PM-6PM in Centennial Hall beginning November 2.  Students should check in at Centen’s front desk upon entry.

An advocate will be available to talk CONFIDENTIALLY about questions or concerns about sexual violence, partner violence, or stalking as well as reporting options and connections to support services.  Whether students have experienced something, or know someone who has, Vera House’s CAPT is there.  For more information about the Campus Project serving ESF, SU, LeMoynce, OCC and other institutions,  visit https://www.verahouse.org/campus-project, contact CAPT coordinator Chris Kosakowski at ckosakowski@verahouse.org or the Team CPTeam@verahouse.org.

For a printable display to hang on your door or bulletin board, or have visible during upcoming advising meetings,  click here.  

Vera House also offers a support line for all community members 24/7:   (315) 468-3260 (TTY for Deaf Community (315) 484-7263 during business hours).  In St Lawrence County (Ranger School), Renewal House’s crisis line (315) 379-9845 is staffed 24 hrs/day.

For more information about how ESF community members can #IdentifyInterpretIntervene and #ChooseAction, resources are available at https://linktr.ee/ESFchooseactionnetwork.  To get involved, contact  chooseaction@esf.edu, or the Choose Action Network Project Coordinator, Jennifer Keating, MSW, jkeating@esf.edu or 315-470-4867.

Today! Building a Better Training Program for Field-Based Studies

WiSE Professions will feature Building a Better Fieldwork Future, in two independent but related sessions.   “Fieldwork is an essential component of training and research in many scientific disciplines. However, the imbalanced power structure of academia coupled with the remote and informal nature of field sites heightens risks of sexual harassment and assault during fieldwork, especially for women and other at-risk groups. Limited existing research suggests that incidents are widespread and insufficiently addressed by protocols developed for office and classroom settings.” 

Scenario-Based Bystander Training to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Assault in Field Settings. On March 31, 3:45-4:45 pm EST in conjunction with the Perspectives on Career and Gender graduate seminar, Melissa Cronin, University of California, Santa Cruz, will discuss the development, evolution and assessment of the 90-minute  workshop she, Roxanne Beltran and Erika Zavaleta  developed with support of the Thoreau Foundation and Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-based Opportunities (CAMINO).  The program has expanded to include 28 trainers at 8 other institutions.  

Workshop:  Building a Better Fieldwork Future: Preventing & Managing Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Field Science. On April 15, 7-8:30 pm EST (some seats still available),  certified trainer Dr. Amanda Adams, Conservation Research Program Manager, Bat Conservation International and Lecturer, Biology, Texas A&M University, will introduce “the unique risks posed by fieldwork and offer a suite of evidence-based tools to prevent, intervene in, and respond to sexual harassment and assault. A series of practical intervention scenarios, the workshop guides participants on how to be an active and engaged bystander, report incidents, and plan field settings to minimize risk. Armed with these tools, participants can play a role in ensuring that field settings are safer, more equitable, and more welcoming for the next generation of field scientists.“ 

 Full abstracts and Registration links for both are available at:  bit.ly/WiSEProfessions

WiSE Professions in STEM fields, and in the field.

Explore career path, and the critical importance of empowered bystanders in field-based education and research through the 2021 Women in Scientific Professions Speaker Series.  

On March 11,  ESF Women in STEM Fields, the ESF Alumni Association will celebrate Women's History Month with a career path panel discussion (1-2 pm EST, Join Session) featuring some of many recent alumnae working in STEM fields. Panelists include Aislinn Brackman '13 (Paper Engineering), Change Agent/Continuous Improvement Specialist, von Drehle Corporation; Olivia Liu '15 (Landscape Architecture), Assistant Landscape Architect, New York City Parks; Hilary Niver-Johnson '11 (Environmental Science), Proprietor, Sustainable Viticulture Systems; Emily Thiel '14 (Environmental Communications), Education and Outreach Coordinator, WNY Prism.   This session is a collaboration of the Alumni Association, Career Services, Admissions, and ESF Women's Caucus, for current ESF students and employees as well as for prospective and incoming students. 

WiSE Professions will then shift focus to those planning, training, and conducting field research with Building a Better Fieldwork Future, in two independent but related sessions.   “Fieldwork is an essential component of training and research in many scientific disciplines. However, the imbalanced power structure of academia coupled with the remote and informal nature of field sites heightens risks of sexual harassment and assault during fieldwork, especially for women and other at-risk groups. Limited existing research suggests that incidents are widespread and insufficiently addressed by protocols developed for office and classroom settings.” 

·        Scenario-Based Bystander Training to Prevent Sexual Harassment and Assault in Field Settings. On March 31, 3:45-4:45 pm EST (PLEASE REGISTER HERE), in conjunction with the Perspectives on Career and Gender graduate seminar, Melissa Cronin, University of California, Santa Cruz, will discuss the development and assessment of the 90-minute  workshop she, Roxanne Beltran and Erika Zavaleta  developed with support of the Thoreau Foundation and Center to Advance Mentored, Inquiry-based Opportunities (CAMINO).  The program has expanded to include 28 trainers at 8 other institutions.  

·        Workshop:  Building a Better Fieldwork Future: Preventing & Managing Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Field Science. On April 15, 7-8:30 pm EST (Please Register here; note space is limited),  certified trainer Dr. Amanda Adams, Conservation Research Program Manager, Bat Conservation International and Lecturer, Biology, Texas A&M University, will introduce “the unique risks posed by fieldwork and offer a suite of evidence-based tools to prevent, intervene in, and respond to sexual harassment and assault. A series of practical intervention scenarios, the workshop guides participants on how to be an active and engaged bystander, report incidents, and plan field settings to minimize risk. Armed with these tools, participants can play a role in ensuring that field settings are safer, more equitable, and more welcoming for the next generation of field scientists.  

This workshop will bookend a series that launched during the winter break with a screening of  Picture a Scientist, in which “(b)iologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries - including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists - who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.” The screening culminated in a discussion January 21 with Dr. Mary Collins (Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies), Jennifer Keating (Project Coordinator, Choose Action Network); Nicole Williams '05 (Finance & Operations Director, Ocean Outcomes) and Rebecca Hoda-Kearse (Title IX/Affirmative Action Officer), moderated Dr. Malika Carter, Chief Diversity Officer.  Screening and panel were presented by the ESF Alumni Association in collaboration with the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity; ESF Women's Caucus; and the Choose Action Network

The WiSE Professions Speaker Series is a program of the ESF Women’s Caucus, presented by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with the assistance of other groups and offices across campus.  For more information, contact Heather Engelman, engelman@esf.edu.  

Choose action!

Ever witnessed situations or heard statements that sent up hackles, but weren’t sure what to do or say to intervene or how to get help? The Choose Action Network will be conducting the next Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Training for students over a 6 part workshop beginning NEXT THURSDAY (1/23/2020 during College Hour)! MVP is a renowned “gender violence, sexual harassment and bullying prevention program…[that teaches bystanders how] to challenge … social, cultural and institutional norms that support abusive behavior.”  Participants will have opportunities to practice responses AND gain a cohort of like-minded folks who share their concerns for a safer community.

We strongly encourage students to attend all the sessions.

This session is for students--please contact chooseaction@esf.edu to sign up!  For more information, contact Jennifer Keating at Jkeating@esf.edu.  Faculty and staff—let students know they have your support to participate, and stay tuned for announcement for a separate workshop just for you! 

Empowerment 2018

Griot (storyteller) and Keynote Speaker Vanessa Johnson opened ESF's 4th Annual Women's Empowerment Brunch in song, segueing to stories of empowerment and recovery, and finding joy. The panel, comprised of Ann Moore, Chris Kosakowski (an educator from Vera House), Dr. Kelley Donaghy, Dr. Malika Carter, Jules Findlay, and Dr. Biljana Bujanovic, answered questions posed by facilitator Brittany Wong and the floor. Panelists shared goals for improving their workplace, "removing barriers put in place for no good reason," and shaking things up. They explained their personal definitions of feminism, which were largely consistent with one another, and revolved around intersectionality, respect, and promoting equality and equity for people of all genders (ironically, few of the panel had considered themselves to be feminists prior to being asked to consider the question!). They shared personal stories of being subject to, or witnessing, bias in the workplace.

They advised questioning microaggressions, listening more and talking less, and that "its OK to tap out and practice self-care. You have a right to feel safe in the conversation." In regards to supporting survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence in times like the #MeToo movement (credit: Tarana Burke): Believe them; understand consent (which applies to all thing); stop perpetuating rape culture; know when to step up and to step back; support education to recognize those at risk and prevent abuse; "stop caring more men's reputations than women's lives," "speak with them, not for them," and help them hold power. They shared examples of using privilege to help: advocating, recognizing that individuals from marginalized groups are too often called upon to teach but that its not their job "to coddle my little white ego" and that gold stars aren't earned by "just not being a bad person"--call out when see or hear something.

While panelists did recall times when women were in competition with one another, in general, they felt that women should support one another, and actively do so. They also noted that women are taught that negative reactions are due to personality (they don't like me) rather than gender (they treat all ___ this way) (NOTE: in retrospect, when the numbers of women or non-binary people are very low, its very difficult to tell the difference). They also advised not to compare self to social media ideals, as people tend to show only the best sides of themselves. When asked "What does it mean to be an ally?" Panelists described times when "partners in society change" asked them "This seemed to bother you. What can I do?", requesting permission and guidance to ensure they amplified in an affirming way. And noted that "its not the 'four-letter words' (like f-bombs) that are so painful, its the pronouns [that relay that only a 'he' can be expected to be hired, or could earn some achievement] and other words that demean." Know when to speak up and when to shut up, and don't expect a pat on the head for not being a jerk. Acknowledge that the price is high, but the reward is great. "Allyship can be a 'soft-term'...prefer 'advocate' or 'accomplice.'

When asked by the floor for action items to continue the discussion:

• Think of your spheres of influence. Each of us has some power--where can you be a support or a change agent? 
• Question that which you take for granted. Think critically about it. 
• Support girls in whatever they want to do, and especially in education 
• Keep talking 
• Be known for something 
• Call out the word "girls" or other terms that infantilize women or diminish their expertise and experience

A different set of discussion questions was distributed among the tables (as well as historic elements of last week's election!), and posted along the walls. Participants were asked to add their thoughts.

I personally, want to thank Ms Johnson and the panel for sharing with us today. Organizers strived to maintain a safe space, but its the participants that make that feasible, and I thank them for doing so. I also thank Ruth Larson of the Counseling Center for standing by in the event any participant needed to step out, and Christopher Baycura who arrived early to set up and test event audio, and the students who spent time each week drafting and sequencing questions, and spent their weekend on the last minute touches.

The Women's Empowerment Brunch was a collaborative effort of the Baobab Society, Undergraduate Student Association and the ESF Women's Caucus. Voluntary contributions to the donation jar were sent to the YWCA to benefit Girls Inc. programming.

Girl Rising

Have you seen Girl Rising yet? 

When we scheduled our campus screening with the Baobab Society, we tried to place it in March as a Women's History Month/belated International Women's Day event.  But as we prepare for Passover, I realized that the timing also has relevance for this holiday, at least for me.  You see, my mother struggled to find a family Haggadah (the book read during the seder) that told the ancient tale, but still felt relevant to her. She found one she liked well enough for our immediate family and the friends that joined us each year (our extended family is very widely scattered), largely because it used everyday English, but also because the language was a little less gendered than the version used at her childhood table.  But it still didn't quite let the gathered envision themselves in the story--which is a goal of each telling.  So, I now have Mom's collection, plus a variety of other haggadot that each have something that I like, but none I'd recommend in its entirety. 

I am now one of the friends at another family's table. They worked around their similar dissatisfaction with commercially available Haggadot by writing their own.  They used the biblical story as its basis, but  contemporizes its telling by interspersing a few jokes (Why do we call it matzah?  Well, it has little holes like matzah.), and stories of current day social justice issues--subjugation of others by virtue of ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, even dietary preferences (they have vegan, vegetarian, and carnivorous options at their table--all kosher l'Pesach).  This reminds the gathered that despite the dissolution of slavery in Exodus, and even later in the US, human trafficking still flourishes in parts of the country.  In many countries,  girls marry far too young as her virtue and fertility are bartered for her family's financial security. Rape might be perceived as a rite of passage or punishment for being in a man's world. And those that speak out against these or other practices have been subject to punishment.

Tonight, we will sing the traditional verses of Dayenu ("It would have been enough") which gives thanks for each level of assistance provided from slavery to the promised land, each of which "would have been enough" and will read new verses that bring us from that moment into our time.  We will belt out songs from the '60s peace movement, Debbie Freidman's Miriam's Song, and Tracy Chapman's Why, accompanied by tambourines and other instruments that decorate the table, enjoying food that celebrates both Ashkenazim and Mizrahi  traditions.  And when we do, I'll  think of Wadley, Senna, Yasmin and the others--and the choices that they don't yet have.  And I will once again thank this family for making history live for my child (and for my husband and I), and reenforcing the aspects of his heritage that address inclusion, righting wrongs, and building community. 

If you missed the ESF screening, please book seats at http://gathr.us/screening/2445 for Wed. April 10, 7:30 pm, Regal 17 Cinemas at Destiny.  Tickets ($10 ea) must be reserved  -- cards are not charged until a sufficient number of tickets are reserved, and if they don't reach that goal within the allotted time, showings are cancelled. As of this moment, they still need about 20 reservations.  This has been the fate of other regional showings--I hope this means that our local community is just not yet not familiar with this ticketing mechanism rather than disinterest in the subject.

The SU Chapter of She's the First, a not-for-profit that "sponsors girls’ education in the developing world, helping them be the first in their families to graduate"  will host SU's campus screening on Wed April 3 at 7:30 pm in NewHouse 3 Rm 141.  Other events scheduled for "She's the First{Syracuse} Week" include:
Mo Apr 1 Insomnia Cookie Fundraising --10% of all proceeds will go to STF
            Bake Sale 10-4, Schine
            Yoga Night, 7:30 pm, Archibold Gym, 1st Fl
Tu Apr 2 Conversation with Christen Brandt, STF's Director of International Operations and SU Newhouse alumna, The Herg, NH3
We Apr 3 Bake Sale, 10-4, Schine Center and Girl Rising, 7:30 pm in NewHouse 3 Rm 141
Th Apr 4 Girls+Education= Magho (Daughter) http://shesthefirst.org/magho/ & forum on girls' education,  7 pm, HL 107.
Fr Apr 5 Bake Sale 10-4 Schine, Late Night Ice Skating, 9pm-12am, Tennity
Sa Apr 6, Dodgeball for Education, 1:30 pm, Women's Bldg Gym A, $1 spectator fee

PIH is also trying to schedule a showing at Shoppingtown on May 9, 7:30 pm.  These seats are reservable at http://gathr.us/screening/2124

About Girl Rising: This feature film shares the stories of 9 individual girls--"transformed for the screen by an acclaimed writer from her native country: Marie Arana from Peru, Edwidge Danticat from Haiti, Mona Eltahawy from Egypt, Aminatta Forna from Sierra Leone, Zarghuna Kargar from Afghanistan, Maaza Mengiste from Ethiopia, Sooni Taraporevala from India, Manjushree Thapa from Nepal, and Loung Ung from Cambodia. Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington and other celebrated actresses contribute voice performances to the film, which features original music from Academy Award winner Rachel Portman, in collaboration with Hans Zimmer."

The film is rated PG-13 because it deals with some of the elements of the serious issues that the girls have faced in their lives (e.g., sexual violence, AIDS, and homelessness). However, nothing graphic or explicit is shown (no nudity, swearing, or violence).  Parents should take into account the maturity of their children as some subject matter may just go over their heads. A rough cut of the film was assessed as appropriate for 6th grade and up.

 


--he

Equals

I can't believe it took a year and a half for this to make it around to my facebook newsfeed.

For more info about the competition in which this clip was entered.

Domestic Violence and a Woman's Self-worth

After a round of self-esteem exercises on our own, Vera House, Inc. co-exective director Randi Bregman joined the Baobab Society and Women's Caucus to answer questions about recognizing domestic abuse, and helping our friends and families find the sense of worth and safety they deserve.  People stay in abusive relationships for lots of reasons, including fear of the unknown and some comfort with the familiar (the devil you know....).  Often, they "want the relationship to continue, but the abuse to end." The best thing that we can do for those we know are at risk:  be good supportive listeners and keep at it.   Model a concerned relationship. It's a big decision about whether or not to involve authorities--you might fear reprisal, or fear that this act might offend the person you are trying to protect. "Do not put yourself at risk by trying to intervene directly."  Direct them to local resources:  locally, Vera House and the Rape Crisis center have recently merged (Vera House, Inc) to provide comprehensive assistance, 24/7. Sadly, 70% of the clients of the Rape Crisis Center are children.
When are children at risk?  It used to be that they were only considered to be in harm's way when abuse was directed at them.  The current thinking has evolved, however, to recognize that it isn't good for their emotional and long-term well being to repeatedly witness such acts.  Teachers and medical professionals are mandatory reporters if they suspect a child is in any danger.
We also asked about the sensitivity of police when someone has been raped, should the initial response be to call the police?  No--first go to the hospital to 1. tend to  physical injuries 2. collect evidence and 3. talk to an advocate who can advise and notify authorities if victim chooses to do so.