by Madison Anderson and Anna Lowe, contributing news writers
In response to recent events on campus, a coalition of Asbury students formulated a new online petition, started by Sebastian Rojas, asking the university to implement new sexual harassment policies on campus. As of Feb. 9, the petition has 633 signatures.
The call to action began when Asbury student Jonathan D. Mitchem was arrested on Jan. 25 for solicitation of kidnapping.
“This news rocked Asbury University students to their cores,” Rojas stated. “In my life, I’ve been close to those affected by sexual violence and I’m sure most of you have too.”
Rojas explained his frustration with Asbury and how changes are needed to improve campus safety.
“I’ve seen too many stories from #metoo, #churchtoo, and other women from Asbury brave enough to share their stories and how Asbury did nothing,” Rojas said. “As an institution, Asbury needs to do better.”
The petition asked for new campus emergency towers that resemble those of the University of Kentucky. The towers would be equipped with an emergency siren, first aid kit, and telephone to call 9-1-1 or campus security.
The second request from Rojas and the 633 students that signed is an improvement of lighting near the cage and other campus parking lots.
Lastly, the petition requests that Asbury “reevaluates institutional policies that discourage students from reporting cases of sexual harassment, sexual violence, or the like.”
Asbury’s Executive Cabinet has been in an ongoing conversation with Asbury’s safety and security office for months.
“The Executive Cabinet (EC) has been committed to safety and security on campus since August,” EC Vice President of Clubs and Congress Operations, Anna Lauren Jacobs said. “We have the benefit of an all-female EC, and we wanted to use our platform to advocate for these needs on campus.”
Before security cameras are installed, there must be better lighting on campus. Jacobs stated lighting on campus is “the first priority” for Asbury.
Executive Cabinet has been working with Director of Safety and Security David Hay to discuss ways Asbury Student Congress can partner with the Safety and Security office to promote conversation between students and the security staff at Asbury.
“We are also working to institute ways to connect his [Hay’s] office with students through presence at events, a meet and greet or something similar so that students feel safer bringing concerns forward to people they know,” Jacobs said.
