March 26, 2004

Continued from News Page 1

Photo by LEO THERRIEN One of the two dead raccoons found shot on campus.

"Once another agency has the case, it is not our place to interfere," said Therrien. "They may or may not find anything." It is unknown as to what type of punishment the students involved in the crime will face. Therrien does not think that tighter campus regulations should be placed into effect due to the two incidents, though he not soon forget them. "I don't think students should be roaming campus in their vehicles because they're bored," he said.

Therrien believes that the student affairs division works hard to provide an environment that meets the needs of all students. He fails to understand why students would resort to such cruel means of entertainment when they are surrounded with a variety of choices that allow them to enjoy their time at Wesleyan. "It makes me worried that someone who kills animals for pleasure might later kill human beings," said Therrien. "It's sad that something like this would happen on our campus." Security is unaware of where the weapon came from. It is possible that it could have belonged to a campus resident, or it could have been the possession of a guest on campus.

Wesleyan's student handbook states that, "Possession or use of firearms or other weapons capable of inflicting injury or damage, and hunting or trapping with any form of weapon or trap is prohibited on-campus." Security patrols the campus 24 hours a day, but they lack the necessary components to ensure maximum security on campus. They are severely short-staffed and officers have to walk or bike around campus. Better equipment would help them prevent such incidents, but the lack of funding needed to improve their means of servicing the campus community makes that a difficult task.

"We [security] can't be at every place at all times," said Therrien. "We have to provide the best we can with what we have."

By CHANNAILE GORDON

Thanks to freshman Jeannie Freeman, Wesleyan has added color guard to its list of clubs and activities available to students. "It's something that hasn't ever been here at Wesleyan, and I really missed color guarding so much," said Freeman. Freeman, a native of Portsmouth, fell in love with the sport during her high school years. She was a member of her high school team for four years and held the position of co-captain for three years. During high school she was part of the marching band and winter guard team. "It's a new kind of sport that is similar to dancing and cheerleading, but instead of using pom-pom's, we show our expression through our different flag movements," said Freeman. "It can be done anywhere, indoors or outdoors."

The team currently consists of eight students, and they are looking for more people interested in joining. By next fall, expect there to be at least 15 students on the roster. "It's a really fun sport that helps boost up your confidence," said Freeman. "And for those who don't have a lot of self- confidence, it's a nice place to start." This semester the team is focusing on becoming better known on campus in addition to conducting fundraisers and bake sales.

By next fall, the group of students will be recognized as an official team, and depending on how things go, color guarding may be able to draw funding from the Athletic Department and gain a coach and an assistant coach. "Who knows, in the future we may be able to do a performance at games during half-time," said Freeman. The current color guard members hold practices in the Bubble on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. "If you already have a flag, you're encouraged to bring it," said Freeman. "But if not, then just bring yourself. We welcome anyone and everyone who is interested."

Accreditation: Two departments reapply

The standards that the Education Department complies with are from "Regulations Governing Teacher Education Approved Programs for Virginia Institutions of Higher Education." Wesleyan's Education Department submitted its program in 2000 in accordance with regulation, and the review team is coming out to seek proof for the 20 standards that were to be documented by the department. Such documents are a statement of philosophy and proof of employee satisfaction with student teachers.

The Recreation and Leisure department is the only nationally accredited department on campus and has been since 1984. Dr. Rick Green, head of the visitation and professor at Southern Mississippi; North Carolina Central University Professor Dr. Shirley Harper; and Dr. Chris Smith, Director of Parks and Recreation for Mateland, Fla. were members of the review team that came to Wesleyan Feb. 25 for two days to get an impression of the program. In October the Recreation and Leisure Department will travel to Reno, Nev., where the department will be given a chance to participate in a public hearing and respond to the report. The council will then decide whether or not to continue or not continue the accreditation. "The accreditation allows our students to say they've received preparation like large universities across the country provide," said Kennedy.

Virginia Wesleyan Crime Log

· On Feb. 17 a parking sign was pulled out of the ground in VII.

· On Feb. 17 a speed limit sign was knocked down at Smith Drive and Maintenance Road.

· On Feb. 19 two female students were observed on top of the Bubble.

· On Feb. 22 students were found removing signs from a parking lot. The sus- pects were identified, and a report was made to Residence Life.

· On Feb. 28 students were observed shooting a raccoon behind VIII. The weapon was confiscated and a report was made.

· On Feb. 28 a silver vehicle ran the gate when beer was observed in the front seat.

· On Feb. 28 a VI student's door was marked with a racial slur.

· On March 1 officers found a Great Horned Owl in the area of the lake that had been apparently shot with a pellet gun. A report was made and campus authori- ties were notified.

· On March 4 a harassing phone call was made to a faculty member.

· On March 4 several empty "dime" bags were found throughout campus.

· On March 6 vandalized school equipment was found covered with lighter fluid outside a resident hall in VIII.

· On March 7 a trash bag was discovered in Lot K containing a red fox. It was presumed to be roadkill brought to campus for disposal.

· On March 11 a complaint from ground workers said that paraphernalia was found in the portable john at the ball field. Evidence collected tested positive for marijuana and cocaine.

· On March 14 a student was arrested for malicious wounding of another student at VIII.

· On March 14 visiting children took a maintenance cart and went joy riding. Suspects were found and turned over to their parents.

· On March 21 there was a grand larceny incident when the Grille area was entered and $263 was removed.

Information Courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College Campus Security Log

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