This Commission educates both men and women in the community on all the issues which the commission considers to be relevant; provides information on violence against women; sponsors Take Back the Night; works in collaboration with Academic Affairs to address all curriculum related issues pertaining to women; assists individual women with specific university and community issues and concerns; and works in collaboration with the State and Federal Affairs Commission to inform students of relevant legislation.

Contact Commissioner Liz Herron, or Vice Commissioner Emily Dunlap for more information.

Wednesday, September 23

So, this is my first week updating, and I'm hoping to get the hang of it soon.

This week, I've been really busy doing lots of exciting things. First and most exciting, I've been working to organize Student Senate for this year's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. It's going to be Saturday, October 24th, around 11 AM. if you don't know what it is, it's a men's walk to stop sexual violence. The guys wear high heels and, like the title of the march says, walk a mile. It's an event done nationally, with great success, and this is our second go-around with it in Athens. Women can participate as well, as sideline support, which basically means running from point to point along the march route and cheering on the guys. They'll need it - walking in heels is harder than it looks. Walk a Mile is also a fundraiser, this year for My Sister's Place. If you're interested in being involved, feel free to contact me or just walk into the Womens Center, which is on the fourth floor of Baker.

The second big thing going on is a campus-wide lighting walk on Monday, October 5th. I'm partnering up with the Res Life and Off Campus Life. We're also hoping to work with OUPD, APD, Graduate Student Senate, and the Office of Student Affairs. We're trying to look at all areas students live in - from the residential greens to some of the more remote off-campus living locations. I think it'll be a great walk - I'm looking forward to it.

Other than that, Emily & I are also working with the DAC (Diversity Affairs Commission) to plan events that bring awareness to diversity issues and programming on campus. DAC is composed of us, LGBT, International, Black, and Minority Affairs. We have our first meeting on Friday, and I am really excited about working with everyone.

As always, feel free to contact me with questions or comments. My office hours are available in the Senate Office.

Have a great week!

Wednesday, October 7

This is my report from Senate this week - If you have any questions, come find me! I hope midterms are going well for everyone.

Week 5

I did the following things this week:

-          Lighting Walk with Res Life, OCL, OUPD, Dean Lombardi, and Facilities Maintenance. Have you done your lighting walk yet? If not, please consider that these three guys took time away from their families to take care of all of us – it’s the least you could do to do the same.

-          Lighting Walk reports can be sent to me, by Friday, but please don’t wait till then because it may make me cranky.

-          The first TBTN Steering Committee went well – we’re still looking for a unifying theme, but other than that, we’re off to a fab start.

-          I’ve been working with the Women’s Center on Love Your Body Day and Walk A Mile in Her Shoes.  If you want to get involved, let me know. So far we have 53 people signed up for Senate – I’m very happy with you all.

-          DAC is still awesome.  My commission is brainstorming about our role in the Diversity Week we’re planning for Winter Quarter.

-          I went to the Relationship & Sexual Violence Coalition meeting on Tuesday – it went well. The grant from last year went through, which is amazing news. It also means we’ll be implementing a sort of sexual assault edu. I would really appreciate your feedback on the proposed program. Please go to enformd.net to review and let me know – I’m one of the only, if not the only, undergrads on the coalition, so believe me, your feedback is extremely important.

-          I’m excited to meet my interns. They are Becky, Mary, and Victoria, so if you see them, say hello!

Until next time,

LIz