Intimate Relationships Between Students and Teachers Happen by Emily Stephenson

Courtesy of antoinemccoy.com

Nationwide news is overrun with stories of college sex scandals. The University of Oklahoma for example, had a professor charged with sexual abuse. Also, a former counselor from a military college in South Carolina, was charged for molesting children. These crimes refer to cases involving children under age 18; however, situations such as a student trying to have an intimate relationship with a teacher or a teacher trying to have an intimate relationship with a student occur with those over age 18, and can possibly become a crime of its own.

At UVU, a student was trying to have a relationship with their current professor. The student would bring the teacher gifts, would go to the professor's office, and would even call the professor's home and would talk to his wife in attempts to reach him. The teacher immediately reported this situation to his department chair. After the school reviewed the situation, the student was suspended however, what if the teacher would have allowed an intimate relationship with the student?

When asked about whether or not UVU has had problems with student-teacher relationships in the past and how they were dealt with, Mark Wiesenberg, Director of Humans Resources at UVU responded, "Most of those issues when they are dealt with are not public knowledge, employee discipline is traditionally private." He further explained that he could not tell me how the university would respond to the situation because they deal with these situations on a case by case basis.
"It does happen, but as far as I know, it's very rare," said Jim Harris, a 26th year biology professor at UVU. "It does happen, and I know of some cases when it has happened, but I cannot think of any current ones." Davis explained when he was dean over the biology department that he had to let a teacher go due to this issue. He mentioned it was the student who came forward, and it was the vice president of academic affairs that notified him about the situation.

According to the policy for professors and adjuncts at UVU, teachers are instructed to not have any type of relationship with a current student. However, the university does not have any policy against a teacher having a relationship with a prior student or with a student that is not currently enrolled in the teacher's class.
"You've got students at the university that are adults, so it makes a great deal of a difference about whether they are current students or past students," said Harris. "I think the real issue is whether or not relationships become uncomfortable or of concern to one or other individuals."

Another professor who has been at UVU for over ten years mentioned that he was not sure if there was anything in his contract about whether or not he could have a consensual relationship with a current student. "I'd have to go back and look myself," he responded. The professor further explained that the university has made statements about sexual harassment, but nothing else.

When a teacher is hired to work for the school, they have to go through sexual harassment training online and must retake this training every three years. In the policy for teachers and adjuncts, the school briefly discusses how to appropriately interact with students; however, the university has not felt the need to take further steps to educate teachers on how to appropriately interact with students.
"Our policy is telling our faculty, you better be careful," said Bob Rasmussen, Dean of Student Affairs and Assistant Vice President of Student Life. He explained that the policy talked about professionalism, the abuse of power, and the indications of misuse.
"The responsibility lies with the faculty member much more than it lies with student," said Rasmussen. He further explained that it was the teachers responsibility; they are the ones that need to set the guidelines. "If a student wants to cross those lines, then it's the faculty members place to say stop."

"At universities you have so many more people now," said Kathren Brown, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. "Those of us who are older have to remember that just because a student is our age, doesn't mean that those boundaries can blur."

Brown suggested that teachers and students need to consider the long term consequences of their behavior. "I would caution anybody in a position of power not to be involved with anyone that they have even the least amount of power over," said Brown. "It can be potentially bad situation for everybody."

Mark Wiesenberg, Director of Human Resources, mentions that he hopes students or teachers that are having questionable relationships come forward and get help.

People that are concerned about a student-teacher relationship or people that are involved in this situation should seek help from the university. The university suggests that people contact academic affairs, student affairs, or human resources with questions and concerns.

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Why I should get a job in radio again..!

I love RADIO <3 Why should I work in it again?? Because I am super charismatic and love talking to everyone, it was so much fun....working venues, giving out prizes, it was FABULOUS.
Here is an aircheck of how I sound when I did top 40 radio back in Kansas.

Top 40 Radio Aircheck - Emily Stephenson by Newsinyourbackyard

Second Podcast for the UVU Review!

The Weekly Highlights for the WOLVERINE MINUTE!
Wolverine Minute - November 30, 2011 by UVU Review

First Podcast for the UVU Review!

The Weekly Highlights for the WOLVERINE MINUTE!
Wolverine Minute Podcast - Nov. 23, 2011 by UVU Review

Barnes & Noble Host a Midnight Release for Christopher Paolini's, Inheritance by Emily Stephenson

On behalf of book lovers all around, Barnes & Noble kept their doors open late for the midnight release of Christopher Paolini’s fourth and final book, Inheritance. Over 60 fans anxiously stood in line as they waited for the clock to strike twelve.

“The Inheritance Series has been very popular,” said Paul Jacobson, Community Relations Manager for Barnes & Noble. “We decided to stay open late tonight to make it possible for people to pick up the books right after midnight.”


Cameron Curtis, a customer waiting in line, mentioned that Christopher Paolini has become a better writer with each book and that he has waited patiently for the release of the final book to the Inheritance cycle series.

“I will probably finish [Inheritance] tomorrow,” said Curtis with a smile on his face. “Who doesn’t love reading about dragons and magic?”


Five minutes before midnight, Barnes & Noble conducted a drawing for a free copy of Paolini's book. At midnight, one checkout stand at a time, customers received their books and left the store satisfied.


Random House Children’s Books announced an 18-city tour throughout the United States and Canada for Paolini’s new book. Provo and Orem are two of the cities included in Paolini’s tour. On December 1st, Paolini will be in Orem at Costco and December 2nd, Paolini will be at the Provo Library.

Occupy Wall Street Movement - Interview With Dr. Michael Minch

“The people at the forefront of this are college students. The bill is going to come due. If things don’t change dramatically, people your age are going to have a very diminished life,” - Dr. Michael Minch on Occupy Wall Street. Listen to the FULL INTERVIEW HERE.

Occupy Wall Street Movement - Interview With Dr. Michael Minch by Newsinyourbackyard

The Stress of Media Convergence...by Emily Stephenson

Whoa. It is 2am in the morning and I am sitting here brainstorming what the best way is to get my news articles out. I never realized how much effort and knowledge is truly involved in social media.

-Finding story ideas, taking photos, editing, writing, conducting interviews, etc.
-Putting all this information on my blog, facebook, and twitter.
-I just started a facebook business page!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=1190850057#!/pages/News-In-Your-Backyard/242704485785724
-Filming, posting uploads on youtube
-Trying to figure out podcasts..
-Keeping them all updated..!

Yeah, no wonder it takes multiple people to help with social media..there are so many aspects to cover.
Nap time.

Occupy Provo Demonstrates at Zions Bank by Emily Stephenson

Occupy Provo, a break off from Occupy Wall Street, hit the streets once again to raise awareness about corporate greed. This weekend they did an all day demonstration outside of Zion's Bank.

Passing cars honked their horns in support for the group of about 11 protesters, who stood bundled up in scarves and coats to protect themselves from the cold winter breeze.

“ I wanted to get involved while there were this many people uniting for a good cause,” said Shae Willes, an Occupy Provo Protester. “I don’t think it matters what the specific goals of the group are. It is more important that there are this many people that realize there is a problem and are speaking out.”

Sergeant Befendorfer, of the Provo Police Department mentioned that he was not too worried about the protest because it looked like it was the same group of protesters who peacefully demonstrated at Wells Fargo Bank last Saturday.

When asked if he was going to keep an eye on the protest, Befendorfer responded, "We'll just have people drive by once in a while."

Due to no available manager on site, Zion's Bank was unable to give a statement. However, a Zion’s Bank employee said that the manager should be back to work on Monday.

Occupy Provo decided Saturday evening at their General Assembly that they will be demonstrating Representative Jason Chaffetz and Senator Orrin Hatch's office at Center St and University Avenue in downtown Provo this coming Saturday.

Deal of the Weekend by Emily Stephenson

This weekends deal is at Walgreens. Now thru Saturday November 5th, Walgreens is giving away 25, 4x6 photos & a desktop calendar for FREE. There is no catch whatsoever. Order it online, show up and pick it up!

The 25, 4x6 photos are a VALUE of $4.75
The desktop calendar is a VALUE of $9.99

I highly recommend hopping on to Walgreens website and ordering some photos. I am about to head out the door to go to my 24-hour Walgreens to pick up my order!


Happy Photo Ordering!

Personal Testimonies of Abuse Raise Awareness at UVU by Emily Stephenson

by Emily Stephenson on Thursday, November 3, 2011

“I’ll never forget you made me feel anything less than a child of God,” were the words written in black sharpie on a shirt displayed in the Utah Valley University ballroom. However, this shirt was one of the many 100 plus shirts that were pinned up on clotheslines on behalf of The Clothesline Project to raise awareness of all forms of abuse.

The 100 plus shirts were written by students and those within the UVU community. Each shirt is a testimony of a survivors personal experience with abuse. The shirts vary in color, each color representing a different form of abuse. Some shirts show anger, despair, and sadness, while others are optimistic and hopeful.

“This allows survivors to show their story in their own personal way,” states The Clothesline Project. “The shirts in the Clothesline Project are not censored.”

The experience of going to the Clothesline Project could be compared to attending an art gallery. The ballroom had a continuous flow of people who had come to view the shirts. As people walked the rows of shirts, they would stop, stare, and ponder on the testimonies written by victims on the shirts.

While in the ballroom, sounds would play as a reminder of violence in the United States. Every 12 seconds a gong would indicate that a women reported being assaulted. Every two minutes a whistle would sound, indicating that a sexual assault was being reported.

Survivors are provided a secluded area in the back of the ballroom where they can go and write out their testimonies. They then can either let a volunteer hang up the shirt for them, or can walk out and hang up their shirt in front of everyone.

I took photos of some of the shirts on display. One of the shirts pictured in this article is mine. Abuse happens, please tell someone.

Know that you are not alone. Know that someone out there is fighting the same battle.Know that this problem is a disease and it will rot you to the core of the soul if you don’t address it. Know that not only you, but that everyone involved with the act of abuse is experiencing a deep emotion of numbness or pain. Know that there is hope. Know that you can feel happiness again.

If you need to talk, know that to some degree I understand what you are going through. I assure you that many will be supportive in your cause to overcome your pain and will help on your way to find true happiness.

"I thought you told me we were in love! At 14 I just didn't know. Love isn't: <3 - Shooting me up w/drugs <3 - Raping me <3 - Ruining me. Now I'm forever haunted."

"I am 1 of 4...1 of 4 every 4 woman are abused. I never thought it would happen to me..it did. It's easy to say no to a stranger. For me it was my best friends dad. These problems are real. Silence is your enemy. Talking is your medicine."

"I am sick of you guys who want me because of my body. You make me feel worthless and depressed. I have been raped and taken advantaged of by those who said they cared. I know there are good men out there...where are you?"

"Some things sorry just doesn't fix."

"To everyone who's ever been raped or sexually abused, be strong, open up, know it hard, but it helps forgive if you can, but never forget. The people who did those things to you are wrong. It's not your fault. Love yourself."

Occupy Provo Discussion This Tuesday at UVU by Emily Stephenson

Written 11/2/2011
Will be published in UVU Review

Tuesday, November 8th the group, Occupy Provo and various UVU Professors will be answering questions from UVU students in regards to the nationwide movement of Occupy Wall Street. Occupy Provo is a group that has branched off from Occupy Wall Street and consists of mainly college students who are in the active pursuit of making change to help Americans have better lives.

“This movement, it’s message, and it’s demands are simply shouting back to us the very values that we already have,” said Dr. Minch, Director of Peace and Justice at UVU. “We need to get over that fear which keeps some of us from hearing our own values presented back to us. I think that's the heart of the issue.”

Dr. Minch further explained that The Occupy Wall Street Movement is a battle of social and economical classes. He said that the movement was about our values as people and that everyone deserves a decent life.

“In contrary to UVU, the people at the forefront of this are college students. The bill is going to come due. If things don’t change dramatically, people your age are going to have a very diminished life,” said Dr. Minch. “This is the first generation in American History, where you will not have a quality life as good as your parents. I hope we are wrong about that, but that is the widely held view of things.”

The Occupy Wall Street movement kicked off their first protest September 17th, 2011 in New York City. Through using social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube, The Occupy Movement has since then, spread dramatically to various cities across The United States. However, most stories that are making mainstream news are stories which discuss violence, arrests, and demonstration lock-downs.

“The government themselves are putting so much effort into trying to silence us and trying to silence the message,” said Tyler Galovich, a head volunteer for Occupy Salt Lake. “Our main point in which we all standby is we want corporate money out of the government. All we want, is there to be a regulation.”

The Occupy Wall Street Movement’s ultimate concern is that the government is putting profit before people. Protesters across The United States have chanted, “We are the 99% and you are the 99%.” When asked the difference between the 99% and the 1%, Occupy Provo explained that the 99% are the people who mostly make up our country and the 1% are those that make over $8 million dollars year in The United States.

“If you don’t know what the movement is about, if you disagree with us, if you are for the movement, whatever your stance is you should come and initiate a dialogue with us. Go to the source and get the information.” said Jessica Burnham, spokesperson of Occupy Provo.

When asked why students should care about this movement, Dr. Minch responded, “They should care because their future and their children's future are imperiled.”

Dr. Minch suggested that students who are interested in the movement can come to the Occupy Provo discussion this Tuesday in the library or by getting involved in the movement in Salt Lake or Provo.

The Occupy Provo group has general assemblies at 7:00 o’clock each night at the Broiler Express on 1620 North 200 West Street in Provo, Utah. The meetings are organized and are conducted parliamentary style. Occupy Provo also has a facebook page that is updated regularly.

There will be a discussion about the Occupy Wall Street Movement this Tuesday, November 8th on UVU campus in the library auditorium at 2:30 PM. There will be a panel of professors from UVU, including Dr. Minch, and they will be answering any questions that students may have in regards to the movement.

The 99% Moves to Occupy Provo by Emily Stephenson

Written 10/29/2011
Published on UVU Review Webpage: http://www.uvureview.com/2011/10/31/the-99-moves-to-occupy-provo/

Outside of Wells Fargo Bank in downtown Provo on Saturday, the sidewalks read, “Close your accounts,” as protesters stood on the corner of 100 N and University Avenue.

The group of about 24 members from Occupy Provo stood holding signs and passing out fliers to the public. Cars driving by the scene honked in approval throughout the day as the protesters brought awareness of corporate greed.

“If you oppose us, I think it’s because you don’t understand,” said Zachary Olpin, spokesperson of Occupy Provo. “If you had a proper understanding of the issues…it’s hard to disagree with the things that we are fighting for.”

The Provo Police kept watch on the protest throughout the day to make sure that the rights of all parties were protected.

“As long as they’re not violating any laws…as far as the police are concerned we’re happy with people that want to hold a sign,” said Sergeant Befendorfer of the Provo Police. “We don’t want to discourage them or anything like that.”

Inside the walls of Wells Fargo, the bank operated as usual and remained fully staffed with District Manager Preston Meline on site for the day with his fellow employees.

“There is no official statement,” said Meline, “Wells Fargo’s motto has always been that we want our customers to succeed financially and meet all of their financial goals.”

Meline further explained that the protesters were peaceful and want their opinion known.

The demonstration ran throughout the day into the late hours Saturday evening. Occupy Provo participants decided Saturday Evening at their General Assembly that they will be demonstrating outside Zion’s Bank this coming Saturday. Occupy Provo would like to invite everyone to check out their facebook page, “Occupy Provo Discussion Group,” or participate with them this Saturday.

Occupy Salt Lake City Joins in with Occupy Wall Street by Emily Stephenson

Written Thursday 10/13/2011

There were over one hundred tents that sat on the wet grass of Pioneer Park, Thursday evening in Salt Lake City, Utah. The tents contained local area protesters who have now brought the protest of Occupy Wall Street to what is now known as Occupy Salt Lake City. The park is currently overrun with local protesters, the homeless, the police, and those who have come to see what the commotion is all about. The people all have gathered to the park for different reasons however, they all yearn change.

"Everybody just wants to see a change... The banks got a big ol' bailout. Why don't we get a bailout, I want a bailout, someone bail me out," says Kenny Blubaugh as he finished setting up the last of his tent.

In the middle of the park Tyler Galovich a volunteer for Occupy Salt Lake City, sat at a table with a sign, "Take an opinion and leave an opinion." When asked what his major ambition was for helping out with Occupy Salt Lake City he said,

"The government themselves are putting so much effort into trying to silence us and trying to silence the message. Our main point in which we all standby is we want corporate money out of the government. All we want is there to be a regulation."

Galovich explained that there was no leader of the Occupy Salt Lake City and that the protesters only want to be referred to as individuals and not as a group. The one thing which unifies them is that they are all out for change.

"I think we're all here for something. I think some of us don't even know why we're here. But in all honesty there is something horribly wrong with the government. This movement is not really designed to necessarily form a political view but it is to actually reform and change all of the other political views. Come on down, the soup is really f----ing good. You have to just be here," said Sebastian Ivesch, as he sat in the dark in front of his tent eating free soup from Occupy Salt Lake City's Cafe.

Galovich explained that they are protected by the first amendment to gather peacefully in a public area. Occupy Salt Lake City has two demonstrations daily and does not protest in Pioneer Park.

"It's actually one of our camp rules not to bring the protest into camp. As soon as we hit the sidewalk and get out of the perimeter it's on," said Galovich.

The protest of Occupy Wall Street has spread throughout major cities across the United States. However, police have made arrests in the following cities: New York, Austin, Portland, Seattle, Gainesville, Cincinnati, Salem, Denver, Des Moines, Chicago, Milwaukee, Sacramento, San Francisco, Houston, Santa Barbara, and Oakland.

When asked about Occupy Salt Lake City being shutdown Galovich replied, "We'll see what happens when it gets to that point." He stated that they are currently trying to get a permit to go to Liberty Park. Pioneer Park or not, the protesters will continue to make their voices heard until they receive change.