Bee Safe allows students place to talk about problems
Arielle Willson
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
St. Ambrose University is becoming a little safer these days. This is due in part to the Safe Hive program that was started in 2006 to promote conversations about topics that are often difficult to discuss.
Erin Craghead, the Franklin Hall Director, is one of the facilitators of the Safe Hive program.
"The Safe Hive program was created as a means of addressing the climate of inclusion at St. Ambrose University," Craghead said.
The Safe Hive program exists to provide a resource for any students that are looking for someone to talk to. Safe Hive's members attend a two hour long workshop and sign a contract agreeing to provide a safe, confidential environment that students feel welcome in. Members also have access to campus-wide and city-wide resources that they can then pass on to any interested Ambrosian.
A new feature of this year's Safe Hive program is the concept of the Aggregation. An aggregation is a large group of bee nests that give the appearance of being a community while still allowing each bee its own solitary nest.
"We thought this was a great name for the workshop because it highlights what we are trying to do- recognize people in our community as individuals who are all working together to create a great, inclusive community," Craghead said.
Two Safe Hive workshops have already been held this semester, and more are in the works for next semester.
The recent workshop had over 20 participants that ranged from first year students to faculty members. The evening started with some introductory remarks by Michael Dixon, Erica Lee and Erin Craghead.
Dixon, the Coordinator of Intercultural Life and Leadership Programs, explained that discrimination can exist in even the most common conversations.
"We challenge you to examine your own bias," Dixon said.
Attendees were then given the chance to practice their new conversational skills through partner and group exercises.
The evening concluded with an hour long panel discussion. The panel consisted of a variety of professionals from all over campus: Beth Cook of disability services, Victor Hakiba of the center of international education, Katy Strezpek of women's studies, and Ria Subrahmanyam of residence life.
Questions for the panel ranged from how to prevent cyber bullying to how to help students feel included in the Ambrose community.
People that choose to become members of the Aggregation receive a decal that can be placed on a door, window, car or any other visible place. Members can be recognized by this decal as someone that is willing to be talked to by students.
If spotting the decals is difficult, locating a member of the Aggregation is only a click away.
"We are hoping to put all of the names of those who are members of the Aggregation on the Save Hive website for the Ambrose community to access and contact if they would like to chat with one of them," Craghead said.
Another goal of the Aggregation is to incorporate the workshops into classroom settings in an effort to educate students about valuable listening skills.
Information about the Safe Hive program can be accessed on-line at http://web.sau.edu/StudentServices/SaveHive.htm.
Erin Craghead, the Franklin Hall Director, is one of the facilitators of the Safe Hive program.
"The Safe Hive program was created as a means of addressing the climate of inclusion at St. Ambrose University," Craghead said.
The Safe Hive program exists to provide a resource for any students that are looking for someone to talk to. Safe Hive's members attend a two hour long workshop and sign a contract agreeing to provide a safe, confidential environment that students feel welcome in. Members also have access to campus-wide and city-wide resources that they can then pass on to any interested Ambrosian.
A new feature of this year's Safe Hive program is the concept of the Aggregation. An aggregation is a large group of bee nests that give the appearance of being a community while still allowing each bee its own solitary nest.
"We thought this was a great name for the workshop because it highlights what we are trying to do- recognize people in our community as individuals who are all working together to create a great, inclusive community," Craghead said.
Two Safe Hive workshops have already been held this semester, and more are in the works for next semester.
The recent workshop had over 20 participants that ranged from first year students to faculty members. The evening started with some introductory remarks by Michael Dixon, Erica Lee and Erin Craghead.
Dixon, the Coordinator of Intercultural Life and Leadership Programs, explained that discrimination can exist in even the most common conversations.
"We challenge you to examine your own bias," Dixon said.
Attendees were then given the chance to practice their new conversational skills through partner and group exercises.
The evening concluded with an hour long panel discussion. The panel consisted of a variety of professionals from all over campus: Beth Cook of disability services, Victor Hakiba of the center of international education, Katy Strezpek of women's studies, and Ria Subrahmanyam of residence life.
Questions for the panel ranged from how to prevent cyber bullying to how to help students feel included in the Ambrose community.
People that choose to become members of the Aggregation receive a decal that can be placed on a door, window, car or any other visible place. Members can be recognized by this decal as someone that is willing to be talked to by students.
If spotting the decals is difficult, locating a member of the Aggregation is only a click away.
"We are hoping to put all of the names of those who are members of the Aggregation on the Save Hive website for the Ambrose community to access and contact if they would like to chat with one of them," Craghead said.
Another goal of the Aggregation is to incorporate the workshops into classroom settings in an effort to educate students about valuable listening skills.
Information about the Safe Hive program can be accessed on-line at http://web.sau.edu/StudentServices/SaveHive.htm.
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