America’s sexual assault confusion

On May 1st of 2014, The US Department of Education’s released a list of higher education institutions being investigated for Title IX sexual violence violations.

Catherine E. Lhamon, the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, expressed hope that the list (which included The University of Denver) would engender transparency in the Office for Civil Rights’ investigations and “spur community dialogue about [the] important issue.” The investigations made sure that schools receiving federal funding adhered to the standards set by Title IX regulations.

The announcement came shortly after President Obama issued a 20 page report urging schools to take steps against sexual violence.

These official actions are part of a larger movement taking place to end sexual assault in America’s schools. This campaign has been largely led by individual women who brought suits against their respective schools, like Annie Clark and Andrea Pino who now have a documentary on the subject.

Sports events happening in your area! The stuff you want to see but don’t know exist.

Scores of Golfers after their 1st round (Photo Taken by Tony Macaluso)

July 13th was the Sectional Qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Golf Tournament, that will be held in Chicago on

August 19th -22nd, 2015. The event was hosted at Columbine Country Club in Littleton, Colorado. Though Columbine boasts a 40,000-square-foot clubhouse, a beautiful yet challenging 7,361-yard course, and was the home of the 1967 PGA Championship, it is a standard 18-hole course with par at 72 strokes. 70 young men aged 18-25 competed in today’s games. The entry fee for the tournament was $150, and players could chose to pay extra for a caddy if they so pleased.

Discrimination to break gender dominated industries

There are still professions that are dominated by one gender, like pilots or CEO’s by men or social worker by women. Nevertheless, we speak from a society with equal opportunities.
The women fought over the 21st century for their rights. For their rights to vote and being treated equally. In the so called western world, overall one says that this goal is achieved. But is it? If one looks up the statistics provided by different countries one find the same industries dominated by men or by women, although men are dominating more professions.
After High School one starts to make up his or her way into a profession by deciding a major at university. But the number of female students has pulled ahead, the issue lies within the choice of the subject. The STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields are known for this.

Are you aware of the troubles lurking in your neighborhood? Burglary count rises in Denver Metro area!

Are your garages and sheds locked properly? (Photo Taken by Tony Macaluso)

Students and Faculty of the University of Denver and homeowners/renters near by are experiencing a high number of burglaries in comparison to previous years. Homeowners are getting their garages broken into and students and faculty are having to worry about their parked cars while they are in class. There is no doubt that burglary is a terrible issue and it is interesting to see how the people of the DU community feel regarding this issue.

New bomb detection technology to counteract rise in threats across America

Photo taken by Brielle Durant

New and improved bomb detection technology is constantly in the works, especially in light of recent threats that our society has faced.

I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Ellenbogen, a security and imaging industry veteran who previously was co-founder and CEO for a development of bomb detection technology company, and is now currently heading his own company.

His involvement in detecting threats like explosives goes back about 20 years now. He has been involved with companies who do things such as bag exceptions and x-ray technologies since 1994. He started a company called Reveal Imaging in 2002, where they “made systems that were used to screen checked baggage going into the belly of the plane,” said Ellenbogen.

You’re getting warmer

Artist Banksy, London, UK

Climate change is a pervasive issue in our society, and the term has been passed around so often, it is difficult sometimes to understand the immediacy and the effect of this issue. “I feel like that term has been passed around so often in politics that the actual issue has been cast aside,” says Stacy, mother in Mountain View, CA. “The actuality of these issues have been ignored as politics have made it a game, rather than finding a solution.”

According to a 2012 World Bank report, we are already “on track for a four­degree Celsius warmer world,” and “there is no certainty that adaptation to a four­degree Celsius world is possible.” This means that we have no understanding as to how this environmental change would effect not only the melting ice caps in which media tends to focus, but on the environmental balance in which our world relies on. This includes the basics of lands, which would flood or dry, which would influence the vegetation and it’s ability to grow, which would in turn affect the animals that require said vegetation to thrive.

Though the ultimate and more general goal would be to reduce the human environmental impact, the pressing issue of global warming is not being addressed as seriously as it needs to be. So, what obstacle stands as the hindrance to creating a social and political climate in which this change is even possible?

Recent reports of security threats keep University of Denver students on high alert

University of Denver has recently cleared 2 reports of gunman threats on campus. Even though Campus Safety has declared these threats to be officially safe, DU students throughout campus still feel in danger.

On Thursday afternoon, May 7, 2015, DU Spokesman Will Jones received a call in a “computer-generated voice” around 3:30 pm. The computer-generated voice warned that there was a man dressed in all black and carrying an assault weapon with intentions to harm his girlfriend.

It later became uncovered that police investigators believed the calls were a possible case of swatting – a prank which involved video game players making false reports as jokes on one another.

According to The Denver Post, http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28071423/du-tells-students-seek-shelter-after-man-reported, “The call’s computer-generated voice and threat toward a girlfriend are similar to swatting episodes at other campuses.” These swatting calls have been a reoccurring nuisance for local college campuses.

There was a second call on Thursday afternoon regarding the same individual wearing black attire and carrying an assault weapon. It turned out the gun was a hockey stick.

Even though these cases were investigated to the fullest and found to be benign, students still feel as if they are not fully safe on campus anymore. Senior student Anna Willis states, “I refuse to walk alone at night on campus. I constantly feel as if I’m being followed and it makes it hard to even be on campus at night anymore.”

Campus Safety does a good job of sending out tweets and texts regarding suspicious behavior, but they always come after a threatening incident has already happened. Two-year Officer Bailey states, “The students’ safety is our main concern, it is disheartening when attacks on students happen and we can’t do anything about it until after the event has taken place.”

It seems as though Campus Safety is unsure of how to move forward with protecting our campus, Bailey states, “We do our best to protect everyone, but obviously we can’t be in every alley protecting every single person at all times. Sometimes all we can do is wait for the call.”

A recent report of car theft was logged on July 5, 2015. Exterior car parts were reported to be stolen in parking Lot C on campus. Junior Brooke Boothe comments on the report, “I have a parking permit for that lot. Don’t they have cameras or something? It seems a little stupid that we pay so much to go to DU but they can’t even put up security cameras.”

Bailey reports, “We’re working on getting cameras but it’s not always easy trying to appeal something so expensive to the board.” When told about the car theft in the parking lot Willis responded with, “I don’t get it. Why do people keep committing these crimes all over campus? And why isn’t Campo doing anything about it?”

According to DU’s Campus Safety website, http://www.du.edu/campussafety/media/documents/currentcrimelog2015.pdf, assaults and criminal reports occur nearly every other day and sometimes even multiple days in a row.

The infamous University of Denver campus groper continues to raise some serious concerns. Numerous accounts of Campus Security Alerts in regards to a groper who accosts female students who walk alone. A specific alert from The Denver Channel says, “He grabbed her arm, and then forcibly fondled her groin.”

Boothe states, “I never feel safe walking home alone. Whether it’s during the day or at night. It’s very scary but it’s nice to receive the alerts from Campus Safety.” Students seem to be unaware of the Campus Safety Escort Program. Willis says, “I’ve never heard of that but it sounds good.”

The Campus Safety Escort Program is a program for students who don’t want to walk alone to and from classes so they have the option of having a safety escort by calling 303-871-2334. Students are also unaware that DU offers a 90-minute self-defense class.

Boothe says, “That’s all news to me. If I would’ve known I would’ve taken advantage of those opportunities sooner. It might help if Campus Safety would spread the word about that a little better and maybe our campus will be safer.”

In hopes of improving campus safety, Bailey has hopes of making a paper survey for students consisting of three questions: “How do you think Campus Safety could improve security on campus? Would you feel as if your privacy is being invaded if we put up security cameras around campus? Have you been to our 90-minute self-defense class?”

With countless attempts at protecting the University of Denver campus, Campus Safety continues to do their best to protect the students, but it seems as if their best fails to make students feels completely safe on their own campus.

J. Crew, TJ Maxx’s hottest new brand

J. Crew at Cherry Creek Mall, Denver, CO. Photo taken by Savannah C. 

J. Crew has been populating news outlets such as Bloomberg news and the Washington Post for the past few months, most recently for laying off 175 corporate headquarters employees.  The cuts are one of the latest modifications in an effort to revive the company after J. Crew had one of its lowest revenue producing years since the company was established in 1983.  (Link to business insider).  J. Crew customers are so upset by the retailer’s poor quality merchandise and inconsistent sizes at such high price points that loyal customers have began to abstain from buying the brand, causing excess items to be sold in discount stores like TJ Maxx.

In addition to laying off 175 employees at the company’s New York City headquarters, CEO, Mickey Drexler decided to promote Somsack Sikhounmuong as the new Head of Women’s Design in June 2015.  Formerly, Tom Mora’s position, Sikhounmuong has two years experience as Madewell’s, J. Crew’s sister store, Head of Design and will work under President and Executive Creative Director, Jenna Lyons.  Drexler hopes that “…with Somsack in his new role…we will focus on making critical improvements to our J.Crew women’s assortment including fit, design aesthetic and styling” (Millard Drexel, PR Newswire).

Did you know that slavery still exists?

SOLD Project (photo provided by UCSB Sex Info)

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the world slavery?

“Extinct.” “Olden Days.” “Present.” “Disgusting.”

When one first hears the word slavery, many think back into American History where there were plantations and farmhands. What most people do not know is that slavery still exists today. There are millions of people who are living in slavery. Unfortunately, there has not been a time that slavery or even sex slavery when slavery did not exist. For example, most of society has heard plenty of stories in our history classes about former presidents and leaders of our countries from way back when fostering children with their slaves; a privileged man who is able to have sexual relations with an unwilling woman.

An undercover issue: women across the world not receiving the best healthcare

Dr. Lori Warren MD, is a leading gynecologic surgeon based in Louisville, KY that is right at the forefront of promoting women’s health, especially in regards to a largely unrecognized yet alarming issue in women’s healthcare that is central to her personal and professional life.  This issue is minimally invasive surgery—or lack thereof.

Dr. Lori Warren and Me pictured in her home where I was able to interview her

Dr. Warren specializes in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and unlike many doctors in her field, keeps up to date with the most advanced, cutting edge surgical techniques.  Dr. Warren expresses frustration saying, “about fifty percent of doctors practicing gynecologic surgery are still doing it the old fashioned way, cutting women open.” She continues explaining, “using minimally invasive surgical techniques women are left with a scar that is hardly noticeable, reduced costs, and a recovery period of only a couple days.”

It may seem obvious that gynecologic doctors would want to provide the best care for their patients, but Dr. Warren says that many don’t.  She continues saying, “it infuriates me that some doctors are too lazy to educate themselves on how to provide the best care for women.  So I have made it my mission to educate women and other doctors as best as I can to urge them to seek the best medical care.”

Hysterectomies, the removal of the uterus, are the second most commonly performed surgery, next to the caesarean section.  Dr. Warren performs multiple hysterectomies a day, and explains that she runs into an extreme case where she has to perform an open-incision surgery about twice a year.  Although the benefits derived from minimally-invasive surgery are seemingly endless, many doctors in the field of gynecology remain reluctant to change.

Dr. Warren is one of the leading specialists in the field of gynecology.  She travels the world educating doctors and teaching them techniques to perform minimally invasive surgery, and is the founder of Pass the Pearls, a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and urge women to seek the best healthcare possible.  Dr. Warren explains saying, “I have found that women are extremely trusting of their doctors, and are hesitant to question the care they receive—that is why I have dedicated much of what I do towards the education of women.”

Many surgeries that are common in both men and women have completely switched to minimally invasive procedures, but for some reason the switch has yet to come full circle in the field of gynecology.  Dr. Warren’s Pass the Pearls website provides an interactive map where women can locate surgeons that practice minimally invasive surgery and can provide women with the most pristine healthcare.

The non-profit organization is represented by jewelry designed by a jewelry collection designed by louisville jewelry designer, Cindy Borders.  As seen in the photo below, the jewelry features a hoop that is the maximum size of incisions made in minimally invasive surgery and a pearl that represents “the wisdom that is passed to women about their surgical options.”

http://www.passthepearls.org/index.php

Pass the Pearls earrings made by Cindy Borders, photo taken from Pass the Pearls website

Dr. Warren has spoken about Pass the Pearls and minimally invasive surgery on various media outlets.  She has been featured on Dr. Oz and on CBS evening news with Dr. Jon LaPook and Katie Couric. Below is a link to her segment on CBS evening news:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=12&v=cLRwWsBiSVI

A friend and partner in Louisville-based Women First, obstetrics and gynecology practice, Dr. Rebecca Booth MD, is also a well recognized name in the field of gynecology and supporter of Dr. Warren’s mission.  Dr. Warren and Dr. Booth were recently featured in Kentucky’s MD Update magazine about minimally invasive techniques.  In the article, Dr. Booth is quoted saying, “the approach is always individualized depending on the size of the uterus, the need for ovarian conservation, the patient’s habits, and the patient’s preferences.”  In the article, both Dr. Booth and Dr. Warren elaborate on the myriad of benefits offered by the minimally invasive technique.

Dr. Warren with Dr. Booth on the cover of Kentucky’s MD Update

Dr. Booth is the author of women’s health book, The Venus Week, and skincare line, Veneffect.  She continues to practice gynecology in Louisville, but is also an expert in women’s hormones and health.  The Venus Week is a useful guide for women who want to maintain their venus glow both mentally and physically all month long.

Dr. Booth’s skin care line is one that is very unique.  She explains saying, “it is the only skincare line that contains hormones, which prevents aging like no other product on the market.”  Dr. Booth’s book and skin care products are featured on her website and in Neiman Marcus stores. http://www.thevenusweek.com

Dr. Warren participates in a fellowship program through The University of Louisville Medical School, where new doctors can train under her in order to learn the techniques of minimally invasive hysterectomies.  One of her former fellows, Dr. Jessica Shepherd MD, shares a similar passion for Dr. Warren’s mission to educate women and provide the best medical care.

Dr. Shepherd now lives and practices in Chicago, IL.  On working alongside Dr. Warren through the University of Louisville fellowship program, Dr. Shepherd says, “I am so thankful for my opportunity to learn from and work with Dr. Warren.  She is a truly unbelievable surgeon and an inspiration to me and many other doctors.”  Additionally, Dr. Shepherd has been a huge help and supporter of Pass the Pearls saying, “the mission of the organization is so important and something that I think all women should be more aware of.”  She adds saying, “I still cannot believe that Dr. Warren is the first person to take solid steps toward sparking a change that needs to happen.”

Dr. Jessica Shepherd pictured wearing Pass the Pearls earrings in surgery, photo taken from Pass the Pearls website

Dr. Warren, Dr. Booth, and Dr. Shepherd are three individuals who are extremely passionate about their patients and women in general.  They all agree that women should receive the best healthcare possible.  In achieving this, it is important that both gynecologists and people at large become aware of the issue and options that are available.