Ohio University is a community of people always willing to support one another.
Ellis Hall is beauty on Ohio University’s campus. The huge white pillars illuminated in the night are a sight for any Bobcat to admire. Ellis Hall is home to the English Department at Ohio University. Inside at its roots, the bathrooms serve as a safe place for lost thoughts. The women’s restrooms are tattooed with small phrases, words of encouragement and brutal honesty.
On the morning of March 29, 2016 I read the words written by Jessica Cook, who works in the Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance. The document was hanging inside the bathroom stall with highlighted sentences. It was an email sent to makeousafe@gmail.com, with the subject “Contacting You In Regard to Graffiti in Ellis Hall.” The highlighted excerpt reads, “Please note that, based upon the information written on the bathroom stall, we are very concerned about the safety of the campus community."
This initial sentence should be disturbing to any OU student. The following sentence reads, “If you are comfortable doing so, I would really encourage any parties with relevant information to consider talking to my office about your experiences."
The email discusses sexual misconduct and lends a helping hand to those who are victims or know someone who is a victim. Cook ends the email by saying, “You are entitled to an educational environment that is free from discrimination or harassment.”
The email was written beautifully with open arms. The ECRC mission statement reads, “The Office of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance ensures that the University maintains an employment and educational environment that is free from discrimination and harassment ... by providing avenues for the resolution of grievances which are based on protected status."
This email seems to be written with the motive of helping this individual without any sort or judgment and to offer a safe place. OU students are encouraged to grow in every aspect of their lives. President McDavis has a wonderful first lady by his side, Deborah McDavis. Mrs. McDavis emphasizes “the importance of academic excellence, civic responsibility, and good character” in her mission statement. Mr. and Mrs. McDavis stand side by side to help Ohio University students achieve their full potential in regards to academics and morality.
Ohio University prides itself on making campus hOUme. Not only do university officials pride themselves on this slogan, students do too. Each Bobcat has a huge heart. We have all escaped the outside world and continue to exist in our own reality of Athens, Ohio. We are completely aware of the world turning around us, but we have defined our concerns, priorities and struggles as our own. The respectable reputation of Ohio University’s journalism school, E.W. Scripps, offers each student a voice. There are many activist groups on campus to ensure that no Bobcat feels they are being discriminated. Groups like Black Lives Matter, F--kRapeCulture and the LGBT Center all work tirelessly to make Ohio University safe for every student. This safety helps OU students reach their full potential.
Cook’s email was a message to us all; please talk to those who are there to help you. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Your Bobcat family will always support you. Bobcats work for change, we use our voice and we accomplish our goals. We do not turn a blind eye to issues that are obvious on campus; we confront them with the courage of a Bobcat. To all those involved with Ohio University that make it a safe and encouraging home, from one Bobcat to another, thank you.
Katelyn McDonough is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University.
