The Story, part Two: My Professor is Accused of Being a Tool of the Devil.

This post is a continuation of They just accept anyone to KSU now, don't they? 

Our story continues just one week after several students have been assured that their professor will contact them if they can help in any way regarding a potentially threatening student. We are back in class on Tuesday, and the Student-in-Question (SIQ) has yet to produce a doctor's excuse to the professor for missing her debate. Additionally, the student's behavior was even more disturbing than it was the previous week....

Student B wrote a formal statement regarding this week's incident, an excerpt of which is below:

[B]efore the next class (having been dealing with this for a week and a half now) [the Student-in-Question] explained that she had found Jesus and was in current conflict with the devil. She wanted to ensure that I “had her back.” The tone and situation made me extremely uncomfortable and frankly made [me] unable to focus during class. Which is why, after class, I went up to [ the Professor] and asked about the situation with the student in question, only to find out this problem has not only disturbed me but other students in the class.

Student A also wrote a statement concerning what s/he witnessed:

I noticed [SIQ] was reading a book with “Jesus saves” or something similar to that written on the title, and was on the internet on her phone all class. I didn’t think much of the book until a few minutes into class when I saw her in the corner of my eye writing with a lot of force on her notebook. I looked a little closer at her paper she was writing on, and noticed she was writing in capital, bold letters with some of the words being underlined. The first few lines had things written such as: “I WILL NOT open the door if the devil knocks!!!!”, “I WILL be a disciple of Jesus!!!” , and another quote about anger. It was something that was very odd to me because it should not be occurring in class, but I couldn’t help but look because it was very distracting and she was very loud in the way she was writing. At this point in class, I was so distracted that I had no idea what was going on... I noticed the kid sitting to the other side of [SIQ] kept looking over at her as well. I would start to pay attention in class again but then she would be reading her Jesus book and turned the pages very loudly. After she read something, she would proceed to write more things on her paper. 

Then I saw [SIQ] write down [Professor’s] name. The first line regarding [Professor] said, “Thank [Professor] for testing my faith and making me use my true strength.” This struck me as very odd and distracted me even more because it got me thinking as to what it was about, so I wrote it down verbatim. I then saw [Professor's] name written again... [N]ext to it was a big star, as if marking its importance... I saw some more things written about Jesus and the devil that it started to freak me out a little bit, especially since [Professor's] name was on the same paper as this.

Whoa... must be some horrible professor, right?? WRONG. This professor has been teaching part-time at KSU for several years now, consistently receiving stellar student reviews and repeat students in her classes. Also, several student petitions have circulated to ensure this professor is allowed to teach higher level/more rigorous upper division classes. Consistently successful and well-liked, this professor is one of the best in the department in the student's eyes. Yet she is considered a tool of the devil by a disgruntled and unruly student? Surely these superiors would back this professor against such egregious claims! We were wrong. (Sidenote: apparently SIQ hates this professor so much, that she is currently enrolled in her third, yes, you read it right, THIRD class with this professor. Hm.... she must be terrible.)

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After several students complained to/spoke with the professor, the professor, realizing that the situation had escalated out of her control, arranged an emergency meeting between the concerned students and the the Department of Political Science and International Affairs Chair. Us students were thrilled! We felt like this was the absolute best person to speak to regarding our concern for our professor's safety, as well as our own. The professor assured us that she had the utmost confidence in her department chair and was certain he would know exactly what to do. We were all wrong, again.

Several students sat in a meeting with the department chair and our professor, explaining SIQ's actions, our own interactions with the SIQ, our extremely distracted/uncomfortable learning environment, and our safety fears. We also sent (anonymously, through our professor) formal written statements concerning the incident. This meeting with the chair was less than informative, and frankly, a waste of our time. The chair droned on and on and on about a "two track process." This explanation was not really an explanation on all.

Track A was, supposedly, a manner by which the department chair could assure that SIQ was evaluated psychologically, and therefore deemed unfit to be in our class. Track B, on the other hand, was a removal of this student on behavior/conduct grounds. Seeing as how SIQ was not only obviously mentally unstable (a bum on the street could figure that out), but also a huge distraction to our learning environment, we felt that either process would work out just fine in removing SIQ from our classroom. We were wrong, yet again.

The listened to our concerns, all the while furiously scribbling on a legal pad. And yes, I do mean scribbling. Circles, squares, lines, nothing but scribbles; not a single note or demarcation of our aired grievances. As off-putting as this was, when the chair asked for written statements, we figured he would do something with them that would make a difference in our classroom experience. We were wrong, yet again.

The department chair never followed up with the students concerning our meeting or our statements. He did, though, tell our professor to inform us that 'everything was handled' and we 'had nothing to worry about' any longer. Once again, we were wrong. How many times is that now???

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The next week in class, the SIQ was present. Students were in shock as they entered the room. Some students literally opened their mouths in surprise. Our professor was clearly uncomfortable, and throughout the lesson seemed to be intimidated by SIQ's presence. None of the normally talkative and engaged students uttered a word during the entire lecture. Class ended 20 minutes early; something unheard of in this particular professor's classes. The professor spoke with us after class and explained that she was limited in what she could say, but a group of KSU faculty deemed the "behavioral response team" assured her that SIQ was fine to be in class, and in fact, belonged there. Apparently "the two track process" had failed, or at least Track A had.

So that leaves Track B - conduct/behavior. As this student was a complete distraction to the students and professor, surely this would be taken into account by the higher-ups of KSU. Tune in later this week for the next chapter of our story, in which I explain how we were wrong.... again.

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Further reading...

Other student statements regarding this student include, but are not limited to:

[A]fter dealing with this for two weeks, I feel my learning environment has been disturbed enough and to a point where for the first time in my collegiate career I feel the need to reach out to some level of authority. 

During all of our class debates concerning gun rights, she ALWAYS brings up the fact that she has a gun. Someone with these ridiculous mood swings and attitude changes and major personality flaws is not someone I want to sit in a closed room with twice a week. I have a genuine and sincere fear that she would bring a gun to school.

The thought of sitting with her in class or the idea that she might blame me at some point for her problems and freak out legitimately frightens me.

From the outside looking in, [SIQ's] behavior and attitude towards people changes literally day to day.  

Given this situation and many other instances, I feel [SIQ] is very unstable and could go off at any minute. Her hostility towards a situation as simple as this is an example of her mental instability, so I fear what could happen if the situation progresses.  

I felt extremely uncomfortable. I feel as if... if I make [SIQ] mad she will turn on me, especially now that... we have class together.

In addition to being very distracting, her writings of Jesus, the devil, and [Professor] are very disturbing to me and should be looked into.   

I fear for the safety of myself, my classmates, and [the] Professor. 

Legal disclaimer: No references to any persons, real or imaginary, inferred or implied by this post.

They just accept anyone to KSU now, don't they?

For those of you who have been following my Facebook posts over the last several weeks, this explanation has been long-awaited. This first post will serve as an "introduction" to discuss the situation that myself, along with one of my professors and many of my classmates, have been experiencing at Kennesaw State University throughout the month of September. I will be releasing subsequent posts further explaining the situation as it progressed/continues to progress. I feel so strongly about the horrendous manner in which the people involved were treated that I feel a principled obligation to expose this absurdity to the KSU community. Here we go...

On September 11, 2012, I stayed late after one of my political science classes had ended in order to speak with the professor about a paper that's due date was approaching. Another student (whom will be referred to as Student A from here on out) was also hanging around  after class had been dismissed to speak with the professor. Student A and myself were standing side by side, and the professor was behind the computer desk/podium at the front of the classroom.

Another student in the class (who will henceforth be referred to as the Student-in-Question, or "SIQ") was currently speaking with the professor, and standing about 3 feet from the open classroom door. By the time Student A and I arrived to the on-going conversation, we heard the SIQ state "I know you have been lied to in the past, so I want to make sure that we are okay." Student A and I looked at each other quizzically then shrugged it off, having no clue what SIQ was referring to. The SIQ then asked, "So you need a doctor's excuse?" to which the professor replied "Yes, thank you." The student then left the room.

Just seconds later, the SIQ re-entered the room, red-faced, and in a loud, accusatory tone asked again, "You seriously need a doctor's note?" The professor, again, said "Yes, please. I do." What happened next sent my jaw to the floor...

The Student-in-Question took a large step towards the professor and swelled out her chest; the professor looked shocked and took a step backwards. I remember thinking to myself "Oh my God, she's going to hit her." The SIQ then about-faced and rushed out of the classroom, slamming the door behind her.

Student A and I turned to our professor. We were all sharing the same astonished and pale expression. We all were convinced, just a moment earlier, that our professor was going to be assaulted by a student. Now time for the back-story...

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The previous week in class, two student teams were scheduled to debate each other; one team arguing for the pro side, and one team for the con. Before class started that day, the professor was out in the hallway speaking with the (tear-streaked and red-nosed) Student-in-Question. The SIQ was speaking to the professor through giant sobs, then hugged the professor. Another student, Student B, walked by the professor and SIQ and told  SIQ to "feel better." The SIQ left, never attending class that day. Student B and the professor spoke in the hallway for a few moments, then both entered the classroom.

The SIQ was supposed to be on the "pro" side of the debate that day, along with Student B and another student, as anyone in the class who had seen our debate sign-up sheets would know. I asked Student B after class why SIQ was not in the debate. He answered, "well, I'm not really sure."

Student B explained to me that the SIQ informed the debate team the night before that she was suffering from food poisoning and would be unable to participate in the debate the next day because of her illness. Student B also informed me, though, that a twist had been thrown into the story. 

When Student B told SIQ to "feel better," the professor became curious as to why he would say such a thing and kept him out in the hallway to explain himself. The professor was appalled that Student B would make such a calloused and nonchalant comment to the Student-in-Question considering her terrible circumstances. Student B was, of course, completely confused by the professor's line of questioning. As it turned out, the SIQ told her debate team that she had some type of medication-induced poisoning from a doctor's mis-diagnosis, and as a result, had been in the ER the entire day before. However, the SIQ told the professor that her mother was convinced that her father was trying to kill her, but SIQ's daughter stayed at her mother's house during the day, so she had to go retrieve her daughter immediately. Well, those stories didn't exactly match up, now did they?

Student B informed me that the professor asked him to forward all debate team correspondence so she could see the discrepancy in the two tales. Student B told me that he thought maybe the SIQ was embarrassed of the true story, and made up one to tell the debate team. Later that day, the professor spoke with the SIQ to establish exactly what the reason for missing the debate was. I was unable to obtain further details as to the excuse given by the SIQ; however, Student B spoke with the professor, as his debate grade was possibly affected by SIQ's absence, and relayed to me that the third excuse, was in fact, different from the previous two excuses.

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The next week, after connecting all the dots, Student A and I realized that the Student-in-Question was upset with the professor because she had asked the SIQ to provide a doctor's excuse for her absence. We asked the professor if she was okay. She seemed fine, but certainly shaken up after the would-be assault. Student A and I assured the professor that we would file any report necessary and inform whatever official needed to ensure that the SIQ was held accountable for her hostile behavior to the professor. The professor assured us that she would let us know if we could help in any way, and we all left class and went on our merry way.

Little did we know, though, this situation was only just beginning....

The way I have pieced this story together is through many conversations with the affected students and KSU officials who supposedly "handled" the situation. Due to the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act, the professor was legally barred from discussing with me and the other concerned students about the details of the Student-in-Question's story/medical history.

Legal disclaimer: No references to any persons, real or imaginary, inferred or implied by this post.

It's not like women actually care! ....do they?

At least that's what Stephanie Cutter, Obama's reelection deputy campaign manager, had to say yesterday in an NPR interview with Diane Rehm:

“We’ll continue doing what we have been doing, trying to get the president’s message out on the ground. Whether it’s in the suburban areas of Northern Virginia, or Denver, Ohio, to talk about what the president wants to do in the future. That’s the other thing that you find most often with women. They’re not really concerned about what’s happened over the last four years, they really want to know what’s going to happen in the next four years.” LINK

Secondly, an NPR blog post addresses the growing gender gap in the upcoming election, attempting to conclude why it is that more women say they support Obama than Romney in the current polls.

"Social issues matter in the gender gap, but the real big dividing lines are what government should be doing for the poor, the elderly and the size of safety net," Doherty says. LINK 

I'm not happy with either of these two statements (go figure). To me, what is truly insulting to women is not so-called repressive conservative principles. What truly insults women is the assumption that their only concerns in life are their reproductive organs or their hyperbolic emotional need to help those less fortunate... Talk about reinforcing repressive gender roles! The above-referenced blog pigeonholes women as a caregiver/nurturer. Cutter's comments insinuate that women are unconcerned with topics like the economy, unemployment, or the gendered wage gap. (As I have said in a previous post, Obama's own cabinet members have an 18% difference in income between male and female staffers.)

True advancement for females will be the day that women truly believe they are equal to men, instead of denying/revolting against their biological gender and desiring to be like men. Is a woman moving up more in the world when she focuses her time/energy/emotion on subsidizing healthcare or building up the poor than a woman who fights for equal pay and furthers her education? I say no. I believe that a woman who works to provide opportunities to other women (and men alike) to become greater and to better themselves in society will always be more noble than a woman who provides a hand-out.

When I think about the ways that I can personally advance myself as a female, I don't think about the ways that I can make things easier for others - I think about the ways that I can make things BETTER for people. Women can change the world with their contributions to society. However, giving a hand-out, government subsidized or not, does not help a person in the future... it helps them temporarily, and then they are right back in the exact same spot again.

In closing, no, Stephanie, I'm not only worried about the future. And no, NPR blogger, women don't only care about helping others out. Women care about the economy, past and present, employment rates, past and present, and social issues, past and present, and the list goes on and on and on.

I am a woman who understands the America of the past, prays for the America of the present, and works for the America of the future.

Four years later.

This video is too great, guys. No original thoughts/work product here from me, but too wonderful not to share.

Christian Craftaholics (no longer) Anonymous

For those of you that know me outside of the internet, you know that I am an avid crafter. Jewelry, picture frames, holiday decorations, homemade anything gets me excited. My very first job was at Michaels Arts and Crafts, and by the time I left, after four years with the company, I had worked my way up to a managerial position. That being said, I am a craft store enthusiast... Well let me tell you something - I am extremely enthusiastic about Hobby Lobby.

On September 13, 2012, the Christian-operated company took a stand against Obamacare by filing a lawsuit against the federal government regarding the requirement that they, despite being a Christian-owned and operated company, provide employees with the morning-after pill as part of their health insurance plans.

If I've said it once, I have said it enough times to rival the national debt in numbers: this is not a women's rights issue. This is not an issue that affects a woman's body. This issue concerns invasive government and intrusive public policy. Those who choose to take birth control should not be refused the right to make that choice, but the government should not be allowed to threaten a company with extreme fines (up to $1.3 million PER DAY) for not providing birth control to its employees.

BIRTH CONTROL IS NOT A RIGHT. HEALTH CARE IS NOT A RIGHT. 

People say vote with your feet? Work with your feet. If you are only staying in a job to ensure you get a cheap co-pay on the morning-after pill, perhaps it is time to consider a career change.

Being the creep I am, I already stalked the Hobby Lobby Facebook page to see what everyone else was saying about the situation. One of the "fan" posts accusingly asks, "So you would shut your doors to a whole group of people and lose money just for religious beliefs?" Well, that seems like a silly question. Obviously, business is not what it is most important here; Christian ideals are driving this company, not a pay check. I made sure to write my own comment on the page:

I am going to make a personal commitment to craft all of my friend's Christmas presents this year, with materials purchased solely from Hobby Lobby, in an attempt to show my support for this company's bravery in standing up for their faith and fighting against big government. I can finally put my crafty Pinterest board to good use!

And for my loyal and lovely readers, here is a coupon! Just print and go, good through Saturday!

P.S. Does anyone want to go shopping at Hobby Lobby, then craft over lunch at Chick-fil-A?? :)

Never forget.

Hard to believe it has been 11 years since the September 11 attacks. This is a day no American will ever forget. This is a day whose news coverage will forever be etched in the memories of each and every man, woman, and child until their last earthly breath. God Bless America.

"When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he comes up to the people, He will invade them with his troops.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habbakuh 3:16-18

Dresses & Pearls on Republican Girls

I wasn't going to blog about Wasserman Schultz's comments about Republican women - I swear, I wasn't. But the anger I felt upon first reading about her remarks has grown and grown into a pit of fire in my stomach. Her comments, coupled with (multiple) veiled compliments I have received this week regarding my own political activism, have sent me over the edge.

Let's get started:

"I think we believe that women can see through that nice shiny packaging that the Republicans have been putting out there, through to what’s inside, which is really a disaster for women’s future, extreme policies" -Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Does she really believe that pro-life women are just for show? Are social conservatives a lesser type of women than the Democratic women who think my tax dollars should pay for their birth control?

So, Debs, I have to ask - which one is it? Are you the role model women should look to? Or are you just as sexist as those Republicans that you claim hate and repress women?  If the Democrats truly are the women that are "real" women, they seem to be more like a lynch mob in an Emma Stone movie.

I will never understand why it is so hard for some women to understand that there is a huge group of women who do not believe that abortion is moral and who don't believe that the government should take money from one person to pay for the healthcare of another. It has nothing to do with "knowing what is best for a woman's body" - this debate is centered around personal responsibility and the role of government.

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Over the past week, I had several people who really encouraged me. I received a phone call from a Cobb GOP member/local activist just to ask how he could help the KSU for Romney cause and sincerely thanked me for the volunteer work I have been putting in. Another Cobb GOP gentleman told me "thank you so much" when I told him that I would head up volunteer recruitment for the Hunter Hill and John Carson campaigns. I laughed and said "why, where you going to be roped into it?" He looked me dead in the eye and said, "no, Tori, I really mean thank you. We all appreciate your help." of course I felt like a jerk for making the joke after that, but the sincerity he showed made me feel so valuable to the county's 2012 Victory Team. A classmate commented on a status for the Students for Romney group, "Tori, thanks for promoting the Republicans....you are doing a great job!" Talk about encouraging!

Then, I had a few opposite experiences that weren't quite as pleasant. My Facebook has been blocked from quite a few people now. I made comments about Sandra Fluke (which personally, I found to be absolutely hilarious, as did many of my other friends). I was promptly called every name in the book that is a synonym for harlot by a "tolerant" democrat. That isn't even the worst of it, though. I can get over that. What REALLY bothers me the most is the so-called "supportive" friends who are using veiled compliments to infer that I am incompetent or less than professional. Some of my favorite 'compliments' this week were: "So you are a patriot if you vote for the GOP? Classy, Tori." and "Your party devotion is so cute :-)" and "Whoa, you have really worked hard, haven't you? I didn't realize you did like campaigns and stuff." Really, guys? REALLY? I understand if you don't care about politics, or if you disagree with my ideology, but that doesn't make my passion or hard work less in any way. Sure, I can be rude to liberals every now and then, but I never go out of my way to harass people on Facebook. Mainly, because I like to (at least pretend) that I have a life, but also, what's the point? Facebook is NOT the place for political conversions and most people know that. Arguing with me will never make me change my mind, just as me calling you a slut or classless on your page won't make you like the GOP anymore. If you want to convert people, then knock on a door or pick up the phone. Don't blow up my notifications. And I hate to be a feminist Felicia, but calling my party devotion cute or my passion adorable? Do you think young men working in politics are referred to in that manner? No, they are given a slap on the back and a handshake and told "good job, son." I don't want special treatment or recognition for being a woman invested in this country's future - I want my work recognized for it's merit, not how I look doing it.

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One last thing that really gets me going... not only do people frequently infer that politics is just a hobby or a club for me instead of a passion that will become a profession, but people bring my anatomy into it. That's right, folks, I'm going to talk about lady parts. I see every day and hear quite often that I am not a "real woman" for being a part of the Republican party. These are the Sandras and the Debbies of the world - the women who are tolerant... until you disagree. The woman who think that men don't know what is best for a woman's body, but they sure as hell think they know what is best for other women's bodies. Let me make these points extremely clear: 

1. Being a conservative, traditional woman in NO WAY makes you less of a woman. 

2. Being feminine in NO WAY makes you inherently subservient or oppressed by men. 

3. Being concerned with the way other people see you and desiring to look well-kept and pretty in NO WAY makes you a victim of male-driven beauty standards.

I completely and whole-heartedly agree with the movement that I have seen lately which says women who dress a certain way (revealing or sexy) are never asking to be the victims of sexual crimes, as some people (and current laws/legislation) insinuate, but whatever happened to modesty? Why are women who do want to dress conservatively and wear nice name-brand clothes and fix their hair and put on makeup considered superficial and vain by some and repressed by others? A mid-drift top is blatantly revealing, but a high-waisted knee length skirt, a silk blouse, and a set of pearls is an outfit that will make any Plain Jane look irresistibly alluring, in a subtle manner, at a dinner party or campaign reception. When you are in the workforce and want to "look the part" you need to be able to stand on your own merit and be knowledgeable enough that people focus on you, not your tranny-eye shadow or your pushed-up Double Ds. Anecdote time: I had a client ask me on a date (as a professional, I told him that it was entirely inappropriate for me to have a personal relationship with a client... plus he was totally not my type) and it wasn't because I had my chest all up in his face or thick make-up outlining "come hither" eyes - he showed an interest in me because I handled his case in a professional manner, I was consistently friendly in all of our correspondence, and then when he met me in person, he saw a woman in a business setting who was both confident and (more than) competent, outfitted in a nice dress with natural makeup and a blow-out. It didn't take a club outfit and a potty mouth to make this man interested. Being feminine did not put me at a disadvantage, just as it has never once put me at a disadvantage in any job I have ever held. Dressing conservatively did not make me any less proud of my female anatomy.

There is a reason that professional outfits don't include fish-nets, corsets, and mini-skirts. There is also a reason that business casual doesn't include ratty tee shirts and blue jeans. Whatever happened to taking pride in your appearance and not wanting to look like a slob? This comment will make some liberal readers angry, but I'm going to say it anyways because... well, because it is my blog and I do what I want: it was very, very apparent in the video coverage of spectators from both party conventions that many Republican woman cared more about and/or do more to enhance their physical appearance. There, I said it. And I am not the only one who thinks it, either.

The bottom line is that wearing a nice dress and curling your eyelashes before a dinner party doesn't make women petty, and it doesn't mean they are pressured to look a certain way. It means that they want people to view them in a certain light (i.e.: professional, classy, beautiful). So Debbie, next time you need a Democratic talking point to try and win over the female vote, be sure not to confuse our outer "shiny packaging" with our inner glow of confidence, pride, and beauty.

Signed, a girl who spends way too much money on makeup and doesn't look like Ru Paul.

Your chance to get plugged in

Hello all!

This post is not about my opinion or a current event. This post is to help you get plugged into the community and work first hand in this election cycle.

On the KSU Campus:

KSU Students for Romney www.facebook.com/KSUStudentsforRomney

Like the page and join our email list to get info on volunteer opportunities with the Romney campaign. We are working with the Georgia Association of College Republicans and the Cobb County GOP to make sure the conservative message is spread all across the nation!

In the county:

Never forgot about your county party - they are not only plugged into the presidential race, but they can also put you in contact with candidates who have democratic opposition in November. If you have the time and are located in Cobb County, please strongly consider volunteering with Students for Romney and/or the following local campaigns:

1. Hunter Hill (State Senate) http://www.votehunterhill.com/

2. John Carson (State House) http://www.votejohncarson.com/

3. Sam Teasley (State House) http://www.samteasley.com/

4. Phil Daniel (State House) http://www.facebook.com/PhilforStateHouse

If you know of another contested race that is looking for volunteers in this cycle, please see my "about the author page" and email me the information - I will be more than happy to add them to this list.

Don't forget, almost every county has a Young, Teen, or College Republicans chapter. The youth has a voice - don't let your voice go unheard.

GET INVOLVED!

-Tori