Category: News

NACS School Board and Teacher’s Union agree on teacher raises

By: Caroline Chastain

Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees and the Northwest Allen County Educators Association reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement on Sept. 25, outlining more than $1,800 in raises for NACS teachers.

Collective bargaining is a process for teacher unions that dates back to 1973. The process is a familiar one for NACS and NACEA, although this was the first time NACS hosted a public hearing in regard to the tentative collective bargaining agreement, which took place before the board’s meeting on Oct. 14.

The process to reach an agreement begins with an analysis of state funding for the fiscal year, and then salary changes for teachers are dictated respectively. According to Lizette Downey, NACS Chief Communications Officer, this was a relatively smooth year for this process, regardless of the newly implemented public hearing.

Throughout the entire process, the school board and NACEA representatives work closely.

“We really do work together during this process. It’s in our best interest to consider the teachers in this process so that we can compete for talent and so our kids have the best quality teachers we can find,” NACS Superintendent Chris Himsel said.

The three major components of the negotiation are insurance benefits, retirement, and salaries and stipends. One of the newer focuses of this year’s agreement is on continued education for teachers.

“We have been focusing on changing the contract over the years to give an incentive for professional growth and reward teachers for their commitment to the district,” said Jim Walker, one of the teacher union’s chief negotiators.

Among the salary increases for NACS employees is an addition of $245 for continuing professional learning. Teachers with more than 5 years of experience will also be eligible for $273 in stipends.

Himsel said that this stresses NACS’s desire to employ only the most experienced and expert staff, to provide its students with the highest quality of education.

Coincidingly, teachers are now offered a stipend of $800 for earning a National Board Certification. According to Himsel, very few NACS teachers are currently Board certified, so this incentive has been put in place to encourage more teachers to work towards one.

With this agreement reached, NACS teachers will receive a minimum base salary of $41,250 this school year. Teachers with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for a maximum base salary of $66,000, and those with a master’s degree, a maximum base salary of $70,125.

Additional potential stipends are available for performance based on teacher’s annual reviews. Reviews with indication of “ineffective” or “needs improvement” are not eligible for raises, while those receiving “effective” or “highly effective” can earn up to $1,007 of additions to their salary.

NACS teachers are also seeing a raise in their pay checks by $842 because the general assembly recently reduced the amount school districts are required to pay into teachers’ state retirement funds.

Five NACS employees were contacted to comment on the raises, and none wanted to discuss the topic.

With all of these changes implemented in this year’s NACS and NACEA tentative collective bargaining agreement, teachers are experiencing a $1,849 minimum increase in their base salary. Those already at the maximum base salary will receive these increases as stipends.

NACEA President Steve Driver shared that these changes are in an effort to both reward and retain the best teachers.

“Essentially these changes make us a better school system and help our students because of how it rewards our teachers to work to their fullest,” Driver said.

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Three Rivers Visiting Dogs fosters love and reduces stigma

By: Lydia Braswell

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is at its close, but Three Rivers Visiting Dogs promote visibility all year round. The Fort Wayne-based organization has a goal to reduce the stigma with the help of trained dogs certified to make a difference in our community.

College students engaged in activities during Mental Health Week at Purdue University Fort Wayne to raise awareness and help prevent suicide – the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-34, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The center of attention was dedicated to floppy ears and wagging tails who welcomed love and attention from students as we took a break from dealing with the daily stresses of college life.

“It really helps the kids– coming here, petting the dogs,” said Bob Everest, founder of the nonprofit. “It lowers your blood pressure and changes things in your day that are going bad.”

Trained service dogs can detect oncoming anxiety and provide stress relief, according to Medical News Today. Three Rivers Visiting Dogs’ immersion into the Fort Wayne community gives the team members a chance to share their own stories and show that mental health issues don’t have to always be associated with negative memories.

Ginger is a Cavalier lap dog with a special talent for service to her owner. To some, she is a physical reminder that a person relies on her help to tackle their daily life. To others, she is a reminder that mental health issues don’t have to be kept secret.

Charlotte Coburn, Ginger’s owner, reminisced on how she bonded with her service dog. “We got her for our 50th wedding anniversary… and that was ten years ago,” Coburn said with a laugh.

Raising awareness is a primary way to reduce the stigma around mental health. PFW’s counseling center is a free, convenient resource for the general public that has not been heavily advertised. Dr. Joel Givenz, a counselor at the center, explained how the “disease model” impacts a person’s choice to either stay quiet about the issues they tackle or not tackle them at all.

“Depending on cultural norms, sometimes a person will believe that counseling is for ‘crazy people’ or ‘really sick people’, so sometimes counseling is associated with severe mental illness, and that’s kind of the disease model,” Dr. Givenz explained.

Sending positive messages about seeking professional help is necessary for turning over the stigma. Tim Hill, counselor-in-training at PFW’s center, said that one benefit of forming a connection with a client is creating an environment for change.

“It’s no different than if they had a cold and they went to see their doctor,” said Hill, who juggles a full-time job and providing for his family with volunteering as a counselor. “It’s still just a part of who they are, and if they think they need to improve it… then we are here and willing to help.”

Three Rivers Visiting Dogs and local counselors are doing their part to foster a welcoming environment that reduces stigma. We as a community can get involved, too. Dr. Givenz said that the more that students are involved with awareness events, the more the stigma is lowered, concerns are normalized, and people can talk about those concerns without embarrassment.

Sessions at the counseling center can be scheduled in Room 131 of the Dolnick Learning Center for Mondays 5-8 p.m, Tuesdays 12-2:30 p.m, Tuesdays 5-8 p.m, Wednesdays 5-8 p.m, and Thursdays 5-8 p.m. Call 260-481-5405 for more information.

Dr. Givenz and Everest both said that mental health professionals are transforming the way they think about treatment, and the presence of therapy dogs raises awareness for visibility. “We see the importance of touch,” said Dr. Givenz. “When it comes to an animal, it could be doing a lot of work for a person just to have something soothing nearby.”

Everest founded Three Rivers Visiting Dogs in 2000. He and his team of about 100 members go to suicide prevention events, health fairs, hospitals, and nursing homes throughout the year. The team’s many experiences led the founder to share stories that show the mental and physical impact dogs in his organization have on the public.

“We’ve had people in comas waking up petting a dog,” Everest said. “We can’t explain it… but they do a big thing.”

Everest said that he has been on several visits to people with Alzheimer’s who remember their time with the dog, and even the pet’s name, but not anything else. In another instance, the dog encouraged progression in a burn victim. Over the course of several visits, the patient went from only being able to pet the dog with one finger to embracing the animal with strength.

The team trains dogs in an immersive eight-week program to determine how they react and interact. A simple test such as bringing the dog in a hospital elevator can play a factor in whether they become certified therapy dogs or not.

Ginger passed the program with flying colors despite her own disability. “She’s completely deaf, but you would never know,” Everest said. “She loves what she’s doing.”

Three Rivers Visiting Dogs works with the National Alliance on Mental Illness by attending support groups for people with mental illness and their families every Tuesday night to reduce the stigma.

NAMI provides free crisis counseling by texting NAMI to 741-741. The National Suicide Hotline is 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

Editor’s note: A related version of this news article was featured on the Journal Gazette’s Nov. 12 edition.

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Closure of College Access TV impacts activities on campus

By: Sam Frick

This video describes the impacts of the closure of College Access TV (CTV) at Purdue University Fort Wayne. CTV unexpectedly closed in the Summer of 2019, which led to the firing of all of the CTV staff, and leaving the basement floor at Helmke Library mostly empty. Rooms and equipment that could have been in use by faculty and students (CTV Edit Suite, the Broadcast Newsroom) are all locked up, and access is restricted.

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Students find opportunities at job and internship fair

By: Troy Gooch

Students gathered at the annual Mastodon Job and Internship Fair earlier this month to look for job opportunities, internships and connections. The event, organized by Career Services, took place on Tuesday, October 1, in the Lutheran Health Fieldhouse at Purdue University Fort Wayne.

The Mastodon Job and Internship Fair had 145 employers from the state of Indiana who were looking to hire students on the spot, and for interns during the upcoming summer. Students and outsiders had various opportunities to connect with recruiters throughout the day.

Leading up to the fair, Career Services provided events for students to get prepared for their upcoming week by offering free haircuts and the opportunity to get their resume reviewed by a professional.

Susan Byers, the executive director of Career Services at Purdue University Fort Wayne provided some insight on the Mastodon Job and Internship Fair. Byers said the event is beneficial for all students because seniors can make relationships with employers for the near future, while underclassmen can also network and become more seasoned to the whole process of this event.

Career Services is an on-campus department that prepares students for the job market. They help create resumes and provide practice job interviews which prepares students for the future. Byers said that the staff also talked with employers about other opportunities to connect with students, such as the ‘Immersion Excursions’ and the ‘Lunch and Learn’ events. This allows recruiters the opportunity to spend more time connecting with students one-on-one.

Many of the 145 employers at the Mastodon Job and Internship Fair – 20 more than last year provided their company’s understanding of what they want from an employee.

“When looking for an employee, I am a firm believer that experience is a plus, but I don’t necessarily think that it is a definite deal breaker,” said Renna Jennings, a human resources generalist from Fort Financial Credit Union. “I obviously think you hire on character and train on experience.”

“It is always nice recruiting from your backyard, and the several employees from Purdue University Fort Wayne have been reliable for our company in the past,” Jennings said.

Another popular company that students talked to was The Autism Society of Indiana. Samantha Drudge a supervisor at this organization, said they have many internships and job opportunities available for students upon graduation.

“We are looking for someone who can be fun and outgoing,” Drudge said. “We work with kids and adults with autism so, finding that person who can help others out with a outgoing personality is a perfect balance.”

With many companies attending this event, there were plenty of opportunities for undergraduates to connect with recruiters and find employment. Many students graduating this semester came out in search of a job. Faculty, staff and students had the opportunity to connect with recruiters during this event.

Kolbie Knorr, a senior business major, said she felt prompted to go to this event because she had previously worked with one of the companies at the Fair and wanted to tell the recruiter she is still interested in the company upon graduation.

“Today was extremely beneficial to me,” Knorr said. “I was able to meet my number one company, and I had the opportunity to meet other recruiters that I was not aware of until I came here this afternoon.”

The next Mastodon Job and Internship Fair organized by Career Services will occur on Thursday, April 2, 2020.

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A night to cherish

Purdue University Fort Wayne hosts first Students with Families Night of the semester. The next event will be Nov. 2 for a skate night at the Roller Dome North.

By: Moriah Weaver

Purdue University Fort Wayne students and faculty gathered at Crazy Pinz for a night of fun festivities on Sept. 27 during the first “Students with Families Night” of the fall semester.

Those who attended the event from 6-8 p.m. enjoyed free pizza, beverages, and passes for bowling, laser tag, mini golf and the arcade.

The university has been offering these free and fun-filled nights to students for several years, allowing families to engage in unique and entertaining activities each month. The program, which is led by Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, was created with the goal to provide leisure activities for families that would not typically be able to spend nights out together—low-income families in particular.

According to Bachelor and General Studies Student Outreach Coordinator Cicelle Beemon, who currently plans and organizes each of the Students with Families Nights, the periodic events have attracted several regular attending students and their family members during her few years in the position.

She said it takes an immense amount of time to put together such events, but the outcome and grateful reactions from students are worth the work invested.

Beemon also explained that she feels it is of growing importance that students have this time to spend with loved ones as they get busier and pick up more responsibilities.

One Purdue University Fort Wayne student who attended the Crazy Pinz event, Nicole Bowe, definitely knows and appreciates the value of the night.

She was able to enjoy the Students with Families event with her 1-year-old daughter, Meris. The two spent time watching friends and family compete in rounds of bowling while indulging in their pizza.

Nicole Bowe poses for picture with 1-year-old daughter, Meris Bowe.

Bowe said that it can be hard to take her daughter out much while in college full-time, so she takes full advantage of the Students with Families nights.

According to Bowe, the time spent with her daughter is priceless. She hopes to savor every moment she can while bonding during fun activities.

It appears the difficulty families face with spending time together is not limited to Purdue University Fort Wayne students and their families, either. According to a 2018 study conducted by Visit Anaheim, the average amount of quality time American families spend together each day during the week is about 37 minutes.

The study also found that 60% of American families describe their lives as ‘hectic’ and attribute the lack of quality time to busy work and school schedules.

Beemon and Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs recognize the struggle American families face and created the Students with Families Nights as a response to this dilemma. The faculty believes in the positive impact a night out with loved ones can have and will be continuing to host the events periodically throughout the school year.

The next Students with Families Night will be Nov. 2 for a skate night at the Roller Dome North.

Dates and times for the rest of the Students with Families Nights during the fall can be found in the Purdue University Fort Wayne Fall Programming Guide. For more information, visit https://www.pfw.edu/offices/cwra/programs/students-with-families.html

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Opposing voices working together

By: Brandon Blumenherst

An unlikely duo hosted a voter registration drive last week to give students the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.

Fort Wayne College Democrats and the College Republicans of Fort Wayne teamed up to develop a bipartisan voter registration initiative which would register voters and have them opt-in to a notification service to send them voting reminders. This effort was focused on getting students registered to vote for the upcoming municipal election.

Sydney Bynum, vice president of Fort Wayne College Democrats, said that the purpose of the event was to educate voters and encourage political engagement on campus.

“We wanted to make sure that we give students the opportunity to vote,” Sydney said, “but we also wanted to encourage them to actually exercise that right.”

It was a two-hour event in student housing on Oct. 7, the last day to register to vote for the 2019 election. Around 25 students checked their voter registration status, changed addresses, or registered for the first time. Students had the opportunity to register to vote based on their address in student housing or their home address.

“I figured it would be easier to move my registration address here since I will be here on Election Day,” said one student from Lake County. The students running the event also answered questions about voting and registering to vote.

With a voting site on campus and an early voting site across the street, students at Purdue Fort Wayne have a few different paths to take forward.

However, some unexpected delays stalled the initiative. After initially developing the plan which included canvassing—walking around campus—to increase the amount of potential voter registrations, both groups received notice that activity was not allowed due to the solicitation policy on campus. The administration then suggested ideas on how to create the effect of canvassing rather than working with the initial strategy suggested by the two student organizations.

“We were disappointed by the initial response to our joint effort,” said Rachel Delaney, vice president of the College Republicans of Fort Wayne. “We want to increase political engagement on campus and this was our first effort to work together to do that.”

The administration said that canvassing violated the passive solicitation policy on campus. However, canvassing on political and religious grounds is protected by a Supreme Court decision Watchtower Society v. Village of Stratton. The student organizations cited this decision and instances on campus with off-campus entities, like evangelical and anti-abortion groups, that would be in violation of the same solicitation policy. Despite citing this reasoning, the student organizations still met with the administration to determine their intentions and discuss the implications of this initiative.

After clarifying the intent and mission of both groups, the students realized they would have to compromise on how things could work in the short term and discuss long term change later.

A representative from the Student Life and Leadership office explained that these two student organizations could have tables at university events last week, the week before the voter registration deadline for the local municipal election, in place of a canvassing effort on campus. The administration and student organizations both want to discuss more about increasing student voter participation in the future.

Both groups volunteered at two campus events throughout the week and then worked to develop the voter registration drive in student housing at Purdue Fort Wayne. They want to develop a multi-stakeholder committee on campus that focuses on increasing student voter registration and turnout.

This committee would be modeled after the Purdue Votes Coalition, an initiative created in 2018 by Mitch Daniels, a former Indiana governor and current Purdue University president, to increase political participation amongst college students. However, that committee structure has not made its way to Purdue’s regional campuses.

The decision regarding canvassing on campus is still being debated and it is expected to garner further conversation after an upcoming faculty senate meeting.

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