Prof takes on bullying
Wendy Craig, co-director of PREVNet (Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network) and Queen’s professor, teamed up with Facebook and other agencies to launch the “Be Bold: Stop Bullying Campaign” during Bullying Awareness Week Nov. 17 to 23.
As a leading expert on bullying and its consequences, Craig consulted with governments and organizations across the country. Her research has showed that children who are victimized are at greater risk of depression, drug abuse and eating disorders whereas bullies are more likely to be involved in criminal activity later on in life.
The campaign involves other agencies such as the Family Channel, Kids Help Phone, MediaSmarts, Free the Children and STOP cyberbullying. According to a press release on Canadian Newswire, the campaign centred around an interactive social media pledge app that enabled teens, parents, and educators to make a personal commitment to help stop bullying and recruit friends to join them in the movement.
Those who take the pledge to specific actions that will help stop bullying can share their pledges and stories with friends and family.
— Styna Tao
Less blue light pranks
Queen’s has seen a decrease in malicious blue light infractions on campus this year.
Around 330 emergency blue lights were activated last year without cause. Since September, only 80 have been activated.
Doug Johnson, AMS president, attributes the decrease to more awareness about the emergency service in residence for first-years.
In 2010-11, around 175 blue lights were activated, compared to 194 in 2009-10.
Johnson said he hopes there will be less than 200 malicious infractions this year.
In September 2012, the AMS launched an educational campaign to raise awareness of the effects of “prank” Blue Light pushes around campus.
As part of the campaign, posters have been distributed around campus in high-density student areas such as lecture halls and libraries, as well as Facebook and Twitter posts.
“This is an essential safety service,” he said.
—Vincent Matak
Premier visits campus
Alberta Premier Alison Redford stopped by Queen’s on Monday to talk about civic engagement.
Redford, who attended Queen’s from 1983-85, spoke to a crowd of around 100 people in Wallace Hall as part of the inaugural Principal’s Campus Forum.
Recalling her time spent in Victoria Hall as a first year, as well as Alfie’s and the Queen’s Pub, the 14th Premier of Alberta later addressed more serious topics relating to energy and economic growth.
“Although energy production is a key factor to the Canadian economy, we know that it has consequences,” she said. “In Alberta, we accept that these changes are occurring and that global warming is a reality … we know that we have to do something about it because we want the same thing for all Canadians.”
Part of ensuring long-term solutions to these issues is maintaining an open dialogue with voters she added.
“Political dialogue is people deciding that there are politicians and leaders that they can have confidence and trust in to reflect the value of the community and respect conversation.”
—Vincent Matak
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