By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR
CHADRON — A Chadron State College committee responsible for organizing activities during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) has announced the Lindeken Clock Tower Lighting on April 2 at 7:30 p.m. Morgan Cullan, Title IX Coordinator, invites students and employees to the ceremony.
Cullan said the clock tower will be illuminated in teal and green throughout April and May. Teal is the signature color of the national SAAM in April, and green is the signature color of MHAM in May.
“The clock tower, a mainstay of our campus, will now be illuminated in different colors in support of various awareness months, bringing a vibrant and meaningful display to CSC throughout the year,” Cullan said. “Education on these issues goes beyond the classroom, and this is one way we can reach the campus community members, as well as the community of Chadron.”
She said people passing by the clock tower will be able to scan a QR code posted there to learn more about SAAM and MHAM.
According to the SAAM website, in the early 2000s, the primary goal of SAAM was raising the visibility of the teal ribbon and the meaning behind it. By the mid-2000s, SAAM focused on prevention.
The online history of MHAM indicates that supporters wear green ribbons as a visible way to combat bias and discrimination against those dealing with mental health issues.
Cullan hopes the clock tower lighting and other events will help students become aware of campus resources such as counseling, the Title IX Office, Security, the CARE Team, the Eagle Mentor Program, and Academic Services, including tutoring.
“We hope faculty and staff will also have conversations with students about these topics year-round. Students can also join campus organizations to raise awareness such as the Students Against Sexual Harassment (SASH) Club and the Social Work and Psychology (SWAP) Club,” Cullan said.
Cullan acknowledged Student Affairs Graduate Assistant Cooper Reichman for proposing the idea.
Reichman said he thought lighting the clock tower to recognize both awareness months was a good option since it is in the middle of campus compared to C-Hill, which is farther away and has been lit by solar lights for MHAM in the past.
“It is often a prime subject for photos on campus and social media posts. So, I figured the lighting would be a great addition,” Reichman said.
He expects that students will notice the different colors and reflect, even if just in passing, on what they represent.
“I hope that the clock tower lights will reinforce the values and recognition that CSC is striving to bring to these initiatives while also being a beacon to the area,” Reichman said.
Licensed Student Counselor Chelsea Turner, other committee members, and Cullan collaborated with several student organizations to plan the following events.
- April 1, Shining the Light on C-Hill, south side of Beebe stadium, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
- April 1-24, Clothesline Project Exhibit, Student Center Pit
- April 7, City Proclamation, City Hall, 6-7 p.m.
- April 9, TEAL Talk Town Hall with Title IX, Sandoz Center, 1-2:30 p.m.
- April 24, Walk-A-Mile in Her Shoes, East Entrance of Memorial Hall, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- April 24, Open Mic Night, Sandoz Center 6-8 p.m.
- April 30, Wear Denim Day
- April 28, Wear Teal Day
- April 29, Mental Health First Aid Training, Scottsbluff Room, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
- April 29, Reflection Table, Student Center 11 a.m. –1 p.m.
- April 30, Hope Week, Denim Day booth, Coffee with the Counselors, Student Center, 11 a.m. –1 p.m.
- April 1, Wear Green Day
- May 1, Goals and Gratitude Workshop, Scottsbluff Room, 1–2:30 p.m.