Sexual assault is a tough reality that affects too many people. Junior interdisciplinary studies major Alexia Petasis call attention to this situation through her dance choreography that showcases the anger, frustration and devastation that results from sexual assault at last week’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month Dance Recital and Talk-Back.

Dancers Sarah Brewer and Miguel Ledesma play victim and perpetrator in this poignant affair. Initially, it is Brewer alone who dances carefree to light, airy music. Ledesma joins her and they seem united and happy in their dance.  Then suddenly, the tempo of the music scarily changes and Ledesma begins to attack and control Brewer’s dance. Brewer fights his control at first, but her mouth is covered, sometimes by him or by herself. Ledesma controls Brewer like a doll, lifting her up and manipulating her movements. In the end, Brewer falls to the ground utterly hopeless while Ledesma stridently walks away.

Ledesma and Brewer’s initial collaborative dancing mirrors the issue that sexual assault is often perpetrated by someone the victim knows. This sad fact and other messages of the dance led to a subsequent discussion that engaged the community on these matters. The speakers were Petasis, representatives from TurnAround, Hope Works, student organization We Believe You, UMBC’s Title IX office and the Women’s Center.

Consent was the reigning topic of the discussion. What makes consent complex is that is ever-changing. Unfortunately, in cases where the victim and perpetrator had been dating formerly or were currently dating, sexual assault cases are not handled as seriously as they should be. In the dance, Brewer’s mouth was often covered, withholding her clearest mode of verbal consent. The speakers thought of many different ways to normalize consent. It could be either formulating fun conversations around consent with friends or just having awkward conversations to clarify lines and boundaries. Samantha Black, one of the TurnAround representatives, even challenged the audience to discuss the definition of consent with three different people.

In the aftermath of sexual assault, it is important to listen to the victim’s story. On the subject, Dakota Monsen-Murray from We Believe You gave a statement that victims are less likely to come forward when they do not think they will be believed. Petasis stated that a call to action begins when we “believe [someone] when [they] say something has happened to them.” UMBC’s Women’s Center works to create that ‘larger sense of community’ that lets victims know they will be heard and believed, according to Amelia Meman one of the Women’s Center representatives. The Domestic Violence Center, TurnAround. works to foster a healthy healing environment for victims as well.

Even so, the simplest thing one can do to inspire waves of change is to change oneself. If we work together to normalize consent, the UMBC community and the world can be a more healthful place.

BCS seeks non-Equity performers to star in a unique, interactive pre-show experience for our upcoming production of SOUL The Stax Musical. The roles are:

DJ: African American. Any gender. Charismatic radio DJ. Knows how to throw a good party. this is an acting role, but the ability to sing and dance is a plus. Experience with sound equipment is also a plus but not required. Must be able to engage and interact with audience members.

This is Bridget.  She predicts that she will win the URCAD selfie contest.

"Oh my gosh, yeah," she noted, when questioned. "They're having a red carpet and all and some party favors like funny glasses and all. Yeah, selfies is something you can't beat this gal at, I'm telling you right now."

Think you can beat Bridget?

Upload your original photos to FaceBook and/or Twitter using  #umbcURCAD for a chance to win one of four gift cards to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories:

• Best overall selfie: Take a photo with a UMBC celebrity (President Hrabowski, Provost Rous, Dean Cole…) or get creative!
• Best with mentor
• Best with family member
• Best with student presentation/poster

The contest starts on the evening of April 24 and will continue until the 27th at 6:00 p.m. To be eligible to win the contest, you must follow the steps outlined below including uploading your original photo to FaceBook, Instagram or Twitter using #umbcURCAD.

22nd Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day…   April 25, 2018

Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) features research, scholarship, and creative work carried out by UMBC undergraduates. Student work is shared through oral presentations, posters, artistic exhibits and performances, and film.

Over 350 presenters participate annually. Researchers work with faculty mentors on independent research, or research that is part of the mentor’s on-going projects.  They are from all disciplines, and can be working on a thesis, capstone project, part of a scholars or honors program, or they can be unaffiliated with other programs.

Students who have received Undergraduate Research Awards (URA) for the previous year will be presenting their findings. The UMBC Review, UMBC’s annual peer-reviewed research journal, which features academic papers written by UMBC undergraduates, makes its debut at this event- stop by and get your copy! Come hear the alumni keynote speaker talk about their experiences after UMBC, and how being an undergraduate researcher benefited them.

UMBC is unique in providing this opportunity for undergraduate students to conduct and present their research in a professional and supportive setting.  Students get valuable feedback from their peers, faculty, and staff, and practice their public speaking and presentations skills.  This campus-wide celebration of achievement affirms UMBC’s commitment to the twin goals of research and a distinctive undergraduate experience.

Don’t forget to visit our red carpet photo booth and participate in our selfie contest!