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This month, Syracuse University’s Division of Student Affairs is beginning its effort to support the 18th annual Vera House White Ribbon Campaign, earlier than the official campaign kickoff date of March 23. The goals of the campaign on campus are to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence; to educate the SU community about domestic and sexual violence and resources; and to raise funds for programs at Vera House. The campaign will run until April 1.

Volunteering to lead SU’s charge to support the 2012 campaign are co-chairs Melvin Stith, dean of the Whitman School of Management, and Colleen Bench, director of the Parents Office. Stith and Bench are recruiting partnerships across campus to broaden the reach and impact of this year’s campaign, as well as to communicate the critical role Vera House serves both on campus and in the community.

“It is a special privilege to co-chair with Mrs. Bench, and I know the SU community will join with us and help us exceed our goals,” says Stith.

According to Vera House, females between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of domestic violence. In 2010, Vera House sheltered 474 women, children and men; provided youth counseling services to 380 children; taught 446 men in the domestic violence education and accountability program; and reached 16,047 people through their school-based, community and professional education programs. Vera House continues to be the primary resource in Onondaga County for people experiencing domestic and sexual violence.

Wearing a white ribbon or wristband during this campaign period makes an important statement that you will not condone, support or commit domestic or sexual violence.

White ribbons and wristbands that say, “No Excuse for Abuse,” are available at the following locations on campus for $1 each. All monies raised will support Vera House education, and awareness programs and services. Ribbons and wristbands can also be ordered for a department through the Student Affairs Dean’s Office at 443-4263.

• Erin Schaal, FIXit, Carriage House, Farm Acre Rd.
• Linda Flynn, FIXit, Carriage House, Farm Acre Rd.
• Susan Germain, Office of Special Events, 138 Women’s Building
• Patricia Stith, Academic Affairs, 323 Crouse Hinds Hall
• Peg Fitzpatrick, Budget & Planning, Skytop Office Building
• Ginny Yerdon, Hendricks Chapel, Hendricks Chapel
• Shirley Thornton, Auxiliary Services, 206 Steele Hall
  Drew Buske, DPS, 005 Sims Hall
• Bob Britton, Physical Plant, 037 Schine Student Center
• Cyndi Stetson, Physical Plant, 285 Ainsley Drive
• Teresa Gilman, University Senate, 103 Steele Hall
• Tina O’Mara, ITS, 1-133 Science Tech
• Janine Bernard, School of Education, 259 Huntington Hall
• Gretchen Goldstein, Chancellor’s Office, 600 Crouse Hinds Hall
• Mary Lerner, Arts & Sciences, 308 Hall of Languages
• Sue Nemier, iSchool, 343 Hinds Hall
• Bev Everding, Community Engagement, The Warehouse
• Stephanie Vasta, Engineering & Computer Science, 223 Link Hall
• Michelle Pirro, The Falk School, 119 Euclid Ave.
• Eileen Jevis, University College, 700 University Ave.
• Diana Hahn, Enrollment Management, 222 Bowne Hall
• Don Kilts, Newhouse, 164 Newhouse 2
• Diane McKinney, SU Abroad, 106 Walnut Ave.

Vera House’s White Ribbon Campaign is led by concerned men who encourage and invite all members of the community—men and women, young and old—to pin on a ribbon and join them in raising awareness and funds to end domestic and sexual violence. This male leadership helps to acknowledge the important contributions men have made to this effort and invites others to take a role.

Vera House, Inc., aims to end all domestic and sexual violence, to assist families in crisis, to support those affected by domestic and sexual violence to live safe, self-sufficient lives, to empower women and children, and to promote a culture of equality and respect in all relationships.