Irene Stevens, dean of student life, said she never thought she would have ended up working in student affairs on a college campus.

Now, after 15 years of work at Butler University, Stevens is reflecting on her time before she retires at the end of the academic year.

Stevens originally went to Boise State University to teach and coach basketball, softball, and volleyball for junior high and high school students.

“I just fell into student affairs,” Stevens said. “I love it.  It’s a great career.  I had no idea that people did this for a living.  It never occurred to me.”

Stevens taught and coached for two years in a small district in Star, Idaho, her hometown of about 700 people.

She decided she didn’t like the pressure of coaching and went to get her master’s in counseling with the intent of being a high school guidance counselor.

Stevens worked as a hall director while getting her master’s degree in Idaho.

Afterward, she went to Ohio University, and then finished her doctoral degree while working at the University of Florida for 10 years.

When Stevens heard of a job opening at Butler University, she became interested in the small school located so close to downtown Indianapolis.

Coming from Florida, which had 35,000 students, Stevens said she was ready for a smaller environment.

“There’s something special about Butler,” Stevens said. “I’ve been lucky enough to work on four different campuses.  I’ve enjoyed every campus I’ve worked on, but Butler is just a wonderful environment.”

Throughout her time here, Stevens supervised the residence life department,  PuLSE Office, Greek life and spirit programs.

She also acted as the primary hearing officer for conduct-related issues.

“I hate suspending students,” Stevens said.  “I have to do it sometimes.  It’s a difficult decision for me, but sometimes it’s what they need to get themselves back on track.  I do have their best interest in mind.”

Stevens said she will miss her co-workers in student affairs.

“My colleagues are fabulous,” Stevens said.  “They are people who have lots of fun, care about what they do and care about the students.  They’re wonderful people who live life to the fullest.”

Becky Druetzler, director of Greek life, has directly reported to Stevens the entire time she has worked here.

Druetzler said Stevens helped facilitate the environment for fraternities Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Nu and Phi Delta Theta to reorganize and reestablish Butler chapters during her time here.

She did the same for sorority Delta Delta Delta.

“She is extremely student-focused and really an advocate for the students,” Druetzler said. “She’s truly been a friend to students, particularly for those who maybe were underrepresented on campus.”

Stevens has a passion for diversity and community service.

“It’s important to try to help others,” Stevens said. “For those of us who are blessed to be able to help others, I think we have some responsibility to do that.”

She helped to start a sophomore committee that helps sophomores with their developmental needs, as well as well as a first-generation college students committee, which offers support to students who are the first in their family to come to college.

Stevens said this is relevant to Butler, as 9 to 10 percent of students are first-generation students.

Along with these organizations, Stevens also worked closely with the Butler Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender organization.

When she first got to Butler, the association was off campus. She worked with students to get the group a space on campus and to strengthen it.

“I hoped that I could bring to the campus a sense of openness to diversity and a sense of respect to help people see the importance of respecting community,” Stevens said.   “That way I could help people develop into the best person that they could be.”

Sally Click, dean of student services, worked with Stevens for five years and said Stevens’ absence will be felt for a long time.

“It creates a hole,” Click said. “We’ll be able to fill the hole, but she really has a lot of threads to the fabric of this place.”

Click said Stevens was invaluable to her and her transition to working at Butler.

“She’s been my rock,” Click said. “When I have a question or need some perspective about something, she’s there. She listens and gives great advice.”

Stevens said she is looking forward to what the future holds for her.

“It will be hard to leave,” she said. “I’m anxious and excited for this next phase, but it’s going to be difficult.”

Click said student affairs will be looking to fill the position for next year.

Depending on how busy the rest of the semester becomes, Click said the search may start before the semester ends or in the summer.

After Stevens retires, she plans on traveling and living life to the fullest, although she is anxious about leaving the Butler community.

“I’m a big believer in change,” Stevens said.  “I think change is important.  If you get into a rut with your life, you’re not really living life.  It’s important that we all make the most of our life and live every day to not regret what we didn’t do in life.”

Stevens will start her traveling with a motorcycle ride to a different state, which she does every year.

She also wants to travel to Africa and Asia.

“My goal is to visit all seven continents,” Stevens said. “I believe that there is a time for everything, and, for me, you do things while you still want to do them.”

A new sanctioning guideline for conduct violations has the power to prohibit students from participating in some campus activities.

Students who are cited for alcohol-related violations could potentially be prohibited from leadership positions on campus as well as from formal recruitment for sororities and fraternities.

“We didn’t think that the old policy was tough enough,” said Irene Stevens, dean of student life.

The policy was created by the conduct violations task force consisting of Butler University students, faculty and staff.

“If you commit a conduct violation, student affairs prefers that you not be a role model on campus,” Stevens said. “While rushing a sorority or fraternity is not a role-model position, it is a privilege.”

However, the new guidelines are not as extreme as rumors may suggest.

Stevens said that student affairs will look at every case individually. Prior offenses, the offense itself and other pertinent aspects will all be taken into consideration.

Stevens said that, in most cases, students will not be placed on probation for their first offenses.

“Educational sanctions will be the first course of action,” Stevens said. “This could mean taking a class or an all-day workshop.”

If the student needs to be arrested or is sent to the hospital, however, then student affairs may place the student on probation, Stevens said.

According to student affairs, the students on the conduct task force were the ones leading the charge to add formal recruitment to the list of possible sanctions.

“The students thought that adding formal recruitment to the list would give it more teeth,” Stevens said.

Junior Jordan Ludwig, women’s recruitment counselor and sorority member, agreed with the policy.

“Honestly, I think it’s a good thing,” she said. “But I do think this will affect guys more than girls.”

Freshman thought that they were not properly informed on the change in conduct violations.

“I think it’s stupid,” freshman Kelli Linsenmayer said. “I don’t like that they just started it and didn’t really warn us about it.

“We only heard about it in Red Cup Culture. I don’t think the policy will keep people from partying.”

Freshman Lindsay Byers said she understands the motive but doesn’t feel she was briefed well on the new guidelines.

“It makes sense for what they’re trying to do, but it’s not fair that they weren’t upfront about it,” Byers said. “It’s still pretty unclear to me.”

Students will receive a second chance to participate in rush the following year if they have no new violations, Stevens said.

Ben Hunter, chief of staff and executive director of public safety, explained the reasoning behind this policy from a public safety standpoint.

“We still see high blood alcohol levels on this campus, which is concerning,” Hunter said. “I think it’s good that we’re finding new ways to send a message.

“When it comes down to it, the law is the law,” Hunter said. “You must be 21 to drink. There are consequences to breaking this law, whether it’s a fine, jail time or being placed on probation from participating in campus groups.”

Stevens said that the motive behind the new policy is the safety and well-being of students.

“We just want to encourage students to find other things to do than drink,” Stevens said. “You don’t have to drink to have fun at Butler. Use good judgment in how you choose to have fun.”

Published Aug. 29, 2012

With Indiana officials looking to crack down on underage and high-risk alcohol consumption on college campuses, the atmosphere of Butler University is changing.

An alcohol task force, comprised of Butler students and faculty from numerous departments, was created during the 2011-12 academic year.

Curbing Illegal Drinking on Butler’s Campus
For the start of this academic year, the group has come up with multiple recommendations to help school administrators and the Butler University Police Department curb problem and illegal drinking.

“I think (the task force) is the best type of approach because you’re getting multiple perspectives,” said Levester Johnson, vice president for student affairs. “But it’s most important to involve students because they can take direct ownership of this as well.”

Irene Stevens, dean of student life and co-chair of the task force, said the recommendations made by the task force cover three areas of concern: alcohol education, enforcement of alcohol laws and sanctioning of those who break alcohol laws.

Changes in Policy
However, it is uncertain whether these recommendations are being treated as changes to Butler’s alcohol policy.

Johnson said that changes were being made to the policy while Stevens said the policy itself will be reviewed during this semester and has not yet been changed.

Sarah Barnes Diaz, health education and outreach programs coordinator and co-chair of the task force, said that the confusion lies with the semantics of the phrase “changes to the policy.”

“The recommendations are what we’re now enacting,” Diaz said. “So within that, there are some shifts in policy and some changes in the student handbook.”

Sending the Right Message
Sally Click, dean of student services, said in an email to The Collegian that a major point in the task force’s discussion was the message the university was sending about alcohol.

To that effect, posters are displayed around campus to make clear to all students that the drinking age in Indiana is 21.

Additionally, Stevens said an online module was created to educate new students about alcohol, drugs and sexual assault and that all new students were asked to complete the module prior to the start of classes.

Diaz said the school’s Red Cup Culture program also needed revisions.

“In the past, the focus of Red Cup Culture was very much on the consumption of alcohol being a personal choice,” Diaz said. “It almost sends the wrong message and gives permission, so we sliced some of that out of the video.”

Diaz said members of the task force felt that education on high-risk drinking and alcohol poisoning was necessary as well.

In addition, new students were prohibited from entering Greek houses before Aug. 27 so they would participate in planned Welcome Week activities, Click said.

A member of the Greek community, who wished to remain anonymous because of fraternity policy to limit the members that can speak to the media, said this policy was helpful.

“We can really get to know kids versus putting them in a social scene they’re not familiar with,” the individual said.

Changing How BU Enforces Rules
The task force also made recommendations with regard to enforcement of alcohol laws and changes to sanctioning, but a higher power has also had a hand in making sure laws are being followed.

The Indiana State Excise Police is a unit of the Alcohol Tobacco Commission that sends undercover police officers to Indiana colleges.

When at colleges, the officers can attend parties and other gatherings where underage drinking may be occurring and ask students for a form of identification.

Stevens said she expects the excise police force to be on campus more this academic year than in recent years. This is partly due to the creation of the Intensified College Enforcement program, which is using Indiana’s excise police to try to cut down on underage drinking.

Former governor Mitch Daniels also passed the Indiana Lifeline Law earlier this year.

According to the Indiana Lifeline Coalition’s website, the law provides immunity from some alcohol violations to those who request medical assistance or have it requested for them.

The task force has suggested that BUPD be more consistent in alcohol policy enforcement, in addition to utilizing a summons arrest in appropriate situations.

A summons arrest is a ticket for public intoxication that requires the offender to appear in court, Stevens said.

This differs from an outright arrest, which sees an offender be put in handcuffs by a police offer, and a the more rare warrant arrest, which allows police to arrest a person of interest with regard to a crime.

Ben Hunter, chief of staff and executive director of public safety, said recent alcohol incidents on Indiana campuses are causing BUPD to be stricter in handing on summons arrests.

Hunter said two under-21 students encountered by BUPD last week had ‘extremely high’ blood alcohol content levels and were example cases for a summons arrest. One student was unresponsive and the other suffered injuries from a fall.

“My preference is when we can do a referral because I don’t want to ruin resumes,” Hunter said. “But at the same time, if we find someone with alcohol poisoning or, worst-case scenario, dead, there’s going to be all kinds of scrutiny.”

The alcohol policy section of Butler’s student handbook includes state penalties for specific alcohol-related crimes, which can range from fines up to $1,000 to jail time.

Separate from fines and arrests are sanctions imposed by the university, which have also been altered.

Click said fines for breaking alcohol laws have been rejected in favor of a community restoration project, which involves individuals giving back to the Butler community in some way.

An individual who has a major alcohol violation or accumulates multiple minor ones can also be put on conduct probation, which keeps the individual from participating in Greek recruitment and from holding a number of leadership positions on campus.

Click also said that 75 to 80 percent of student conduct cases over the last several years have involved alcohol or drugs. Some sanctions in those cases included alcohol or drug assessment and attendance at an in-house alcohol seminar.

“I think it’s a really good practice to take stock of where we’re at, and that’s what the task force did,” Diaz said.

Students React to Coming Changes
A level of anxiety seems to be felt by students toward the changes, the Greek member said.

“(The changes) add a layer of fear and pressure,” the individual said. “We’re under pressure to do everything right, but ultimately it’s for our safety.”

While the success of the task force’s recommendations cannot be fully examined until more time has passed, Diaz said she believes the university is handling alcohol issues in the correct manner.

“I’m confident that this is the way to go,” Diaz said. “I think that over time, we can shift the culture away from high-risk drinking.”

Sexual misconduct incidents now must be investigated with or without the involvement of a victim, per new policy changes at a national and university level.
The 2012-13 edition of the Butler University student handbook contains updates due to new obligations from the U.S. Department of Education released in April.
The harassment and sexual misconduct parts of the “Rights and Responsibilities” section now have clearer definitions of what those acts involve, as well as how the university should handle them.
Sally Click, dean of student services, worked with the student affairs department over the summer to train and learn how to update these sections under the new regulations.
“We’ve got to think about this differently,” Click said.
Click said the major change came with how the university will handle violations dealing with gender and sex.
These regulations spur from the “Dear Colleague” letter released from the Office of Civil Rights of the Department of Education.
The department issued the letter to remind schools of their responsibilities after finding that universities all over the country are not able to address issues of sexual assault and uphold the provisions of Title IX, a law passed in 1972 to remedy gender discrimination.
The letter indicated universities need to treat sexual assault more like a civil rights violation, not a code of conduct issue, Click said.
The result is that instead of a student conduct hearing, there will first be a preliminary investigation and then, potentially, an administrative review.
“The ‘Dear Colleague’ letter made it clear that we can not go on with business as usual,” Vice President for Student Affairs Levester Johnson said. “We can’t just rely on the Butler Way.”
Click said in the past, the investigation of sexual misconduct was “victim-centered.” Student affairs let the victim decide how far and how fast to investigate.
Now, if the office becomes aware of an issue, a minimal investigation is required with or without the victim’s involvement.
If it is determined that a code of conduct was violated, the investigation will move to an administrative review, where either Click or Irene Stevens, dean of student life, will question the accused person, any witnesses and the victim.
In the past, the accused person was allowed to question the victim. The new requirements do not allow that to happen.
Click and Stevens will act as “fact finders” and make the ultimate decision if it was “more likely than not” the offense happened.
If the facts are inconclusive, the case will be dismissed, Click said.
If it is determined that a sexual misconduct guideline has been violated, the alleged offender has the right to appeal. But if found guilty, sanctions including suspension and dismissal from the university can be imposed. Alleged offenders may also be prosecuted under local or federal law.
Along with an administrative review, allegations of sexual misconduct are reportable under the Clery Act, a law that requires universities to keep records of crime statistics.
All reported incidents of sexual assault will be investigated in coordination with the Office of Student Affairs, said Ben Hunter, chief of staff and executive director of public safety.
Click said she thinks if more people know an investigation might take off in a way a student is not comfortable with, the new process may work against the desire to address sexual misconduct situations.
“We’re really trying to balance what we need to do to be compliant, what we need to do to support our students and how we help everybody involved in a situation,” Click said.
Students can keep themselves and their friends safe by reading the updated handbook and knowing their rights before a situation happens, Johnson said.
“We all need to step up our game as far as knowing what those rules, policies and compliance issues are,” Johnson said. “If you see something, you need to tell someone.”

Students are not the only ones working behind the scenes for Butler’s Student Government Association.

The PuLSE Office has four individuals who advise SGA and its various boards.

Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens said the role of an SGA adviser is to help executive members do the job to the best of their ability and help them avoid pitfalls they may encounter.

“I don’t necessarily always have the answers,” said Caroline Huck-Watson, director of the PuLSE Office. “But I can also help direct someone to figure out where those are.”

Huck-Watson advises the Council on Presidential Affairs, Finance Board, the SGA president and SGA’s Executive Board. As PuLSE director, she also helps other staff advisers when issues arise.

SGA President Al Carroll said the advisers are there to say when students are or are not on the right track.

“We don’t always agree with them,” Carroll said. “But that’s the way it is.”

She said that while there are no specific guidelines for her to follow as adviser, there are expectations in terms of the role she plays. She said the entire PuLSE staff follows university law and procedures.

She said that doing so allows the advisers to help students navigate university systems.

Other PuLSE advisers include Julie Pakenham, associate director; Rob Miller, assistant director; and Jen Agnew, assistant director.

The PuLSE staff reports to Stevens.

“I also work with the exec on some issues occasionally,” Stevens said. “It’s not unusual for me to have a meeting with the president of SGA, in particular the CPA president and vice president, about various issues.”

Stevens also said that her role allows her to attend various SGA assemblies.

“It gives me a sense of what’s going on with students and what the issues are that they’re dealing with,” Stevens said. “I do enjoy going in and hearing what they’re talking about.”

Stevens said the advisers are able to provide students with a historical perspective of SGA and the university.

“I rely on Caroline quite a bit,” SGA President-elect Mike Keller said. “Al has been great with the transition, but Caroline is who I look to for knowledge of the past.”

Huck-Watson said she sees challenging students as one of her roles.

“I would hope my role is that when students are making decisions, I’m helping them see a variety of different perspectives so that they can make the most informed decision that they can at that time,” Huck-Watson said.

She said she is ever-evolving as an adviser.

“It’s such a moment of pride to see a student be a successful leader, to make change on campus, to really feel empowered, to lead a group and to make decisions that have an impact on our community,” Huck-Watson said. “That happens every year. It’s so wonderful.”

Keller said he’s already had a great experience working with the advisers leading up to his transition into office.

The advisers sat in on his vice president interviews.

“It is my decision,” Keller said. “None of them tried to influence it, but they were able to provide a lot of helpful pros and cons for each candidate.”

Carroll said he has great respect and gratitude for all of the SGA advisers.

“They make my life easier,” Carroll said. “I’m thankful for that.”

Huck-Watson said she is blessed to have the opportunity to work with Butler students in such a profound way.

“I look around sometimes at events and things that are going on that our students are accomplishing,” Huck-Watson said. “It just takes my breath away sometimes.”

Published April 18, 2012

The recent attacks on the Student Government Association have taken a turn for the worse.

The criticisms no longer are directed at the students who represent us. Now advisers are being targeted for unwarranted reasons.

The latest assault on SGA leaders and advisers was centered on the Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens for her announcement at assembly on April 4 pertaining to The Collegian’s push for recent election data.

This push has already met defeat in the student assembly. However, the agenda for obtaining the data continues and shows no signs of slowing down.

It does seem to be derailing as it has moved into a disheartening direction.

Targeting the advisers because of the frustrations felt after the failed motion to release the election data causes concern and is  misguided.

The students elected and appointed in SGA must continue seeking advice and have their advisers involved in assembly.

A successful organization thrives on incorporating the voices of many—not an enclosed few.

My three years of involvement in SGA have given me plenty of insight into the functions and actions advisers have performed.

During this time, I know the advisers have never undermined the trust of students.

Not once in the Council on Presidential Affairs meetings, executive committee meetings or student assemblies did an advisor take initiative on a project or make a decision.

The same can be said during the meetings I had with former SGA President Chris Ring, former university President Bobby Fong, former Provost Jamie Comstock and Vice President for Student Affairs Levester Johnson.

Decisions are either made by the student-elected representatives or voted on by the student assembly.

The role of the advisers is to sit in on the meetings, which are chaired and run by the student leader, and help answer any questions that may arise throughout the discussion.

The last thing I wanted when I chaired CPA was to pursue an issue that could take weeks to find an answer, only to come to a dead end.

This would have happened on a number of occasions if my advisers did not give me advice that let me  pursue the situation correctly.

I believe the action of incorporating staff or faculty advisers deserves more use, since student-run organizations would benefit from their guidance.

A student coming into the role of vice president or president has an insignificant amount of experience compared to the combined years of the involved staff advisors.

I would be dumbfounded if I learned one of the SGA officials representing me blatantly ignored advice from Stevens or adviser Caroline Huck-Watson.

Students involved in SGA must pursue advice and guidance when dealing with a $700,000 budget, and the inner workings of Butler University.

I would imagine students, and The Collegian, would be more upset that a budget was presented and went through a process in which the executive committee did not listen to any advisors.

I would also be greatly embarrassed if students elected a president who went rogue  and pursued an agenda in front of the Board of Trustees that would bring disgrace to the student body after dismissing advice from an advisor and the administrators on campus.

I urge President-elect Mike Keller and the student leaders he surrounds himself with to continue including Watson, Stevens, Johnson and any other staffers, administrators or faculty when making decisions that impact the Butler community.

Keller should also continue having them involved in student assembly.

Though outsiders might find themselves frustrated with actions performed by SGA, I caution them before they jump to conclusions.

When student leaders apply, campaign for and put hours into their roles, they should also be able to defend themselves on their own.

It’s time to take the training wheels off of Student Government Association.

While I believe that faculty advisers for Student Government Association have good intentions, some of the actions in assembly leave me thinking they are overinvolved.

Last Wednesday, Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens’ announcement at the student assembly is a prime example.

In reference to The Collegian’s recent push for data from SGA’s recent elections, Stevens inferred that the push for this information has caused a sort of chaos on campus.

“There’s a tone that (SGA adviser) Caroline Huck-Watson or (SGA President) Al Carroll would do anything dishonest,” Stevens said. “I wish the tone was more civil.”

Executive board members were appointed to these positions by fellow students.

When a staff member—meant to serve the entire university, not just SGA—makes an announcement like this, it undermines the trust fellow students put in their leaders to make informed, grown-up decisions.

SGA assembly is a place for students to take the initiative, so staff advice simply isn’t warranted.

Administrators should take a hint from President Jim Danko, who has emphasized his belief that faculty should have supreme reign over Faculty Senate.

I would like to see advisers take a back-seat role in SGA.

If the Collegian can independently put out a newspaper each week, SGA leaders should be able to do their jobs all by themselves, too.

Before those of you who are under 21 grab hold of that red cup this weekend—or any time, really—consider this: Under Indiana law you could serve 60 days in jail and pay up to $500 in fines.

That is the maximum sentence for possession of alcohol by a minor in Indiana.

Whether it’s alcohol, marijuana or even a traffic violation on campus, how a perpetrator is treated depends on the discretion of the Butler University Police Department and student affairs. It also depends on the attitude of the perp.

Butler, via student affairs and BUPD, sets a shining example of a better kind of crime response.

By choosing education, alternative programming and community hearings instead of expulsions or jail time, they chart a course to a more compassionate and healthier system overall.

“Our role is making runs, education [and] good community-based solutions. We want to work with students and neighbors,” BUPD Police Chief Ben Hunter said. “My staff is told to be respectful.”

Last week, The Collegian reported in “Crime rates increased in Butler area in 2010” (Oct. 5) that higher rates were reported in eight of 17 types of crime last year.

However, it also was reported that Butler’s crime rate is relatively lower than other colleges in the state.

Both Dean of Student Life Irene Stevens and Dean of Student Services Sally Click said that Butler’s approach to crime resolution helps cause this lower rate and promotes a decline in crime overall.

I wholeheartedly agree.

While traditional American wisdom holds that offenders should be punished for their crimes, the simple truth is that prison sentences just don’t seem to be working and people reoffend often.

When the incarceration rate in this country is so high it’s refreshing to hear about justice programs that avoid labeling even more people as criminals.

As recently as 2009, prison populations accounted for 1 percent of
the adult population. One in every 100 adults was behind bars.

Since then, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that rates have fallen.

However, in a nation this large and especially one so strapped for cash, it’s clear the U.S. needs different solutions.

This is where Butler University comes into the picture.

No one on staff is trying to set national prison policy. BUPD isn’t making some idealistic statement about how the correctional system works or how it might be improved.

The university is setting a good example.

“Deterrence is generally ineffective; informal control is much stronger,” Katherine Novak, head of the sociology department, said.

That could include student hearings, and counseling programs, Novak said.

BUPD prioritizes community involvement in their work and defers a lot of “punishment” and response to student affairs instead of taking students and others downtown—literally.

Naysayers to this policy might say that this approach is soft on crime and that if the police give criminals room, they’ll just take more.

“Police crackdowns are not as effective as community policing,” Novak said.

In other words, being “tough on crime” doesn’t make life any easier for the community.

BUPD doesn’t substitute community involvement for enforcing the law of the land, either.

“The law is the law,” Hunter said.

Policy makers abroad, Indianapolis police and even students should be aware of these initiatives.

Butler’s strategies work, and as Bulldogs move on into the larger world they should carry this message of reform and rehabilitation with them.

If nothing else, punishing every single lawbreaker is expensive.

That’s not to say that there should be no penalty for crime.

At the same time, how many Americans can seriously say that underage drinkers, for example, should serve 60 days in jail?

No reasonable adult, that’s for sure.

If Bulldogs and citizens in general examined the justice system from this standpoint, perhaps we could save a bit of money on justice.

Most importantly, we might end up with a system that only focuses on crimes that actually harm the community.