KELOLAND
College students are returning to classes across KELOLAND, which means a lot of good things as they make the most of their college experience. But some experiences on campus can leave lasting scars.Students don't return to campus until next week at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
"Our primary goal is education. So it doesn't stop with just what you're learning in class, it's really trying to give education and life lessons as well. And some of that is not good things," Rick Tupper, director of Augustana University's Department of Campus Security, said.
Rick Tupper was part of a roundtable today at the Compass Center in Sioux Falls that talked about preventing domestic violence and sexual assault. He says officials at Augie keep a close eye on the numbers.
"When your numbers do go up, it doesn't mean that they haven't already been happening, it's just that more people are reporting them," Tupper said.
Anyone who notices a problem can be part of the solution.
"One of our educational goals is to tell people when you see something that makes you uncomfortable, what you can do to be that person to step up and not just watch it. Know that you have a role to play. And it can be a small role. But you don't know what you're stopping," Tupper said.
South Dakota Representative Kristi Noem also took part in the discussion.
"They talked about educating bystanders, which I think is key," Noem said. "That all of us have a responsibility to be a good neighbor, be a good friend, to watch out for those around us."
Tupper wants parents and students to know there is help out there.
"I think they have to know that they're not alone," Tupper said. "There's a lot of resources, whether it is something that has happened to you or you see something happening to someone else."
What's more, every campus has to have such resources.
"Every university in our country has a mandate that they have people in place, and resources in place," Tupper said.