Student Reflection on underSTAND Program

Joseph Crafton

UnderSTAND Together was a capstone project for a group of WKU Seniors that focused on raising awareness of bullying around campus. The group focused on Gatton Academy and the integration of Academy students into WKU’s residential society and many of the issues that Academy students face while out and about on campus. Bullying is nothing to take lightly, nor is feeling uncomfortable or distraught due to a situation that you might be in. Many enlightening and surprising revelations were brought to the attention of those running the project, Gatton students and WKU students. First of all, most of the bullying that Academy students faced was in a classroom setting. Secondly, most university students act with stereotypes in mind without actually knowing what the Academy is and what the students are like. Third, many other organizations on campus are exposed to adversarial situations around campus—these things do not only happen to Academy students. In the culmination of their research, a panel was held. Open to university students and faculty, the panel focused on spreading their excavations and heightening awareness of bullying around campus. A sorority leader, a member of the lady golf team, and a member of University SGA were present to discuss common misconceptions about their organizations and how they and the Academy could partner together in order to stop bullying.

Personally, the experience was great. I know what it like to be bullied, and I know what it takes to handle intense adversity in a classroom setting. Being able to talk about experiences, how I handled certain situations, and how awareness and partnership can grow was an amazing experience. I have always been involved as an Academy student, and I plan to continue being involved with the opportunity that I was so greatly afforded. I have and always will embrace the fact that I attend Gatton Academy, and I hope that the fact that Academy students are just that—Academy students—will be readily and fully accepted by other university students. underSTAND together is the first step in that fulfilling that dream.