Tuesday, March 26, 1996

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Violence Among Students: What's the Picture on Campus?
Call Number LB2345 .S256 1996
The host, Dr. Alice Kersnowski, professor of English at St. Mary's University and member of the President's Peace Commission, introduces Ms. Karen Johnson, Dean of Students at St. Mary's University, and Dr. Jeanne Ortiz, Dean of Students at the University of the Incarnate Word. The speakers discuss various types of campus violence and how they are dealt with. Questions and comments are received from the audience. (70 minutes)

11:10 AM - 12:25 PM: Violence and Gender: Beyond "Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus"
Call Number BF692.2 .S256 1996
The host, Dr. Maureen Ebben, professor in the speech department of the English and Communications Studies program of St. Mary's University, introduces Dr. James Allen, professor of social work at Our Lady of the Lake University, Dr. Anita Vangelisti, professor of communications at the University of Texas at Austin, and Dr. Roseann Mandziuk, professor of speech communications at Southwest Texas State University. The speakers discuss how the genders differ in their views of power within relationships, how these gender differences can create a context for violence in relationships, and what to do when violence has occurred. (72 minutes)

12:35 PM - 1:50 PM: Sanctioned Violence: Does Sport Encourage Violence in Society?
Call Number GV706.7 .S256 1996
Host Dr. Terri Boggess, assistant to the vice president for academic affairs at St. Mary's University, introduces Ms. Karyn Williams, Director of Recreational Sports at St. Mary's University, Mr. Robert Reid, formerly a player for the St. Mary's University Rattlers and the Houston Rockets, and currently playing for the Houston Astros, and Mr. Kevin O'Keefe, sports editor of the San Antonio Express-News. Discussion ensues in which consensus is reached that sports-related violence is a learned behavior. The media's repeated coverage of fights as 'highlights' and the organizational encouragement of steroid use, which leads to heightened aggression, both on and off the field, set the agenda that leads to domestic violence by intramural players and spectators frustrated by their inability to participate at a professional level, as well as by insecure professionals. Questions and comments are also received from the audience. (66 minutes)

6:30 PM: Sexual Violence and the MTV Generation
Call Number P96.V5 S256 1996
The host, Dr. Stephen Calogero, introduces Fr. John Moder, SM, President of St. Mary's University, and Dr. Patricia Owen, professor of psychology at St. Mary's University. Dr. Owen briefly raises points relating to the violence against women depicted in popular videos: Do the videos condone sexual violence? Do changed attitudes toward sexual violence result from steady exposure? Does this then contribute to real life aggression against women? After viewing the video, "Dreamworlds II: Desire, Sex and Power in Music Video" [not included in this video], discussion between the guests and audience ensues. (67 minutes)

Wednesday, March 27, 1996

9:20 AM - 10:10 AM: Violence and the "Other": Hate Speech, Hate Crimes
Call Number HV6250.3.U5 S256 1996
The host, Diane Duesterhoeft, reference librarian at St. Mary's University and member of the President's Peace Commission, introduces Reynaldo Valencia, Professor at St. Mary's University, School of Law, and Graciela Sanchez, Director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center. Different types of hate crime and hate speech, as well as ordinances and legal means of redress are discussed. (55 minutes)

10:20 AM - 11:10 AM: Violence and the Family: Abuse of Spouses and Children
Call Number HQ809.U5 S256 1996
Host Tina Holguin, member of the President's Peace Commission, presents Eugene Brown, Program Services Director of the Battered Women's Shelter, Sister Neomi Hayes, CCVI, founder of Visitation House, and Ron Aaron, Executive director of the Rape Crisis Center. They discuss the rape and battery of women and the community services available to local victims and their families. (48 minutes)

11:20 AM - 12:10 PM: Catholics Versus Interpersonal Violence: What Is the Institution Doing to Help?
Call Number BX1795.W37 S256 1996
The host, Brother Paul Combest introduces Mr. Thomas Keene, theologian/therapist, counsellor for students and parents in the Family Student Support Program of the San Antonio School District, member of the Steering Committee of Anti-Violence Efforts for the Archdiocese of San Antonio, member of the Archdiocesan Commission on Peace and Justice, and member of the San Antonio chapter of Pax Christi, an international justice and peace organization. Mr. Keene discusses how one of the main myths underlying our society relating to violence as a means of obtaining justice, i.e. using violence to end violence, is contradicted by Judaeo-Christian scripture. He discusses historical events in terms of conflicts between power and truth. Recommended readings include "Violence Unveiled" by Gil Brodie and "Engaging the Powers" by Walter Wink. (45 minutes)

12:20 PM - 1:10 PM: Abuse in Campus Groups: The Price of Belonging
Call Number HN90.V56 S256 1996
The host, Judy Geelhoed, member of the President's Peace Commission, introduces Ruth Rodgers, Vice President for Student Development at St. Mary's University, and William Noble an employee of the Kappa Sigma Brotherhood Development Organization and of USAA's public affairs office. The speakers discuss violence within campus groups, particularly fraternities and sororities, and receive questions and comments from the audience. (54 minutes)

6:30 PM: Violence and Youth: The High School and the Community
Call Number HN90.V5 S256 1996
The host, Ms. Diane Duesterhoeft, librarian at St. Mary's University and member of the President's Peace Commission, presents Dr. Linda Foster, principal of Alamo Heights High School, and Ms. Deri Jackson, alumna of St. Mary's University and Senior Peer Counselor at the Downtown Youth Drop In Center. The speakers discuss some of the problems resulting from violence that face high school students in contemporary suburban and urban San Antonio (and, by extension, across the nation), as well as current local efforts to addressthese problems. Questions and comments are received from the audience. (52 minutes)

Thursday, March 28, 1996

9:45 AM - 11:00 AM: Mediation: A Way Out of Confrontation
Call Number KF277.D57 S256 1996
The host, Brother Paul Combest, SM, introduces Martha Treviño, a Mediation Instructor at St. Mary's University, and Professor L. Wayne Scott, Instructor at St. Mary's University, School of Law. They present definitions of mediation, a process of alternate dispute resolution, and discuss when mediation is appropriate and how one can become a qualified mediator. To further illustrate the topic, a mock mediation session is performed. (78 minutes)

11:10 AM - 12:25 PM: Living Non-Violence: Is Gandhi Obsolete?
Call Number BJ1459.5 .S256 1996
The Reverend Robert Mueller, formerly of San Antonio Christian Base Communities, now pastor of Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Director of The House of Neighborly Service, a bilingual community center on San Antonio's Westside, and Father Jeff Malpiede, a Vicentian priest, of Camino a la Paz, relate personal views and experiences and lead a discussion on living non-violently in contemporary society. Suggested readings include works by Thomas Merton, Mohandas Karamchand (aka Mahatma) Gandhi, the Sojourners Community, and Pax Christi USA. (65 minutes)

12:35 PM - 1:50 PM: Exploring Anger: The Key to Relationship Growth
Call Number BF637.I48 S256 1996
The host, Dr. Traci Clayton, Clinical Psychological of the Counseling and Testing Center of St. Mary's University, introduces Brother Fred A. R. Stovall, a Marianist brother, pastoral psychotherapist, and licensed professional counsellor, also of the Counseling and Testing Center of St. Mary's University. Brother Fred presents a template for using anger productivelyto allow progress within relationships. The method for its use, which focuses on communication, is then illustrated, with Peer Counselors Angela Guerra and Karisa Kelso in the roles of listener and complainant, respectively, and Brother Fred as coach. Subsequently, additional assistance is provided by Peer CounselorsYvette Delgado, Gus Guadron, Minatsu Matsuda, and Melissa Warren as the audience also engages in role play. (52 minutes)

The Commission serves to create within the St. Mary's University community an awareness of the Roman Catholic perspective as a foundation for directing the dialogue among the broad and varied human and religious enterprises, themselves directed toward peace. It especially takes direction from the United States Catholic Conference and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

The Peace Commission, founded in 1984, is comprised of students, staff, and faculty, all with equal status. If you would like more information about the President's Peace Commission, please contact any one of its members:

Students: José Fleming, Mónica González, Tina Holguin, Rachel Kellar, Sarabeth Pridgen

Staff: Cecilia Aguilar, Bro. Paul Combest, Debbie Cunningham, Judy Geelhoed

Faculty: Stephen Calogero, Diane M. Duesterhoeft, Kimberly Barnett Gibson, Larry Hufford, Alice Kersnowski, Colleen Nolan, Richard S. Pressman