Saint Mary's offers first class on self defense
By KATIE VINCER
News Writer
The doors are shut. The drapes are pulled closed. The word "NO!" echoes off the walls by the shouts of female voices.
These women are preparing themselves not to be victims, but survivors by participating in a self-defense class.
For the first time in its history, Saint Mary's is offering its women a self-defense class. Faculty, staff and students of Saint Mary's suggested these classes during a forum held last year by Linda Timm, vice president of Student Affairs.
"The forums was my way of trying to solicit student feedback on programming topics they would like to see around the topic of violence against women," said Timm.
These self-defense classes are provided by the organization Rape Aggression Defense (RAD). RAD was founded in 1989 and presently has more than 2,000 instructors throughout the United States and Canada. Sue Tollos and Tracy Hahn, both employees of the Notre Dame security, are RAD certified instructors and teach the self-defense class.
"RAD focuses on abduction, realistic moves and plan of motion. We even provide simulation where a student can go up against an aggressor if she wishes," said Hahn.
Saint Mary's is able to provide these classes to students without a fee due to funding arranged by Karen Ristau, vice president and dean of faculty.
"The funding is from an extra pool of money that I budget for each year for curriculum experimentation, which I use at my own discretion," said Ristau.
The current self-defense class includes 22 students. The second session is already full at the maximum capacity of 30 students.
Freshman Marie Tudo said she wanted to take the self-defense class for peace of mind.
"I travel a lot and I felt it would make me more comfortable when traveling," she said.
The purposes of these classes is to open the eyes of the participating women to what may happen and educate them about safety while preparing their bodies.
"The self-defense classes have been very popular, but hopefully these classes will continue into next year and maybe even credit will be associated. Our goal is that these classes may one day be required by Saint Mary's," said athletic director Lynn Kachmarik.
However, the continuation of this program is not yet certain.
"I would like to see us continue to offer the classes. Much depends on student interest," said Timm.
Funding will not continue towards these classes for next year until Ristau, Timm, Kachmarik and a group of students evaluate the program's results.
"We need to do the evaluation first and then we'll seek money to continue providing funding," said Ristau.
Thus far, the participants seem satisfied with the classes.
"I've learned skills that I didn't know before. I've learned different moves necessary to ward off an attacker. I feel more prepared if I were ever attacked than if I never took the course," said freshman Tifanni Dash.
"I have not only learned some defense maneuvers, but I've also become more aware of situations of date rape and I learned to say `NO!'," said Trudo.
For further information concerning RAD, the contact number is 631-8430.
"We're always looking for women. We'll come to you. We'll even come to dorm room to get students involved," said Hahn.
All News Stories for Friday, February 8, 2002
