Registered Student Organizations (RSO) are critical segments of PEACE OUTside CAMPUS, The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation. The elements of success for each Chapter reside with the membership and the participation of the administration and community. The Chapters aim to promote safety awareness with a particular focus on off campus housing. Various programs are offered by the Chapter to increase safety in all aspects of off campus life and become a trusted resource for information regarding victim’s programs, University sponsored programs and local and state programs for personal safety. It is through these programs that the RSO develops relationships with other student organizations and coordinates the activities that will support those goals.
Registered Chapters
University of Delaware, Newark, DE
The University of Delaware Chapter of PEACE OUTside Campus was the first Registered Student Organization associated with The Foundation. On May 4, 2006 the chapter hosted a Personal Safety Forum at Trabant University Center, University of Delaware, Newark, DE. Speaking to approximately 150 people in the Trabant University Center, guest speaker and PEACE OUTside Campus Board member, Kristen Bonistall shared personal experiences, as well as numerous tips to prevent crime in an effort to promote off-campus safety. On May 5, 2006 the Chapter operated a Kiosk in the Trabant Center to promote awareness of safety & security measures available to students. A survey was given to record university students’ feeling of security on & off campus. The Chapter also encouraged participation in the Memorial for Lindsey M. Bonistall held on the green on May 6th, 2006. In October 2006 the Chapter participated in the Second Annual Lindsey Run held in Elmsford, NY sponsored by PEACE OUTside Campus, The Lindsey M. Bonistall Foundation. The event raises community awareness and promotes safe and peaceful living environments for off-campus students. The UD Chapter also just completed a concert on May 3rd, 2007 on the north green of The University of Delaware to raise awareness of safety & security measures available to students and the community.
2009 University of Delaware Chapter Update
Chapter President Dan Ahearn
- “Our year started out with activities night for incoming freshmen. We answered a lot of questions and provided information for these students. After this we were invited to a Delaware Victims Vigil in Dover, Delaware. We set up a table with other groups of the same interest and shared our story and what we stand for. It was a very moving event that we were proud to be a part of."
We moved our “Peace on the Green” event to the Trabant Patio (Our student Center). We renamed it Awareness Day. This event was very successful in getting our name out and helping fellow students. We also had a handful of other student organizations at the event to help our cause. We had five mainline local bands come and play for us and drew a big crowd. After the event we were contacted by SAPE (Sexual Assault Prevention & Education) and the Wellspring Center to be a part of their Sexual Awareness Month this April 2009. There have been meetings for this bimonthly and it is widely publicized with a daily event to raise awareness. The date for our event is sometime in late April 2009”.
05.05.2009
The UD chapter of PEACE OUTside Campus presented the 3rd Annual Awareness Day. Chapter President Danny Ahearn and officers Ali and Laken Masterson were joined by Kathleen Bonistall, other members of the chapter and Detective Andrew Rubin (lead investigator in the case) for a day of music while informing the students of UD about safety precautions and our cause. Music was provided by Adam Randolph and Alton Haynes. The Chapter has been active since 2006 when it was started by Jon Little and Christine Bush, friends and classmates of Lindsey Bonistall.
UD Chapter members and Kathleen Bonistall at Awareness Day 2009.
Kathy Masterson joined her daughters Ali and Laken, graduating seniors.
Detective Andrew Rubin with some of the UD chapter members.
Alton Haynes and Adam Randolph providing the event with great music.
Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT
The Fairfield University Chapter of PEACE OUTside Campus became a chapter in late October of 2006. Our chapter is devoted to promoting awareness and safety on and off of our campus. We have meetings that meet bimonthly, in which we discuss any strategies or ideas to get POC to be a household name among the students. We have met with various departments on campus that we have begun to have a partnership with. Some of these include public safety, ResLife, the health center and hopefully soon the police and landlords regarding houses on the beach. We hope through these partnerships we will be able to reach more of the student body. We have been working vigorously in getting the word out to the students. We have been organizing programs for students throughout the dorms on how to protect themselves on and off campus. Recently, our chapter was apart of the annual Take Back the Night. This night is sponsored by numerous groups involved in safety and sexual assault prevention and acts as an information session to all students. PEACE OUTside Campus is growing at Fairfield. The organization just won the Fairfield University Club of The Year Award because of its mission and success in 2007. We are confident that Peace OUTside Campus will be even more successful by empowering more students and families to be more proactive in safeguarding themselves against those who perpetuate crime and violence in the future.
2009 University of Fairfield Chapter Update
Chapter President Frank Barbalaco - “Our chapter is devoted to promoting awareness and safety on and off of our campus. We have meetings that meet bi-monthly, in which we discuss any strategies or ideas in order to get POC to be a household name among Fairfield students.
In 2008, we continued our relationships with various departments on campus. Some of which include public safety, ResLife, the health center and hopefully soon the police. These departments have been valuable assets to our Chapter in implementing events and programs. We hope through these partnerships we will be able to reach more of the student body.
In an on-going effort to get the word out to students, we have also put together various kiosks. Some of the kiosks in which we have collaborated with other organizations include Student Activities Fair (Sept. ’07), and Open House (April ’08). We initiated a kiosk in Safety Awareness Month (April ’08) called ‘Spring Into Action’. ‘Spring Into Action’ was a weeklong kiosk, in which information was distributed and the Chapter, itself, was showcased in the Campus Center.
We have recently just begun the first steps of implementing POC’s Certified Off-Campus Housing at the off-campus houses on Fairfield beach. For the second year, we took part in ‘Take Back the Night’ on February 28th, 2008. This event was sponsored by numerous groups involved in safety and sexual assault prevention and acts as an information session to all students”.
University of Dayton Chapter – UD became a POC Chapter in 2009! Co-presidents Maggie Schnering and Caitlin Hotchkiss with faculty advisor, Lisa Rismiller have been working diligently to get the chapter up and running.
“We have nominated officers and developed a list of goals for the semester. We are planning on meeting with the school administration this month to discuss future goals, which include a safety forum, establishing Certified Off-Campus Housing, a 5K and a program during Freshman Orientation”.
Sexual Assault Awareness Forum
When: Wednesday, Feb. 17th
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: University of Dayton: Sears Recital Hall, Humanities Building
UD's Safety and Student Grievances Committee is hosting a Sexual Assault Awareness Forum. This forum is to inform and educate you about sexual assault and the threat it poses on UD’s campus. We hope to dispel myths about sexual violence and assault so students know how to react in sexual situations with alcohol or in questionable circumstances. In attendance will be UD administrators, victim support personnel, and Montgomery County law enforcement officers. Please plan on attending to share your stUDent input and learn about how you can become more aware of the dangers of sexual assault on our campus and in the world.
University of Georgia Chapter - UGA became a PEACE OUTside Chapter in December 2008! Chapter President Briana Jewett is in the process of organizing chapter officers, programs and events. Briana hopes to initiate the Teens 'N Transition Program in the area through the Chapter.
Chapters are in development at:
- Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
- Penn State University, PA
Interested in starting a Chapter?
Contact: info@peaceoutsidecampus.org
