Indiana
February 23, 2023
‘Don’t Say Gay’: Proposed education bill raises controversy in Indiana
A controversial education bill colloquially titled, ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ HB 1608, passed the Indiana House Education Committee on Feb. 20 and is now before the Indiana House of Representatives. The bill, authored by Rep. Michelle Davis, resembles a controversial Florida state law that is known colloquially as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Both Indiana’s bill and Florida’s law prohibit discussion and education in the classroom regarding gender and sexual orientation in certain grade levels and in other specific circumstances. Many people on campus have expressed their concerns about how the bill will impact the GC community. Suzanne Ehst, professor of...
January 26, 2023
New state grant becomes available to GC students
According to Goshen College institutional research, 99.6% of students receive financial aid with an average package of nearly $29,000. The Indiana State Budget Committee recently approved an additional request from the Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE) for the largest increase in state grant funding since 2008. “We are thrilled to see that the [ICHE] is increasing the Frank O’Bannon Grant for the 2023-24 school year,” said Matt Wimmer, assistant director of financial aid. The Frank O’ Bannon/Freedom of Choice Grant will become available to students who complete their FAFSA by April 15, hold a GED or high school diploma,...
February 25, 2022
‘Education matters’: Proposed bill raises controversy
A controversial education reform bill titled “Education Matters,” HB 1134, passed out of the Indiana Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and is set to advance to the full Senate for debate next week. HB 1134 has gained the support of Joanna King (R-49), a representative from Goshen College’s district, who has already voted in favor of the bill. Indiana Sen. Linda Rogers (R-11), who represents some of Elkhart County, is the bill’s lead sponsor in the senate alongside co-sponsor State Sen. Blake Doriot (R-12), representing GC’s district. If passed, the bill will prohibit Indiana teachers from teaching lessons that suggest...
January 24, 2020
Indiana bill would grant driver’s licenses to undocumented Hoosiers
A bill in the Indiana House of Representatives would grant driver’s licenses to the 100,000 Indiana residents who lack legal documentation, easing the constant fear that accompanies undocumented drivers. The bill, House Bill 1083, is sponsored by Representatives Chris Campbell and J.D. Ford, and has been introduced for years but has never been scheduled for a vote. The bill was assigned to the roads and transportation committee on Jan. 7, but has yet to be scheduled for public hearing. If it does not receive a hearing, it will be shelved until next year. Goshen College doesn’t know the exact number...
November 2, 2018
By phone and on foot, Sessa canvasses for state Democratic Party
Christi Sessa has knocked on doors all around Goshen – on Eighth Street, College Avenue, Main Street -- with something similar to a sales pitch. Sessa isn’t selling a product so much as an idea. Sessa, a senior peace, justice and conflict studies major at Goshen College, is serving as an intern this semester with the Coordinated Campaign for the Indiana Democratic Party. As part of the internship, Sessa is canvassing voters, going door to door in Goshen to encourage people to vote, in particular for the Democratic Party. Sessa averages 5 to 10 hours of canvassing during the weekend....
October 24, 2018
GC shows support for hate crimes legislation
Indiana residents hoping for progress on hate crime legislation will have to wait until next year for results. Despite Governor Eric Holcomb’s support of such legislation, Indiana lawmakers could not agree on the wording of Senate Bill 418 earlier this year, which would have given judges the option to impose longer sentences for crimes motivated by hate towards marginalized groups. This is not the first time a hate crimes bill has been proposed and subsequently cut. This summer, Goshen College President Rebecca Stoltzfus signed a letter supporting hate crimes legislation in Indiana, which is one of only five states that...
October 24, 2018
GC shows support for hate crimes legislation
Indiana residents hoping for progress on hate crime legislation will have to wait until next year for results. Despite Governor Eric Holcomb’s support of such legislation, Indiana lawmakers could not agree on the wording of Senate Bill 418 earlier this year, which would have given judges the option to impose longer sentences for crimes motivated by hate towards marginalized groups. This is not the first time a hate crimes bill has been proposed and subsequently cut. This summer, Goshen College President Rebecca Stoltzfus signed a letter supporting hate crimes legislation in Indiana, which is one of only five states that...
October 6, 2016
Faculty members run in bicentennial torch relay
In celebration of Indiana’s bicentennial, a torch relay passed through Elkhart County on Tuesday Oct. 4, featuring three Goshen College employees. The Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay started in Harrison County on Friday Sept. 9 and will finish in Marion County on Oct. 15. Richard Aguirre, director of corporate and foundation relations, Rocio Diaz, CIIE coordinator of intercultural community engagement, and Gilberto Perez, senior director of intercultural development and educational partnerships, each took a turn running through Goshen with the torch. “It was a fun experience,” said Perez, “but perhaps the greatest joy in all of this was seeing the GC...
November 19, 2014
Conference Informs About Human Trafficking
This year, the Rotary International’s annual World Affairs Conference focused on human trafficking and its presence in Indiana. Students, totaling 240, from six local high schools attended this conference, which was entitled “Child Slavery: I Can Help Slay the Monster,” focusing on human trafficking, or modern slavery—something that can be broken down into two categories: labor and sex. Essentially, the conference addressed the issue of human trafficking, then provided various solutions in hope for improvement. The solutions include things such as strengthening vulnerable people, switching to fair trade items and simply learning more about the subject. One of the main...
January 14, 2009
Indiana budget halts capital projects
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has proposed a two-year halt on new and pending capital campaigns funded by taxpayers, such as college and university renovations and construction efforts. Daniels’ budget proposal includes money for the expansion of two prisons: Miami Correctional Facility and the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. However, since Goshen College is a private institution with capital campaigns funded largely by private donors, the two-year halt won’t have a large affect on the college's campaign efforts or financial aid. Chris Ruhl, Indiana budget director, said the proposed moratorium would save Indiana $25 million in the next two years. State officials...