Meet Kevin Quindlen, Class of 2015, Biology Major, SpeakUp Bucknell Peer Educator and Sigma Phi Epsilon President!
Why was SpeakUp Bucknell created and what does it hope to accomplish on campus?
SpeakUp Bucknell was created in an effort to prevent sexual assault and further educate the Bucknell community on the issue. The main focus of SpeakUp is the positive bystander model, which encourages students to recognize potentially dangerous situations and, instead of being a regular bystander, intervene and become a positive bystander. SpeakUp also serves to make the issue relevant for everyone, not just potential victims or potential perpetrators.
Why did you choose to get involved with SpeakUp Bucknell? As president of your fraternity, did you feel an obligation to prevent sexual violence on campus?
I chose to become a part of Speak UP Bucknell because when my fraternity was given the positive bystander presentation my sophomore year, I realized how relevant and serious sexual assault was on our campus and I wanted to help make a difference. I actually joined Speak Up before becoming the President of SigEp, but I do see it as the responsibility of not just all fraternity men, but all members of the Bucknell community to help prevent sexual violence on campus. Here at Bucknell, men host most of the social events, therefore we are in fact responsible for the safety and well-being of those who attend such events. As men on campus, we not only have the responsibility to prevent sexual violence, we have a great opportunity to do so.
How can the student body as a whole help prevent sexual assault on campus?
I have always thought that for things to truly change in terms of sexual assault on campus, it starts with an attitude change. It starts with changes, such as the way we talk about sex and relationships and the way we challenge each other’s expectations related to sex and relationships. We need to try to change the culture that allows sexual assault to occur, which requires the support of the entire student body. People need to recognize that factors such as objectification and unhealthy sexual attitudes contribute to this culture and then challenge those factors, only then will people’s attitude change and we can continue to move in a positive direction. There are still a lot of issues to be addressed, but I feel that since I came here three years ago much has changed for the better.
In your opinion, what are some of the greatest strengths and weaknesses about Greek life at Bucknell?
I believe many would agree that there are many strengths of the Bucknell Greek system. Most importantly, in my opinion, Greek life offers those that belong to it lasting relationships. I can say that personally I have met some of my best friends through joining a Greek organization, friends I know I will have long after college. Also, the Greek system has standards, which can be individualized from chapter to chapter, that motivate people to excel academically and pursue leadership opportunities around campus. Personally, I would attribute my involvement on campus to my brothers and the motivation they offered me to seek out those opportunities. Of course, no system is perfect. One of the most talked about weaknesses to the Greek system is the division it creates on campus. Not only does it separate Greeks from those who are non-affiliated, but it causes great divisions between men and women of different fraternities and sororities. Overall, I think the strengths outweigh the weaknesses, however, we all can do better to break down the divisions created by the system.
In addition to being involved with IFC and SpeakUp Bucknell, you’re also an OA! How has that leadership role impacted your overall experience at Bucknell and what has the experience taught you?
The OA experience was unlike any other at Bucknell. Of course it was exhausting running on a few hours of sleep every night, but it was more than worth it in the end. Being an OA has enhanced my overall Bucknell experience significantly not only by showing me one of the best times of my life, but also the chance to make a group of first-year students’ orientation as memorable as mine was. I learned a lot through the OA program. Not only did it teach me how to lead a group of people, but it also increased my ability to meet new people and build strong relationships.
What is your major and how do you successfully balance schoolwork with all of your extracurricular involvement?
I am a biology major with a biochemistry minor currently on the pre-med track. It is not always easy to balance schoolwork and extracurricular involvement. Between meetings and extra work outside the classroom, extra-curriculars can take up a lot of my time. It is most important for me to stay on top of my schoolwork because we are all here as students first. I try to balance this out by taking care of as much of my extracurricular work during downtime. It definitely requires some late nights, but I feel that it is absolutely worth it.
Where do you see yourself post graduation?
I see myself most likely going to graduate school to continue my studies in biology. From a young age I wanted to be a doctor, but the amount of schooling required to do so might be too much for me.
Favorites:
- Spot on campus: The dock
- Meal at Bucknell: Philly cheesesteak from the Bison
- Class: Virology
- Thing about Bucknell: The people
3 Fun facts:
- I have lived in England and Japan, and moved 6 times
- I can clap with one hand
- I once threw the ceremonial first pitch of a Arizona Diamondbacks game