New research finds more domestic violence calls, fewer traffic stops in COVID-19 era

Posted on April 13, 2020 by Leslie Wells

When the COVID-19 crisis reached Indiana, closures, stay-at-home orders, and health information began flooding into inboxes around the state. Amid the pandemic, the faculty at the O’Neill School at IUPUI began making their own changes. Many looked at their research agendas to determine how they could also respond to the ongoing pandemic.

As COVID-19 spread across the country, governments began taking steps to address the ongoing pandemic and, hopefully, reduce the spread of the virus.

Jeremy Carter—the school’s director of research, director of criminal justice and public safety, and associate professor—teamed up with George Mohler from the Purdue School of Science at IUPUI and other colleagues from around the country to examine the impact social distancing has on various types of crime in Indianapolis.

Carter and Mohler suspected social distancing and stay-at-home orders could have a far-reaching effect on how much crime was happening in Indianapolis. The pair set out to examine police calls that came in to IMPD after schools began closing and once the state’s stay-at-home order went into effect. They compared these calls with those from January 1 through March 16, 2020.

“Despite the social distancing regulations, what we found was that school and business closures and stay-at-home orders didn’t have as wide-reaching of an impact as might be expected,” Carter says. “Instead, the impact on crime was very specific to the type of crime.”

“Crimes such as residential burglary may be lower because of increased vigilance over personal space and property,” Mohler adds. “But we may see increases in crimes like domestic violence because people are at home together for longer periods of time.”

They compared three different periods of time: January 2 through March 16, when schools, restaurants, and bars closed; March 16 through March 23, when the state’s stay-at-home order was announced; and March 23 through April 1.

The results of their study showed the following:

(more…)

Top 100: Honoring three exceptional O’Neill students

Posted on April 8, 2020 by Leslie Wells

headshots of three students — (L-R) Blaire Viehweg, Alexander Clausius, and Cassidy Caudill were honored with IUPUI’s Top 100 Award.

The spring semester looks much different now than it has in years past. Classrooms that once hosted engaging discussions now sit empty—the conversations have been moved online in the wake of the coronavirus epidemic.

Yet while most students may no longer be on campus, their hard work continues. IUPUI is recognizing some of those students through its annual Top 100 Awards. Each year, the IUPUI Office of Alumni Relations honors 100 outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in three categories—academics, campus leadership, and community engagement.

That includes O’Neill students Cassidy Caudill, Alexander Clausius, and Blaire Viehweg. The trio found out they had been selected for IUPUI’s Top 100 in February. All three say the selection is a humbling yet exciting experience for them.

(more…)

Five behaviors to drive leadership in times of crisis

Posted on April 6, 2020 by Leslie Wells

By Sara Johnson, IU Executive Education

Unprecedented times. It’s the phrase we keep hearing over and over from leaders around the world to describe the major shifts we’re seeing across all sectors due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. And in these unprecedented times, we must provide unprecedented leadership.

The faculty with IU Executive Education at the O’Neill School—including Mary Anna Weber, Tom DeCoster, and myself—have led teams through crises before. Our experience can help leaders learn to do the same, starting with five key concepts to form the foundation of leading your team through a crisis.

(more…)

O’Neill degree helps Russo move from officer to executive

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Leslie Wells

O'Neill alumnus Mike Russo stands inside the halls of Eli Lilly, wearing a blue shirt and red tie. — O’Neill alumnus Mike Russo stands in Eli Lilly, where he serves as the director of global security for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

O’Neill alumnus Mike Russo (BSPA’84) sits in a conference room at Eli Lilly and Company’s global headquarters in downtown Indianapolis. The suit and tie he wears now is quite different than the uniform he wore during his time with the Marion County, Indiana Sheriff’s Department.

At Lilly, Russo is responsible for the physical security of all company facilities in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific, as well as the safety of Lilly travelers and expatriate employees. He also leads investigations into counterfeit, stolen, and diverted drugs in those areas.

Russo says his role at Lilly and his past in law enforcement may seem quite different, but they share a common thread.

(more…)

O’Neill IUPUI prioritizes students amid COVID-19 changes

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Leslie Wells

The most recent email hit university inboxes, social media, and the news on March 20, 2020. Indiana University was postponing Spring Commencement due to the coronavirus. It was the latest in a series of announcements that started on March 10 when IU first decided to move classes online after Spring Break. When that first email arrived, the staff and faculty at the O’Neill School at IUPUI immediately began making adjustments. They rearranged schedules, meeting platforms, and teaching formats to minimize the impact on students.

But as the virus spread around Indiana and the nation, the university needed to adapt to keep its students, faculty, staff, and campuses healthy and safe. On March 15, IU President Michael McRobbie announced more changes:

Spring Break was extended until March 30.
All classes will be taught online for the remainder of the spring semester.
Most residence halls will close on March 20.
Events are either canceled or postponed. School-level commencement ceremonies—including O’Neill’s—are canceled.
Staff members are to work remotely, if at all possible.

“We had already planned to test virtual advising appointments the week after Spring Break,” says O’Neill Director of Student Services Nicole Amonette. “So we were in a great position to move forward with our plan and make sure we could still take care of our students. That’s our priority.”

(more…)