The reliability of child witness testimony is a prime factor in cases of abuse, but how they are questioned can influence a child’s answers. When faced with choices a child will often pick one, even if the correct answer is not one of the options given.

New research by a University of Toledo psychologist supports asking open-ended questions and challenges an increasingly popular solution for forensic interviewers to add a “something else” alternative choice when questioning young children.

London Newton

“What we found in our research is that even when children may correctly choose the something else option when the other choices are not accurate, the follow-up answer also is inaccurate,” said Dr. Kamala London Newton, UT associate professor of psychology.

For example, a child is asked a question such as whether the interviewer said that her favorite fruit was an apple, a banana or something else. The interviewer never said anything about her favorite fruit, so the child does not know the correct answer. So the child responds with something else, but when prompted with “what is her favorite fruit?” the child replied “carrots.”

London Newton’s research, titled “Does it help, hurt or something else? The effect of a something else response alternative on children’s performance on forced-choice questions,” is published in the August issue of the American Psychological Association journal Psychology, Public Policy, and the Law. She co-authored the article with graduate students Ashley Hall and Nicole Lytle, who have since received their PhD degrees in developmental psychology from UT.

London Newton’s Developmental Psychology Lab studies the best practices in interviewing child witnesses, and she has provided expert testimony on the subject, with her work cited twice by the United States Supreme Court.

“Interviewing young children, particularly those preschool aged, can be a challenge because of their limited communication skills and the fact that they do not resist answering false and unanswerable questions,” London Newton said.

“While providing children choices increases the probability that the child will answer the questions, those answers are too often inaccurate,” she said. “That is especially true if children are asked a question but none of the answer choices provided are accurate because children generally do not reply that they do not know.”

That presents a challenge because child abuse professionals argue that answers to open-ended prompts are too sparse and so forced-choice questions are needed, but it is not possible for those professionals to always be sure that one of the choices they are giving the child is true, London Newton said.

For her latest study, London Newton and her research team interviewed 94 children ages three to five years old. The children had participated in a 20-minute event in which a research assistant touched children on different public locations of their body, such as the elbow, and asked them to show on a doll or drawing where they were touched. Then after a one-week delay the children were interviewed about that event with a series of questions in which half the participants were asked standard questions with two choices and the others were asked questions with those two choices and also given the something else option.

The researchers found that the addition of the something else option did not improve the accuracy of responses. This was the case for all three types of questions asked — true questions in which the correct answer was present, false questions in which no correct answer was provided and unanswerable questions that require speculation, for example is red heavier than yellow?

“Our research supports additional work in this field that shows that the most developmentally appropriate way to pose questions to young children is to avoid forced-choice options as much as possible,” London Newton said. “One of the biggest dangers of including a something else alternative is that it may incorrectly give the interviewers more confidence that the response is accurate. Our findings support that asking open ended questions is the best approach to interviewing young children.”

In his new role as interim associate vice president and dean of students, Dr. Sammy Spann will encourage students to get engaged on campus.

Spann, who has served The University of Toledo for 15 years most recently as assistant provost for career services, experiential learning and international programs overseeing the Center for International Studies and Programs, was appointed to the role effective July 15.

Spann

“We are fortunate to have someone with Sammy’s commitment to students and passion for higher education on our campus. He will be an enthusiastic champion for student success as dean of students,” said Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, interim vice president of student affairs.

Spann, who has 18 years experience in higher education, joined UT in 2002 as director of Camp Adventure, a service-learning program he continues to be involved with today. Throughout his tenure at UT, he also has served as executive director of student engagement and assistant provost for international studies and programs.

“I look forward to working closely with students and my colleagues across the University to enhance the student experience here at UT,” Spann said. “I am passionate about getting students involved on campus and connected to opportunities to reinforce their education through real-world experiences. This is an exciting opportunity to help students be successful through those efforts.”

Sara Clark, director of global engagement and education abroad, will serve as the interim director for the Center for International Studies and Programs.

Spann is a UT alumnus receiving his PhD in special education from the University. He also has a master’s degree in special education and behavior disorders from the University of Northern Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Fort Valley State University in Georgia.

Prior to joining UT, Spann was a recruiter and retention specialist for Fort Valley State and a supervisor of education practicum experiences at Northern Iowa.

Artists and art appreciators alike are gearing up for this summer’s Art on the Mall, which this year is celebrating its 25th anniversary on campus.

The juried art show will be held on Centennial Mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Free parking will be available in Lot 1 South, Lot 1 North and Lot 13 with golf cart shuttle service to transport guests and their packages to and from Centennial Mall if needed. 

More than 100 artists are expected to show off their wares, which range from acrylic, glass, jewelry, mixed media, pen and ink, oil, photography, pottery, textile, watercolor, woodwork and more.

“The quality of our artists’ work is outstanding, and there is something for everyone. We have a diverse and eclectic mix, sure to excite art lovers of all kinds,” said Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the UT Office of Alumni and Annual Engagement. “In addition, the venue of our beautiful campus is the ideal place to enjoy the day. Free parking, golf cart shuttles, and no admission certainly make this show appealing to all.”

Artists who have participated in all 25 years of Art on the Mall will have an indicator on their booths commemorating the achievement.

Works will be juried by representatives from the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, with prizes such as UT’s Best of Show, awarded to an artist with affiliation to the University.

For younger guests who prefer to take a more hands-on approach to art, the Young Artist Area, sponsored by Huntington, will provide supplies for creating projects free of charge.

In addition to the art pieces, food and beverages will be available from vendors such as Jeanie’s Comfort Cuisine, Karen Anne’s Kettle Korn, K & K Concessions, OPA! Cuisine, Quinn’s Concessions, and Rosie’s Rolling Chef.

A beer and wine garden will be open for guests 21 or older with a valid ID.

A financial adviser and the chief executive officer of an international automotive supplier have been appointed to The University of Toledo Board of Trustees.

Patrick J. Kenney, a financial adviser with Wilcox Financial, was named by Ohio Gov. John Kasich to a full nine-year term ending July 1, 2026. He takes the seat of Gary P. Thieman who completed his term as a trustee in June.

F. Patrick “Pat” D’Eramo, president and CEO of Martinrea International Inc., was named by the governor to a term ending July 1, 2021. He will complete the remaining years of the trustee position that became vacant in 2012 when Richard McQuade and Carroll Ashley completed their service on the board.

“I look forward to welcoming Patrick and Pat to the board and the perspectives they will bring from their vast business experience as we set the path forward for UT,” said Steven Cavanaugh, chair of the UT Board of Trustees.

Kenney, a registered investment advisor, has more than 30 years experience running a financial advisory practice assisting individuals and corporations in a variety of financial issues. His entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding Health Care Solutions and CareLink Nursing Services, as well as serving as a founding member of the Ohio Innovations Fund that supports technical startup companies.

Kenney has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and is a CPA.

D’Eramo has had an extensive career in the automotive business, including serving as president of Dana Corporation’s Commercial Vehicle Technology group, vice president of manufacturing for Toyota and varied manufacturing management roles for General Motors.

He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in manufacturing management from Kettering University.

Hedyeh Elahinia, of Sylvania, was appointed a student member of the board to serve through July 1, 2019. Elahinia is a pre-med senior with a biology major and chemistry minor. She is co-president of the UT Muslim Students Association.

The University of Toledo President Sharon L. Gaber has been appointed to represent the Mid-American Conference on the NCAA Division I Presidential Forum.

The Presidential Forum, which consists of one president or chancellor from each of the 32 NCAA Division 1 Conferences, assists the NCAA Division I Board of Directors in accomplishing its strategic mission and helps ensure that the NCAA core value involving presidential leadership of intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference and national level is achieved.

“I am honored to represent the Mid-American Conference as the Presidential Forum discusses and provides counsel on the issues facing the NCAA,” Gaber said. “Intercollegiate athletics play an important role in higher education and I look forward to the opportunity to support our student-athletes and provide input on best practices for our campuses.”

Gaber replaces Western Michigan University President John M. Dunn, who is retiring, as the MAC representative on the Presidential Forum.

The Mid-American Conference announced the appointments today.

The University of Toledo Board of Trustees voted today to endorse the Multiple Campus Master Plan 2017 that establishes a guide to the evolution of UT’s campuses for the next decade.

The master plan is focused on four themes: repositioning the academic core, investing in research, consolidating athletics, and enhancing student life.

“This 10-year plan is the result of months of collaborations with our students, faculty, staff, trustees, neighbors and other stakeholders to guide future decision making for our physical campuses to support the University’s mission to serve students and benefit the community,” said Jason Toth, UT associate vice president for facilities and construction. “I look forward to watching the campuses evolve according to this plan.”

Efforts to develop the master plan, which was created in collaboration with the consulting firm Smith Group JJR, began in fall 2014, and the draft plan was presented publicly in December.

It was developed under the guiding principles of student success and student life experience; research, scholarship and creative activities; asset stewardship; campus character; and community interface.

The master plan honors the beauty of UT’s campuses and the Ottawa River by focusing the academic core on Main Campus around the iconic University Hall with renovations to nearby academic buildings, including Carlson Library. The Student Union, on-campus living and recreation options also will be enhanced to boost student life energy and excitement.

The Health Science Campus is positioned to respond to continued evolution in medical education and clinical research as the academic affiliation agreement between the College of Medicine and Life Sciences and ProMedica is implemented and the UT Medical Center plans to add more primary care and behavioral health options to meet the needs of the community.

The plan also calls for a new multidisciplinary research center near Nitschke Hall and a consolidation of athletics facilities moving baseball, softball and soccer from Scott Park Campus to Main Campus.

The campus master plan will be implemented in phases during the next decade.

The executive summary of the Multiple Campus Master Plan 2017 is available online at utoledo.edu/facilities/master-plan.

Any questions may be directed to the Office of University Communications by calling 419.530.2410 or via email at meghan.cunningham@utoledo.edu.

A fundraiser with more than 15 years of experience in higher education development has been selected to lead The University of Toledo’s Division of Advancement.

Michael Harders, vice president of university advancement and development for Kennesaw State University in Georgia, will join the University as vice president of advancement Monday, March 20.

Harders

“The work that the Division of HardersAdvancement does to elevate UT’s fundraising and messaging to our campus, alumni and external communities is important to the University’s success achieving our goals,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Mike’s experience and commitment to building a culture of philanthropy will provide strong leadership in this area, which is focused on elevating UT’s reputation.”

The Division of Advancement includes Alumni Relations, Development, Marketing and Communications, and Special Events.

“I am honored for the opportunity to work with President Gaber and The University of Toledo community to advance the vision and strategic priorities of this outstanding university at this important moment in the institution’s history,” Harders said.

“I look forward to collaborating with the campus community, to learning the philanthropic interests of the supporters of the institution, and to working with the talented professionals in the Division of Advancement as we strive together to support our students and faculty, and enhance our facilities and programs for the benefit of our state, nation and world.”

During his time at Kennesaw State since 2012, Harders tripled the amount of annual support to the university with significant growth in annual giving and alumni participation and donations.

He previously served as executive director of development for Missouri State University, where he coordinated its “Our Promise” comprehensive campaign, which exceeded its $125 million fundraising goal. He also was senior director of development for the Kansas State University Foundation.

Harders earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Kansas State University.

The University of Toledo has 372 more students currently enrolled for spring semester than at the same time last year, reflecting continued efforts to recruit and retain additional students.

The total enrollment for spring semester 2017 is 19,221, according to official 15-day census numbers. UT had 18,849 students enrolled in spring semester 2016.

At the beginning of this academic year, UT experienced its first fall enrollment increase in six years, with 20,648 students enrolled. The University has continued its efforts to encourage students to continue their studies with a fall to spring semester undergraduate retention rate for 2016-17 of 89.2 percent, which is on par with the previous year.

“I am proud to see our increased recruitment and retention efforts result in more students choosing to come to UT and succeeding in their studies,” President Sharon L. Gaber said.

The spring 2017 enrollment includes 14,858 undergraduate students, an increase over the 14,679 enrolled the previous spring. These numbers are partially attributed to a larger number of new transfer students and high school students taking courses at UT.

UT experienced stronger growth in graduate students with 4,363 graduate students currently enrolled. The 4.6 percent increase over the 4,170 enrolled in spring 2016 includes a 31 percent increase in first-time graduate students and a 44 percent increase in new international graduate students.

Following a thorough review of its clinical operations and the needs of the region, The University of Toledo leadership has determined that The University of Toledo Medical Center will continue to operate in South Toledo serving the community.

The hospital is strong financially, operating near full capacity and able to meet the health care needs of its neighbors. In the coming years, UTMC will strengthen its focus in the areas of primary care and behavioral health.

UTMC will continue to be owned by The University of Toledo and serve as a teaching hospital, providing opportunities for learners from the Colleges of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nursing, and Health and Human Services.

In 2016, UTMC served approximately 12,000 inpatients, treated 36,000 people in the emergency department and saw more than 250,000 people in affiliated clinics. More than 70 percent of the medical center’s patients come from the neighborhoods surrounding the hospital, and serving that population will continue to be a priority for UTMC.

“In a rapidly changing industry such as health care, it was imperative that we take the time to thoroughly review our operations, the community we serve and the dynamics of the healthcare market. We needed to be sure we could successfully adapt to the changing environment we live in and continue to serve our 80,000 neighbors effectively,” UT President Sharon L. Gaber said. “We have confidence in our team and we appreciate the patience everyone exhibited while we worked toward determining this path forward.”

In the years ahead, UTMC will continue to evolve to respond to changing health care priorities and the needs of the Toledo community.

“Our success is directly related to the efforts and commitment of our more than 2,300 employees and physicians who work tirelessly to provide high-quality care for our patients,” said Dan Barbee, interim CEO of UTMC. “We are excited about our future and we look forward to continuing to serve this community we know so well.”