Events and Activities

Spring 2008 Events

1/30/2008      Meeting #1
TBA              Meeting #2 
2/25/2008      Meeting #3
3/26/2008      Field Tripp  **subject to change
4/1/2008       CJ Day
TBA              Meeting #4
TBA              March of Dimes Walk
TBA              Meeting #5
4/23/2008     Softball Game  **subject to change

Event Notes:

Blood Drive:  collected 116 pints of blood, exceeded goal of 100.

Activities:

• Professional Lectures
• Firearms Training
• Ride Alongs
• Community Service
• Athletics
• Participation at Regional and National Meetings
• Criminal Justice & Sociology Day

For more information or questions you may e-mail the organization. knruth1s@semo.edu

Professional Lectures

The Criminal Justice Association (CJA) invites working professionals to present lectures and to answer questions on their respective careers.  Some of the recent speakers include representatives from:

• ATF
• DEA
• Community Corrections
• Juvenile Mentor Program
• FBI
• Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force
• Federal Probation and Parole

Firearms Training

During early fall and late spring Dr. Michael Brown supervises students at a local firearms range.  All participants must complete a firearms training course before they are allowed to use the range.  Weapons are provided, but students are required to purchase ammunition.  Students are permitted to bring their own weapons if they are approved by Dr. Brown.

Ride Alongs

CJA has coordinated a ride along program with the Cape Girardeau Police Department for several years.  Students can ride Monday through Thursday evenings from 6:00 until 10:00 p.m.  All participants must complete an application form and students under 21 years of age must secure a parental signature.

Community Service

CJA makes a professional commitment to contribute back to the local community.  The organization selects at least one community service project each semester.  Some of the past projects included a literature drop for the Cape Girardeau Police Department, collecting paper goods for the area safe house, helping clean up low-income neighborhoods, assist in the construction of homes for Habitat for Humanity, participating in the University’s Plunge Day, and sponsoring blood drives.

Athletics

The organization participates in the university’s co-rec intramural program.  Faculty members and graduate assistants also participate allowing members the opportunity to get to know their mentors outside of the classroom environment.

Each year, the CJA students challenge the Criminal Justice and Sociology Department faculty to a flag football game in the Fall and a softball game in the Spring.

Participation in Regional and National Meetings

Faculty members and CJA members regularly attend the annual meetings of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the Midwest Criminal Justice Association.  Some of our students have cooperated with faculty members to present research papers at these meetings.

Criminal Justice & Sociology Day

CJA coordinates and hosts the department’s annual Criminal Justice & Sociology Day.  CJ & S Day activities include a career fair and a keynote address.  Representatives from a wide range of criminal justice and sociology careers come to campus to provide prospective employees with valuable information about their particular organization and to recruit students for employment.  The CJ & S Day committee, on the basis of his or her national reputation and contributions to the field, selects the keynote speaker.  Last year’s speaker, Southeast graduate and Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Michael Braun, spoke on his experiences with the DEA.

Prospective criminal justice majors now attending high school or community college are invited to attend CJ & S Day.  For more information, contact Dr. John Wade. Or click on CJ & S Day.