Last Wednesday I served as the moderator at the open forum addressing the issue of "The Vagina Monologues." I bit my tongue and refrained from adding my own opinion in order to remain a neutral moderator. I wanted to join in support of, not only "The Vagina Monologues," but of the women who courageously performed them on our campus.

Part of the discussion focused on the issue of money. Many agreed that if Saint Mary's had more money, we would not have to depend on alumni and outside monetary support and would therefore be "freer" to make decisions about issues like the "Monologues," which directly affect the freedom of students on campus.

One student pointed out that the seniors will soon join the ranks of alumni and many will not be giving money back to Saint Mary's because of the treatment received surrounding this issue and many issues like it. There are indeed alumni out there now who have been disconcerted by the censorship of the "Monologues" and are currently withholding financial support from the college.

I would like to propose a compromise. We are in the midst of the "Senior Leadership Campaign" which is an attempt to solicit a mere $10 from each senior to leave as a gift for the college.

Apparently this money will be contributed to the general fund or if enough is raised will be used toward a "gift" in the new student center. I know that many women, including myself, feel weary about donating this money and many have chosen to make a statement by not donating.

Rather than silently refusing to give this money, I would like to propose that any senior, who feels strongly about the issues surrounding the monologues, donate her money to Campus Alliance for Rape Elimination (CARE) — the club that originally wanted to sponsor "The Vagina Monologues" and whose officers were punished by our college for being part of the performance.

By donating money to CARE or perhaps to the Women's Center or even to the Women's Studies program, we can take pride in financially supporting the future of Saint Mary's College and also be sure that our monetary support will be contributing to positive programs and activities that we believe in.

I know many seniors have reported feeling upset or jaded by recent events and issues surrounding "The Vagina Monologues." Let's not let that overpower our pride in Saint Mary's College. We have all worked hard through our time here. After graduation let's use our influence as alumnae to take an active role in helping to develop Saint Mary's into the kind of school we are proud to represent in this world.

I am sending my $10 to CARE as a way to show support for the officers who so bravely fought to bring "The Vagina Monologues" to campus this year and to insure that my financial donation to Saint Mary's College will be in safe hands. Seniors, please join me in this by writing a short note to appropriate administrators and let's show Saint Mary's College what our money can do now and in the future. (Checks can be made out to CARE and delivered to any of the club's officers.)

Carolyn Kelley

senior

off-campus

April 3, 2001

• Having the readiness to sacrifice
  
• Thank you for support in our tragedy
  
• Show Saint Mary's the money
  
• In defense of free trade
  
• People cannot be contained by race
  
• Take charge of your taco
  
• Quote of the Day