Members discuss Keenan Revue
By COLLEEN McCARTHY
Associate News Editor
The Board of Governance decided at its Tuesday meeting to place an initative on Monday's Student Body President election to determine the student body's opinion on holding the Keenan Revue on campus.
"This ballot initiative would be a good way to get a more accurate assessment of the student body's views," said Student Body President Crissie Renner. "The administration is really looking for a response from the student body that might be a different approach than Keenan boys coming to our dining hall and handing out surveys."
The survey, conducted by residents of Keenan Hall was taken first semester to assess the approval or disapproval of Saint Mary's students regarding the Keenan Revue. In a survey of 286 Saint Mary's women, only 17 said they disapproved of the Revue and felt it shouldn't be held on the Saint Mary's campus.
Members of BOG emphasized that by putting the initiative on the ballot, the response from the student body would not determine the possibility of the Revue taking place on campus, but rather, the survey would be used to get an assessment of the student body's views.
"We want people to see this as a `what is your opinion' question, not `this will be the final result,'" said Molly Kahn, student representative to the Board of Trustees.
Kahn said the administration supports the inclusion of the ballot initiative.
Although the wording of the initiative was not decided at the meeting, Renner and others suggested that it ideally would consist of two questions. The first would ask whether the individual had seen the Keenan Revue and the second question would ask if she thought it should be held on the Saint Mary's campus.
The feedback from the ballot initiative would then be used to guide BOG in its next steps.
"I think that we would get the information back from the initiative, talk about it, collaborate with the administration and go from there," said Kahn.
Veronica Kessenich, Saint Mary's representative to the Notre Dame Senate, suggested having a forum for Saint Mary's students to be held the week after the Keenan Revue as another opportunity to gather information regarding student opinion of the Revue.
"I think a lot more discussion will occur after the Revue and maybe after students have had a chance to see it," said Kessenich. "The forum would provide another opportunity for people to voice their opinions on the Revue."
Michelle Nagle, student body vice president encouraged all members of BOG to attend the Revue.
"It's important that all of us attend so that we can say that we've seen the Revue and that we can make an educated decision regarding the Revue if called upon to do so," said Nagle.
Vagina Monologues debated
The administration's decision not to allow the play, "The Vagina Monologues" to be performed this year at Saint Mary's was also discussed.
Women's Issues Commissioner Julie Frishkorn provided background to the Board regarding the controversy.
Kessenich questioned whether BOG should take a stand on the College's decision to cancel the play.
"I don't know what should be done, but I think that if we are going to make a decision and take a stand regarding the Keenan Revue which is a satirical, farcical and sometimes not very funny play being put on our campus, then we need to ask why we haven't been asked to play a role in making the decision about this nationally acclaimed play that addresses numerous important issues, particularly women's issues that is being denied being performed on this campus," said Kessenich.
Emily Koelsch, member of the Campus Alliance for Rape Elimination board that wants to sponsor the "Monologues" said that although the administration has said that the play couldn't be performed at Saint Mary's, it would be helpful to have the BOG take a stand regarding the administration's decision.
"I think that it is worth having a student-led organization like BOG telling the administration their opinion about situations like the `Monologues,'" said Koelsch. "I don't think students can ever express their opinions to the administration too much on issues like this even if the administration has already said `no.'"
Koelsch said CARE is trying to set up a meeting with College President Marilou Eldred.
"We want to sit down with Dr.Eldred this week to discuss where things can go from here," said Koelsch. "We need to know for sure yes or no if this can happen, what her position is on the play, and if there is any flexibility in the decision the administration has made."
Nagle asked whether there would be other events addressing issues of sexuality taking place on campus in lieu of the "Monologues."
Frishkorn said that CARE. plans to bring in speakers as scheduled and other activities but right now the group is still focusing their efforts on the "Monologues."
In other news:
uNagle said the Student Academic Council is working on assessing the goals of SAC and determining what needs are being met and which needs are being neglected.
uThere is only one ticket running for student body president/vice president. The ticket is current vice president Nagle running for president with sophomore class president Kristin Matha as her vice president.
"Meet the Candidates" night will be held in Haggar parlor at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Voting for the student body president and vice president will take place on Monday in the Noble Family Dining Hall during dining hall hours and in the off-campus lounge in Haggar College Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All News Stories for Tuesday, January 30, 2001
