CARE addresses members about `Monologues' controversy
By COLLEEN McCARTHY
Associate News Editor
Board members of the Campus Alliance for Rape Elimination (CARE) briefed members of the Board of Governance on their meeting with Saint Mary's administrators last week and fielded questions from Board members regarding the play, "The Vagina Monologues."
The administration has refused to allow the nationally acclaimed play by Eve Ensler to be performed at Saint Mary's although it was performed in February of 2000 at the College.
"The administration had a lot of suggestions about what they think would be more inclusive activities for the campus relative to addressing issues of sexuality that they presented to us," said Emily Koelsch, a CARE board member. "As far as having the play performed on campus this year, we agreed to disagree."
Koelsch told Board members that CARE had accomplished its two goals going into the meeting. The administration will allow CARE to send a letter describing the play and the need for it on campus to the Parents Council, Board of Trustees and Alumnae Board. Eldred will also send an e-mail to the College student body describing her reasons for not allowing the play to be performed this year.
Julie Frischkorn, a CARE board member and BOG Women's Issues commissioner noted that the administration acknowledged that academic freedom would allow professors to read the play in their classes and that there was nothing the administration could do to prevent that from taking place.
Board members asked numerous questions of the CARE representatives including asking CARE to address whether rumors relating to a possible performance of the play were true.
"I don't know anything about that and I prefer not to respond to underground stories and rumors," said CARE member Katie Poynter.
However, CARE members have agreed with the administration that the group would not sponsor a performance of the play this year. Koelsch and the other CARE members have said, however, that if individual students want to get together and have a reading of the play, there is nothing they can do because they have no control over what other students do.
Katie Robinson, junior class president asked whether having an "underground" performance of the "Monologues" would hinder the chances of the administration allowing the play to be performed in the future.
"I don't think there is anything besides student pressure that will get it performed again next year," said Poynter. "The administration wants to see this issue die and go away. Maybe if students do perform it on their own people will go and see it and be inspired and want to push for a presentation of the play on campus next year," said Robinson.
Another issue raised by off-campus commissioner Kristy Sutorious was whether the threat of donors refusing to make good on financial donations to the College if the play was performed was a factor in Eldred's decision.
"[Eldred] told us that it was not a question of money," Koelsch said. "Rather, she said it was a question of respecting the interests of all constituencies on campus."
Vice president Michelle Nagle asked whether a play with the "shock value" of the "Monologues" was the best way to address issues of sexuality when many of the students at Saint Mary's had gone to Catholic schools all their lives where issues of sexuality were not discussed in such a direct fashion.
"If these students have grown up in a naive atmosphere and now they're in college, should there be other things to build on first that would make the play less shocking," asked Nagle. "My question is if the shock value of the play will necessarily attract the students who need to see it or if the shock value will turn them away."
Frischkorn responded that there are a variety of other activities on campus such as panel discussions, CARE meetings and Feminist Collective meetings where students can talk about issues of sexuality in a small-group setting.
"It's not necessarily the shock value of the play," said Koelsch. "Rather, it's poignant descriptions of experiences other women have had."
Discussion between Board members then focused on whether they should make a statement regarding the administration's decision to not allow the performance.
"I don't know if I think it is appropriate for us to endorse the play this year and if an endorsement would be effective because some of us on the Board haven't seen the play," said student representative to the Board of Trustees, Molly Kahn.
"I have my personal opinion about the play but I've had many students approach me who don't like it and I don't know who I feel about voting on behalf of the student body if I don't know what their opinion is," said Kahn.
Sophomore class president Kristin Matha also suggested the Board gather more student opinion before making a statement.
"I think we need some sort of way to gauge student opinion," said Matha.
Kahn said that making a statement could inhibit the dialogue that is now taking place with the administration.
"I think we need to allow a dialogue to continue on this issue," said Kahn. "We should seek to be collaborative here and not antagonistic. I think that would be the most responsible way for us to go."
In other news:
u The Board tabled discussion of the Keenan Revue issue until next time when all members (who went to see the Revue) were present and the data from the ballot initiative was returned.
u Athletic commissioner Nickey Prezioso updated the Board on the discontinuation of the track team after this season.
"We basically had nothing in terms of facilities and we don't have enough staff," said Prezioso. "[Athletic director Lynn Kachmirik] said that she didn't want to shortchange the track team."
Prezioso also said that the current track coaches have agreed to stay on next season and coach the team as a club sport without pay.
Student Diversity Board President and track team member Akmaral Omarova said members of the team are meeting with Linda Timm, vice president for student affairs, on Tuesday to discuss the elimination of the team.
"For 18 years we haven't had the facilities for the team and now it is all of a sudden being eliminated so this isn't just an issue that arose overnight about lack of facilities and coaches," said Omarova.
All News Stories for Tuesday, February 6, 2001
