Eldred won't fight monologues
SARAH NESTOR
News Writer
Amid the speculation and rumor as to whether "The Vagina Monologues" will be performed at Saint Mary's, a word of mouth campaign was started Wednesday revealing that students will read "The Vagina Monologues" Feb. 25 in Regina North lounge at 9 p.m.
Unlike last year when College President Marilou Eldred demanded an apology from leaders of C.A.R.E. whom she accused of organizing the performance, Eldred said she will not sanction student performers this year.
"I have not seen the advertisements, but there will be no repercussions if the play is performed," said Eldred.
The latest issue of the Marie Claire magazine already had the College listed as holding a performance of "Vagina Monologues," and the V-day Web site also has Saint Mary's listed as holding a performance, but does not give a date, time or place for the performance.
The students involved with "The Vagina Monologues" reading at Saint Mary's Monday refused to comment.
Administration reaction to students performing or reading "The Vagina Monologues" has been positive this year. Students and the administration have been able to talk about the situation so that dissension does not occur on campus as it did last year.
"They have worked together the way women should work together, sitting down over a cup of coffee and talking," said Karen Ristau, vice president and dean of faculty.
In a letter to the student body from the Board of Governance, the board voiced its support of the administration and the steps that have been taken this year to incorporate new programs in response to the controversy concerning "The Monologues" last year. The letter commended such events as the Sexuality Series, "Womyn with Wings" and Katie Koestner, "Sex Signals."
The events will continue next year.
"The sexuality series will continue next year, with programming as recommended by the anti-violence task force that is composed of faculty, students and staff," Eldred said.
Some Saint Mary's students expressed their approval of "The Monologues" return to campus in addition to the programming already sponsored by the College.
"I think that it's great because I think "The Vagina Monologues" raise an awareness about women's bodies," sophomore Cyd Apellido said. "Those students who are participating are really brave and they show that they really care to take that risk of possibly getting in trouble. Hopefully other students will see that it is not about controversy but about consciousness."
All News Stories for Thursday, February 21, 2002
