Author: Chloe Woodruff|Yuca Kosugi
The Office of Student Life (OSL) placed student organization Vagina Monologues on probation today, Nov. 19, following several violations of the College’s posting policy and a preliminary warning issued in February 2013.
According to the press release sent out by Director of Student Life Tamara Rice, members of Vagina Monologues put up posters in the Academic Commons without prior authorization and used chalk on the walls of the Johnson Student Center (JSC). The student handbook states that the use of chalk between the Samuelson Pavilion and the JSC is restricted to the sidewalk and must be pre-approved by the OSL.
The probation, effective until Dec. 13, 2014, will restrict the organization from using chalk or posters for future publicity and mandates that all other publicity plans must be approved by the OSL prior to implementation. Vagina Monologues has also been asked to author a letter of apology to the staff of the Academic Commons and remove all unauthorized posters from around campus. The club remains in good standing and, if it acts in accordance with the new measures, will continue to be a recognized organization by the OSL. According to the press release, the club also has the option to appeal the decision to the Dean of Students Office.
Vagina Monologues hosts an event every February to raise awareness of violence against women. They also sponsor events throughout the year, such as the Open Mic Night, which will be held Friday. According to Rice, these events will not be affected by the probation. Rice also commented that, despite her support for the organization, she felt that the measures taken by the OSL were necessary.
“Vagina Monologues has a long history of violating the posting policy and they were given a written warning this past February, which tells me that lessons are not being learned, so I had a send a harder message,” Rice said via email. “I have high regard and admiration for the work of Vagina Monologues and their cause.”
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