So, there is a lot going on here at Texas Tech University. This has reminded me how important it is for students – undergraduate and graduate – as well as faculty to engage in activism and advocacy.
Essentially, a fraternity on TTU’s campus had a boat with the slogan “no means yes, yes means anal.” This boat has been around for at least 6 years and they have similar slogans like this for all their parties (e.g., an ice sculpture with “put out or get out” at an 80s themed party). They also had a “vagina sprinkler” where a wooden cut out of a woman’s spread legs were attached to a sprinkler at the party. The image went viral the next day.
Eleven days after the event a protest happened on campus – women (all of them de-identified – a common experience is fear among women, not just fear of the campus climate, but fear of being punished for speaking out) hung banners around campus with a list of demands.
At this point, the president of the student government – a member of that organization and at the party – is refusing to resign. Here is his apology.
There is some mobilization on campus, and it is a true pleasure to engage – people participating in the #itsonus campaign, the dean of students is getting involved with FMLA (feminist majority leadership alliance), as well as people speaking out about the student body president.
We’re seeing movement here… but it not enough. This is not the first university with this experience and not the last.
However, with combined and persistent efforts, we as feminist scholars/clinicians can work with organizations to effectively enact change to make campus environments safer for students.
- Written by Samantha D. Christopher
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