In 2007 there was controversy caused by themes for frat parties. One of the frats made the choice to hang banners in Cowan Dining Hall to advertise for their party that weekend. The two party themes that were in question were “Shipwrecked Party: She’s Going Down and We’re All Getting Off” and “Donut Party: You Provide the Holes We Provide the Cream Filling.” These banners were considered lewd by many, mostly female, students. After complaints were filed by various students Centre administration stepped in and forced the men of the fraternities to take down the banners and apologize. The fraternities retaliated claiming their free speech was being violated. This sparked many conversations about what students can and cannot say in the context of gender dynamics. Happening only 10 years ago, these conversations continue on campus today.

In an interview with Emily Greenwell ‘17, 2016-2017 President of Centre’s Feminist Club, she talks about issues that she sees on campus today and ways that Centre Feminists is working on addressing those issues.

“What kinds of events does Centre Feminists hold each year?”

As emily explains they host a variety of events that are relevant to issues on campus now. For clarification, the program Yik Yak that she mentioned is an anonymous social media site where students of a particular college could post their opinions for other students to read. The events that Centre Feminists hold each year are not the only events that address issues regarding women. In 2013 the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and PanHellenic Council (PHC) sponsored a Walk-a-Mile in Her Shoes Event. This event was devised to address power-based violence by having participants walk a mile in red high heels to think about the hardships women, and men, face following a sexual assault. In an article written for the Cento about the event, the question is raised if this issue is relevant on Centre’s campus as the annual Security and Fire Report for 2013  recorded no instances of sexual violence on campus. However as Sarah Cramer ‘13, PHC President for that year, pointed out

“one in four college-aged women are survivors of sexual assault, power-based violence is relevant on every campus, and Centre is no exception. Most survivors do not come forward about these crimes because Centre is such a tight knit community, creating a culture of silence.”

Since that event was held in 2013, four instances of sexual assault, three instances of unwanted fondling, and nine instances of rape have been recorded on campus. From those records it is clear that theses issues are extremely relevant on campus.  

Another event that called attention to issues of gender discrimination was productions of The Vagina Monologues in 2014 and 2016. The Vagina Monologues, first performed in 1996, has been integral to the feminist movement. In productions of the play women share real stories of sexual harassment, violence, and gender discrimination. Co-director of the 2014 production Anna Ellis 14’ explained the events  ​purpose as

“to make it safer for women to be out on their own at night without having to worry that they’ll be raped; it’s to show people that women as a whole are a powerhouse; it’s to teach this campus that treating women well, like humans deserve to be treated, is no longer an optional thing.”

Productions of The Vagina Monologues are held every two years to keep the conversation alive on campus regarding these issues.

Emily continues in her interview talking about issues on campus today.

Do you think there is a problem with gender discrimination on campus?

This issues raised by Emily are not the only issues of discrimination on campus. In the fall term of 2016 the sorority Delta Delta Delta wanted to host a party in the Combs Warehouse with the goal of creating an "event with sisterhood, panhellenism, and philanthropy all in one party." However, because the woman of TriDelta wanted to host a party on campus they were required to have sober monitors, students who monitor the party and keep attendees safe. The women were told that the sober monitors had to be male fraternity members because they were not physically capable of being assertive in the same manner the men could. This resulted in many women getting upset because as noted in the article “their [the monitor's] duties revolve more around assisting partygoers who become too inebriated–a duty that women and men can certainly accomplish equally.” This controversy sparked conversations on campus regarding double standards for men and women students.

However, things are looking upward for institutional changes when it comes to policy regarding women.  For the first time in seven years the Student Government Association (SGA) was lead by a female president for the school year of 2016-2017. Additionally, Kirby Fitzpatrick ‘18 was elected to serve as the president of SGA. This is in contrast to the 2014 year where, as an article on female leadership notes, “Of the 34 members of SGA, only 11 of the 24 class representatives and four of the ten executive officers are women.” As representation increases the likelihood of conversations regarding gender discrimination and sexism on campus increases as well. With conversations comes change, which Centre could use.