Read about 'Nova's compliance with Title (X ViLLANOVAN See page 18. No. Vol. 70, VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY, VILLANOVA. PA. October?, 1994 Racism panel spurs University awareness By DANINE ALATI Dave Greason began the discus- Staff Reporter sion by recounting an instance during his sophomore year when "I'm not a racist. I have friends he was physically assaulted by a from minority groups, so I am not white student because he was a racist!" Although statements taking too long using the hall similar to this one are often used phone. Ron Wilson encountered to justify racist remarks, these racism in the classroom when he excuses were refuted at a panel had to defend himself and his discussion on racism sponsored culture to a professor who by the International Coalition denounced the black community. Against Racism (INCAR) and Huynh said that it is very Student Government Association difficult for one who has never (SGA). (Continued on page 2) A group of eight students repre- senting various races spoke at a forum aimed at combating racism on campus Wednesday, Oct. 5 in Feminist the Belle Air Terrace. Mai H. Huynh of the Asian Student Asosciation (ASA), Ron Wilson of perceptions PHOTO BY SHARON GRIFFIN the Black Cultural Society (BCS), The Collegiate Health and Fitness Tour, sponsored by the Campus Activities Team (CAT), visited Melissa Kohn of theJewish aware- the University. Students participated in numerous events including rock climbing and bungee ness organization (HILLEL), Sne- explored jumping. ha Patel of the South Asian Cultural Society (SAMOSA), Stu- dent Government Association By KATE SZUMANSKI Vice President Dave Greason of Editor-in-Chief i*: Strives for gender equity 'Nova the Minority Students' Leag^ie, Fernando Rovira representing A panel discussion sponsored by By SEAN KELLY that all institutions match their to DeFilippo, to start dropping and Hispanic-Americans, and Lauren the Women's Studies Program Sports Editor male and female athletics partic- adding entire sports programs like Esslinger representing European- and the Villanova Feminist Coa- IS ipation rate with their ratios in many of the nation's schools have Americans constituted the panel, lition (VFC) titled, "What is The University^!s_jAthletic overall enrollment. Scholarships done over the last few years in an while My Padmalingam of INCJ^ Feminism? Why does it scare Department launched a five-year- must also begiven in substantially effort to conform to Title IX acted as the mediator. Each stu- you?," was held Wednesday, Oct. plan this fall that will enhance equal total amounts. Villanova's legislation. Nevertheless, the 50/ dent shared his/her own personal 5 in Tolentine Hall Room 215 to gender equity in athletics on this enrollment is very close to an 50 ratio needed to be met with experience with racism at the explore the varying definitions campus. equal ratio; therefore, the athletic regards to participation and u^^iversity, and the audience and perceptions of feminism as Three major adjustments to participation rate must be 50 rouffhlv $750 000 or 17 scholar- interacted with ques- well as the stereotypes and myths ou;£, „L^ « J^^ frv «^f fv,.. «^o«f comments, ,. .• Wildcat athletics will be taken percent male and 50 percent ships^ were needed to eget the 6grant u i. ^iQ^g jnjj suggestions on how to associated with feminism. that include moving scholarships female. (Continued on page 1 8) improve race relations. Co-chair of the VFC, Kelly from men's programs to women's "The first thing we have to Beissel, introduced the panelists programs, placing a participation realize is that gender equity is not and outlined the goals of the of the men's programs only an issue at Villanova," said cap on some evening's discussion. Panel increasing the number of Defilippo, "Rather, it's something and members included Dr. Seth Kov- women's sports programs at the that most every school in the en, history professor; Dr. Barbara varsity level, said Gene DeFilippo, country is facing right now," he E. Wall, O.P., director of the director of Athletics. added. Center for Peace and Justice These refinements are evident The University's decision not to Education and philosophy profes- in men's swimming which is hesitate any longer in enhancing sor; Dr. Gaile Pohlhaus, religious moving from a scholarship pro- gender equity was made, in part, studies professor; Dr. Cheryl gram to a non-scholarship pro- as an effort to avoid any possible Asher, economics professor; Dr. gram, ice hockey and men's water legal problems in the future Carol Anthony, philosophy profes- polo which are moving from the involving Title IX, said Defilippo. sor and the VFC advisor; and Dr. the club level and Resolving this issue is what varsity level to Sally Scholz, philosophy crew and water polo DeFilippo and other members of women's professor. which are moving from the club his 10 person gender equity advi- Feminism does not conform to level to the varsity level, said sory committee are certain is the a fixed definition, said Beissel. DeFilippo. fair thing to do for the women Therefore, it is highly personal The Title DC legislation act that athletes on this campus, DeFilippo and fluid in nature. The night's gained increasing attention during said. discussion was designed to dispel the late 1970's was originally "Gene and this athletic depart- the many myths and stereotypes formulated to secure equal oppor- ment are trying to be p?:o-active associated with feminism, she tunity for female athletes. In 1972, so that don't wait for legisla- we added. the Supreme Court decided in tion to force us to do something After Beissel concluded her the Grove City case that any or we don't wait for the courts to opening remarks, the panelists institution receiving federal aid force us to do something," said briefly presented their personal must offer equal opportunities for Senior Associate Athletic Direc- views and interpretations of fem- female athletes. tor, John Bostick. "We're doing inism. A question and answer 1972 decision by the what we see as best for the The session followed the panelists' Court left too much institution at this time." Supreme presentations. for varying interpretations. "We wanted to be pro-active room "Students often say, 'Well, I'm private institutions oper- and do what was right," said Because .,' " not a feminist, but . said independent from the federal DeFilippo. "We believe that we ate Koven in his opening remarks. government, they mistakenly need to be fair; fair with regard Being feminist is not shameful; that they were able to to participation and opportunity assumed yet many students at the Univer- avoid conforming to the guidelines for women's athletes." sity, perhaps even more than at subsequent years. The result of all of this was the of Title DC. In other colleges and universities lawsuits filed Athletic Department's decision to the number of across the country, are ashamed universities not complying conduct a year-long study on against to be feminist, he said. regulations Villanova concerning where the with Title IX Gradually, feminism became dramatically. institution is presently, where it increased defined as anti-family and anti- number of has been and where it wants to By 1992 a startling children. Feminism was consi- against be five years from now, said court decisions ruling dered an "anti-human way women violations Defilippo. universities for Title DC gain power at the expense of social "In that time we were very sparked a tremendous interest on good," said Koven. conscious of being fair to the PHOTO BY SHARON GRIFFIN the part of the NCAA to resolve Feminists, however, have seen student athletes enrolled here at Pi its annual Rubber Duckie race which benefitted the gender equity issue. Beta Theta hosted the family as a key sight for the present time," said Defilippo. the Cerebral Palsy Association of Delaware County. The race took According to the legal cases that identity and growth throughout Oct. l in the Quad have transpired over the last few It did not seem plausible, while place (Continued on page 2) years, the courts are demanding at the same time fair, according -f^i: October 7, 1994 • THE VILLANOVAN •Page 3 Pab> 2 •THE VILLANOVAN • October 7; 1994 H HIS WEEK Beyond the Main Line Feminist perceptions Fall break service Compiled by Kathleen Cooney pals were "expelled" from their Wall focused on the Editorials /. 9 (Continued from page 1) spirituality Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer schools in this black township informs feminism. history, Koven said. Feminists that "The trips assist needy of teachers are Sports 14 by a coalition angry realized "the structure of private feminism we struggling to PORT-AU-PRINCE. Haiti and militant students. of bring about in terms of a new Chappell, O.S.A. from OCUpc •••••••••••^X life was linked to the structure By SHEILA CONOLLY Rev. Art — American military patrols Offering no proof, the mob order make[s] it social life." world possible for Staff Reporter the department of Religious Stu- rolled through Haiti's capital acqused the principals of steal- iden- with area mission- Features 24 Feminists more properly (Continued on page 4) dies, will work searching for weapons at a ing school supplies — a charge tify women as seeking to create While most students are head- aries providing home repair and Who Knows, border outpost and hundreds least one prin- they deny. At worlds within their own images, ing home for a relaxing semester service work. While in Glenmary, more at a paramilitary training cipal was threatened with who cares 28 Koven said. "Feminists are so break, a select group of students the volunteers will stay in a large base.