Squirm posters removed in dorms, College Center

Anita Varma Senior Editor

Asya Magazinnik Guest Writer

Since the start of the school year, posters advertising Squirm meetings and events have been removed from the College Center and dorms. Squirm is a student-run publication that is printed annually, with submissions about sex and sexuality.

On Sept. 15, Squirm Literary Editor Kristy Lilas ’06 e-mailed members of the Vassar Students Association executive board. Two weeks later, at the Oct. 2 VSA Council meeting, Town Students representative Sophie Pickens ’06 brought up the issue for open discussion.

“It seems to be an attack against our name,” said Lilas after the VSA meeting. “

The first ones taken down were for our first meeting, which cut our turnout in half.”
At the Council meeting, Strong President Heidi Genrich ’08 said that one reason Squirm signs had been taken down in Strong was because of a concerned house fellow.

Strong House Fellow Dayle Rebelein was concerned about the suggestive posters hanging in the area around her first-floor apartment. She discussed the issue with her husband and with the House Team, and decided to remove certain posters in her immediate vicinity.

“We have an eleven-year-old son and he lives in the house,” said Rebelein. “It’s just not good for the family.”

Genrich echoed this sentiment. “I think it is reasonable for the House Fellows, as parents, to not want their children exposed to certain materials right outside their front door,” said Genrich.

Rebelein said there is a tacit agreement between students and House Fellows to confine more provocative materials to the upper floors.

“Both residents and organizations have understood in past years that the first floor is off limits to more R-rated materials in all dorms,” said Genrich. “This is not a policy, but it is a courtesy to the families that inhabit our dorms.”

Genrich added that this courtesy is not meant to hinder students’ freedom of speech at the College.

“Freedom of speech is a concern, and organizations should be able to advertise as they wish,” said Genrich. “I personally think organizations should have the freedom to choose their material—though they should not be surprised if some students have a negative reaction to it.”

Squirm’s mission statement reads, “Squirm lives and thrives in the gray, blurring boundaries, deconstructing assumptions and tracing the intricate contours of sex in all its forms and meanings.”

Rebelein explained her perspective on Squirm. “What does self-expression have to do with objectifying bodies?” she asked. “I support Squirm. I think allowing people to have a healthy sexuality is important, but porn is not the way to do it...The bottom line is, don’t put it in my space.”

However, VSA Secretary Laureen Cantwell ’06 pointed out that all the signs are being ripped down, not just ones with controversial graphics, nor are they solely being taken down in the dorms.
“Even the ones with only facial shots and text were being torn down,” said Cantwell. “It’s not the sexual content per se, but the organization which is being targeted. Which is concerning. It’s almost like having a conservative response to it.”

Lilas added that signs are being taken down in the College Center and on the path to the Town Houses. She noted that the reason for taking down the signs being that young children are around does not hold for the TH path.

Council members are taking the issue to their constituents this week, to try to find out more about the removal of posters in the dorms. “The VSA recommends that people leave the fliers up,” said Cantwell.

Lilas said that the editorial board of Squirm intends to attend the next Council meeting in order to talk about the issue further.

“Ideally, I’d like an all-campus e-mail from VSA saying ‘Hey, this is happening and whether or not you personally agree with it, [removing signs is] disrespectful and a breach of freedom of speech,’” said Lilas. “It just needs to be said that its not ok.”
Lilas and Cantwell said that while people may feel uncomfortable because of an organization’s existence, it is not appropriate for people to remove the signs themselves.

“When Christian fellowship posters go up with ideas that might be contrary to my lifestyle, I’m not going to rip them down,” said Lilas.

Genrich proposed establishing an open dialogue between organizations and concerned parties rather than silently removing offensive posters. “Feedback would be beneficial for both sides,” said Genrich. “[We should remember] that we share the common goal of building a community where everyone can both live comfortably and express themselves freely.”

Cantwell echoed Genrich’s idea, and said that both members of Squirm and people uncomfortable with the signs ought to be heard. “There’s always going to be something that toes the line or crosses the line,” said Cantwell. “We’re going to have to figure out a way for people who feel uncomfortable to feel more comfortable, and for people who are experiencing limitations with advertising to regain some of that ground. It’s going to be a give and take from both sides.”