We, A.S. Womyn’s Commission, A.S. Queer Commission, End Fake Clinics, Take Back the Night, Voices for Planned Parenthood and The Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity Department, are extremely frustrated and disappointed with your decision on April 22, to not endorse the proposed fee increase for The Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity Department. In your reasoning you explained that a fee increase from $4.25 to $8.17 per student, per quarter, seemed “extraneous” and that the current fee “already provides adequate funding.” Furthermore you claimed that, “increasing student employment, expanding community outreach programs and maintaining up-to-date libraries and lounge areas do not seem like the best use for student funds,” and added, “especially in light of recent tuition increases and student budget constraints.” It is our view that student employment, community outreach, libraries and spaces to study and feel safe, are indeed crucially important especially in times when other services and opportunities are being reduced. Therefore, allow us to explain to you, in more depth than your journalists were capable of, the importance of the WGSE department, the organizations that cooperate with and rely on the WGSE department, and most importantly the necessity of these spaces in the UCSB and Isla Vista community.
First let’s begin by addressing what exactly the WGSE department offers to this campus. Aside from a library and conference room available for student organizations, that you made sure to highlight on both articles printed on April 17 and April 22, the WGSE department does much more with its far from “adequate” funding. They are responsible for CARE (Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education); Sexual Harassment Prevention Education Program; the Non-Traditional Student Resource Center; the Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity; quarterly program offerings and support groups. In other words, a SAFE SPACE. Moreover, they work with many organizations on campus such as: PAVE, Men Against Rape, A.S. Womyn’s Commission, Take Back the Night, VOX- Voices for Planned Parenthood, Women’s Ensemble Theater Troupe, Women in Science and Engineering, Student Veterans Organization, Queer Student Union and A.S. Queer Commission. WGSE provides safe spaces and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. They also provide LGBTQIA resources as well as resources for non-traditional students (student parents, veterans). Additionally, WGSE is adding a new advocacy fund. In the past, survivors would have to pay for protective orders and other fees on their own, and this new advocacy fund would allow WGSE to help pay for those costs. The WGSE department is essential to these groups and individuals for funding, support and advocacy.
Your refusal to endorse a fee increase that is much needed and you labeled as “extraneous,” was particularly outrageous considering the community WGSE serves. Knowing the high prevalence of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, hate crimes, homophobia, gender discrimination, among other issues that occur on this campus and in Isla Vista, common sense dictates anyone to think critically about this center and what it offers to this campus. Your decision against this fee is emblematic of how disregarded these, unfortunately very common, issues are at UCSB. We invite you to step into the WGSE center, where increased funds are a necessity, to educate your paper and properly research everything that the center has to offer. We recognize your influence on this campus and urge you to use it responsibly; do not belittle safe spaces as a luxury, strive for more than “adequacy.”
The above letter was written collaboratively by: A.S. Womyn’s Commission, A.S. Queer Commission, End Fake Clinics, Take Back the Night, Voices for Planned Parenthood and the Women, Gender, and Sexual Equity Department.
A version of this letter appeared on page 16 of the April 25, 2013 print edition of the Nexus. A response from the Nexus appeared below.
Views expressed on the Opinion page do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Nexus or UCSB. Opinions are submitted primarily by students.
But not a single safe space is funded for men, for men’s rights, for violence against men, for rape of men, or for supporting heterosexual males. Looks like the National Coalition for Men needs to visit UCSB. It’s also important to remember that gender-feminism is a anti-male hate movement which should not be funded by taxing the very people who are targets of that hate.
Did…did we jus become best friends?
None of those organizations exclude men’s rights or say that rape and violence against men doesn’t occur. Perhaps the women in science and engineering is gender specific, but perhaps if you paid us more than 68 cent for your dollar with the same educational background/responsibilities these groups wouldn’t exist. Less than 10 years ago there were floors in the UCSB engineering department that had 2 mens bathrooms and no womens bathrooms… can you imagine? How about whites only bathrooms? As if women are second class citizens despite comprising over 50% of the population. That is why there are these advocacy… Read more »
The pay gap is a myth, my friend. Women on average do earn less than men on average, but that’s not for the same work with the same responsibilities. It has to do with men and women making different choices about the balance between career and family. As for bathrooms… Honestly, I’m in favor of unisex bathrooms, but a lot of women aren’t. (In fact, that was one thing that the anti ERA people fear-mongered about back in the 70s, along with women having to sign up for the draft.) I think it’s a good idea to address the issues… Read more »
http://www.cracked.com/funny-8503-mens-rights/
And now we see the nastier side of feminism coming out.
Only nasty thing here was your bs statements with no evidence to back it up. Women are paid less due to workforce choices? Numerous studies still show a significant discrepancy even when that is controlled for. Life tip: your weak assumptions and random personal anecdotes does not represent the reality for 99% of the population, especially those not so privileged as to live in your paid-for shoes or country. Maybe think a little instead of parroting vague ideas from an old professor or Glen Beck
I’m actually “parroting” Dr. Warren Farrell, who wrote the book “Why Men Earn More.” I suggest you read it. Or show me the studies which show that women earn less for equal work. (If that was true, why wouldn’t companies only hire women?)
None of those organizations exclude men’s rights or say that rape and violence against men doesn’t occur. Perhaps the women in science and engineering is gender specific, but perhaps if you paid us more than 68 cent for your dollar with the same educational background/responsibilities these groups wouldn’t exist. Less than 10 years ago there were floors in the UCSB engineering department that had 2 mens bathrooms and no womens bathrooms… can you imagine? How about whites only bathrooms? As if women are second class citizens despite comprising over 50% of the population. That is why there are these advocacy… Read more »