File spoon-archives/marxism-feminism.archive/marxism-feminism_1997/marxism-feminism.9711, message 9


From: zarembka-AT-acsu.buffalo.edu
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 20:10:34 EST
Subject: M-FEM: Attack on New Paltz Women Studies Conference (fwd)


Addressed to: marxism-feminism-AT-jefferson.village.virginia.edu
              Pen-L <pen-l-AT-galaxy.csuchico.edu>
              Marxism International <marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU>

Below is a description of an attack on a Women's Studies at SUNY New Paltz
orchestrated by the New York Governor and some members of SUNY Board of
Trustees. After that I reproduce my own FAX to give you an idea of what can
be said. Needless to say, I encourage your solidarity.  

Paul Zarembka

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 17:19:38 EST
From: susan lehrer <LEHRERS-AT-NPVM.NEWPALTZ.EDU>

As you may have read, our recent women's studies conference ("Revolting
Behavior:  Challenges of Women's Sexual Freedom") has drawn a rightwing
attack, starting with a piece in the Wall St. Journal (opinion, Roger
Kimball).  This is part of a larger attack on SUNY as a public
university, and on our college president, Roger Bowen, and women's
studies specifically.  The controversial nature of some workshops has
drawn their ire, demonstrating what we'd said in our conference
brochure, "Women's sexuality has been the focus of attack on women's
autonomy & expression while women are challenging traditional
limitations and restrictions." We need support - for the principle of
academic freedom, and the value of women's studies also.  You can send
letters (or fax) to:  Thomas Egan, Chairman, SUNY Bd. of Trustees, 41
Biltmore AVe., Rye, NY 10580, or fax: 518-443-5159.  He has been
entrusted by  Governor Pataki, a rightwing republican, to do an
'investigation' into this misuse of taxpayer money.  Also, write
Chancellor John Ryan, State University Plaza, Albany NY 12246 - 0001.
His fax is : 518-443-5360.
Please send us a copy at Women's Studies Program, SUNY New Paltz, 75
S. Mannheim Blvd., New Paltz, NY 12561, or fax:  914-257-2798.  I am
including an explanation of the conference, our decisions, and the
workshops.  Thanks!  Susan Lehrer, Coordinator, W.S. Program.
 The Conference:
The 21st Women's Studies Conference held at the State University
of New York at New Paltz last weekend was an effort to engage in
inquiry and discussion about the multiple dimensions of women's
sexual experience in the 1990's. Recognizing that the idea of
women as sexual actors has often been threatening, in a play on
words, we entitled our conference, "Revolting Behavior:  The
Challenges of Women's Sexual Freedom."
     The keynote program,  funded entirely by non-tax supported
dollars of the New Paltz Foundation, engaged the topic through
international, historical and personal perspectives. All three
panelist are well respected in their fields. Their presentations
described the obstacles women have encountered as they have tried
to live self determined sexual lives and feminist efforts to
articulate the concept of sexual rights in the international arena.

     Twenty-one workshops were planned, generated by a call for
proposals that was sent out to women's organizations and via the
internet during the summer,and by a program committee consisting of
faculty, students and community members that met through the
summer. We selected workshops from our call for proposals and
developed some of our own. Workshops presenters were not paid but
were able to attend the conference free.
     The workshop on s/m was suggested by students working on the
committee and generated considerable controversy within the
planning group since many of us felt s/m was inconsistent with
feminist ideals of egalitarian relationships. After many hours of
discussion the program committee decided that since women are
engaging in this practice, it was appropriate to offer an
educational workshop in which the presenters were committed to
safety and consensuality. A discussion took place
immediately after the workshop which addressed the implications
of s/m and included critical perspectives of the practice.
     Our conferences always attract a diverse audience, including
students, faculty and community members so we plan a program that
combiner academic presentations with workshops that address
practical concerns. While some panels included academic papers on
public policy, literature and the discourse of reform movements,
others explained safer sex practices and still others included
women discussing their own experiences such as "Reproductive
Rights and Sexual freedom," and "Challenging Compulsory
Heterosexuality from the 60's to the 90's," two workshops that
looked at the effect of changing political and social conditions
on women's consciousness. Reaction from those attending the "Sex,
Power & Freedom - Interactive Workshop" done by the Playback
theater, found it "very engaging and thought-provoking;" of the
"Sex toys for women" workshop, "very informative. A very
sensitive subject treated respectfully and thoroughly." The
session on marriage & Sexuality in Africa "opened new horizons to
me - about different women's experiences."
     The conference was an educational event in which
participants learned about a variety of topics and engaged in
discussion and debate about the political and cultural context in
which women make sexual choices in the 1990's. Sex educators
recognize that open discussion about sexuality is essential in
order for women to make informed choices about their lives. We
are appalled that anyone should see this inconsistent with the
mission of an educational institution and fully support college
president Roger Bowen's principled stand in favor of academic
freedom.

Susan Lehrer, lehrers-AT-npvm.newpaltz.edu   SUNY - New Paltz

__________________
  
                                        November 11, 1997
  
Thomas Egan, Chair
SUNY Board of Trustees
41 Biltmore AVe.
Rye, NY 10580
fax: 518-443-5159.
  
Chancellor John Ryan
State University Plaza
Albany NY 12246 - 0001
fax: 518-443-5360.
  
Dear Chair Egan and Chancellor Ryan:
  
The attacks on the Women's Studies Conference at New Paltz ("Revolting
Behavior: Challenges of Women's Sexual Freedom") which I have read are
completely unjustified attacks on academic freedom and women's studies
particularly.   Acceptance of such attacks would help destroy SUNY as a
leading institution of higher education in this state.
  
I would see your role in such circumstances, and for this episode in
particular, to carefully explain what academic freedom represents and why it
is important to an informed society. Your role is also to explain the
importance of women's studies to those who question it, and to give the New
Paltz program its full support.
  
New Paltz's Women's Studies Program is an important part of the SUNY
educational opportunities offered to the citizens of this state.  Please
help to preserve and build it, while being aware that there are destructive
forces in our society which need to be opposed.  Please also defend academic
freedom with all your energy.
  
Thank you for your attention.
  
Sincerely yours,
  
  
  
Paul Zarembka
Grievance Officer for Academics
UUP, SUNY at Buffalo
  
**************************************************************************
Paul Zarembka, using OS/2 & supporting CRITICAL COMMENTARY ON UUP CONTRACT 
at http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/PZarembka/UUP.htm  
***************************************************************** 11/11/97




cc: lehrers-AT-npvm.newpaltz.edu


   

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