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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