GF Re-introduces Discussion of Campus Bondage Group

The General Faculty met Tuesday to discuss the student charter for SECURE (Students Exploring Consent and Understanding Regarding Equity), formerly BDSM. This was the only item on the agenda, yet the discussion lasted for almost two hours and often became a heated debate. At the heart of the matter were concerns over the effects an approval or disapproval of the charter would have on the College, in terms of its reputation and academic environment, and the standards used in judging a student group as stipulated by the policies and historic precedence of Oberlin.

"Oberlin's values are to stand up for any groups' right to speech," said Politics professor Ron Kahn. He pointed out that SECURE had met all of the requirements of a group as set up by the College's policy on student charters. Kahn acknowledged the risk of liabilities and damage to the school's reputation the charter may entail, but said, "When a group is chartered, this does not mean support."

Concern for the College's reputation was especially voiced by Economics Professor Gregory Hess who worried about the "tremendous damage" the charter would bring to the College. Professor of African American Studies James Millette agreed that the true issue was the possible damage to the reputation of the institution.

But some felt that the issue should be decided like any other charter. "We can and should debate this without any regard to dollar signs," said Politics and East Asian Studies Professor Mark Blecher.

Most faculty members who spoke against the charter believed the issue was neither one of freedom of speech nor damage to the institution, but the possibility that an approval of the charter would result in a loss of standards and values within the college. History Professor Steve Volk summed up the debate, saying, "On one side, there is unmitigated right to freedom of speech... and on the other is a question of very broadly construed community standards. We do have the right and obligation to set our own standards."

"We do have values at Oberlin College," said Physics Professor John Scofield citing the Hate Speech legislation within the Rules and Regulations. "I don't want to lend the name and resources of Oberlin College in pursuit of [SECURE's] goal," he said.

SECURE's proposal states, "Activities will be limited to discussions, videos, guest speakers, literature, and will exclude demonstrations and play parties of any kind." The charter had included such activities previously, but they were removed at the urging of some faculty members. Scofield then wondered, "What other group at Oberlin College do we handcuff and say you may talk and not act?"

The issue of the group's activities remained hotly contested. Economics Professor Bob Piron noted the change of the group's name, calling it "deceiving" and wondering "why isn't bondage and sadomasochism in the name of this group?" Sophomore senator Kate Davoli explained that the group "felt it was a hindrance to the club to have a name which may have negative effects on the College," and said students can be educated about the new name on campus.

Blecher raised questions about the psychological aspects of bondage and sadomasochism as dangerous or unhealthy behavior, saying, "As long as there is professional thought that it is very wrong, I cannot vote on the this." He went on to say that he was not accusing any members of SECURE of any psychological problems, but insisted that more must be known about bondage and sadomasochism before the charter should pass.

Junior senator Katherine Roberts countered by referencing the outdated psychological opinion of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Senator Aaron Leavy, a junior, questioned the consistency and integrity of Oberlin's administration. Leavy asked why SECURE's charter could be so contested in the weeks following such controversial events as Drag Ball and the lecture by Annie Sprinkle. A refusal of the charter would "unfairly privilege certain types of speech," he argued. Contradictions in content are abundant in Oberlin groups, he maintained, citing the Zionists and the Free Palestine organizations. And for the faculty members who wondered why SECURE needed a charter, he stated that its issue would best be served in a public safe space, and that a non-chartered group has difficulty procuring a room in Wilder.

The main contingent of faculty supporters for the charter worried that disapproval would strain their pedagogic freedom. Expository Writing Professor Jan Cooper wondered if her "freedom to choose material for classes is under suspicion." Cooper currently teaches a course on Lesbian issues, and another which used videos of a contextualized lynching. "I want to believe," she said, "that there's nothing that can't be scrutinized in discussion." She cited colleagues at other universities who were forced by state officials to change their curriculum. Classics Professor Jennifer Lynn, teaching a private reading on Greek pederasty, asked half-seriously if she was supposed to meet in the Java Zone. The entire faculty agreed that whatever the outcome of the charter, they supported each other's professional freedom.

Finally, Sociology Professor Bill Norris, currently teaching a class on sexuality that includes a week on BDSM, referred to a list of similar groups existing all over the country. "This is an increasingly important intellectual issue," he asserted.

A motion was passed to table the charter until the next General Faculty meeting.