Disorientation Disgust

Itıs pretty hard to believe how insultingly degrading some Oberlin students can be, but if the events of last weekıs Disorientation party with the white t-shirt and water balloon wet dreams of some of its planners are any sign, this is going to be a depressing year.

Numerous rumors and denials have sprung up over the past week regarding the events of the party; specifically regarding a fight which broke out. Many of these have dealt with whether or not the fight -- which allegedly involved Oberlin students on one side, and town residents on the other -- was a sign of greater tension between the town and the College. Strangely, however, the soaking at the root of the whole situation has been pushed to the side.

This is rather worrisome. Although a fight is definitely worrisome in and of itself, not to mention the much more concerning possibility of heightened tensions between the College and the town; it is absolutely despicable how it began, even if no fists had flown. In all honesty, it is quite sad.

Advertisements for the party offered a discount for people who wore white. Of course, none of the posters said the intention was to pummel those who did so with water-balloons, and those who devised the plan didnıt bother to tell the other people who were putting on the party (with four houses involved there were quite a few). Still, it probably does not need to be said what happens when white cloth gets wet, and itıs sad that those who had this idea did not reveal their juvenile intentions to the rest of the hosts, let alone the guests.

This is depressing because one would think that this sort of behavior was left behind in high school, and thatıs not even to mention the fact that this party was organized by people years out of high school. Actually, letıs go back a few steps; Itıs not even appropriate for high school students.

Flirtation and a sexual atmosphere can be entertaining aspects of a party, but only when itıs accepted and created by all parties involved. Had party-goers known why they were asked to wear white -- that there was going to be some sort of wet t-shirt show -- they could have decided whether or not they wanted to participate. When there are unsuspecting individuals going to a party with the simple intention to meet people and have fun, they should not be subjected to a violent, if not harmful, violation of their bodies. Their bodies. Their bodies to dress, undress, protect or expose. Their bodies to control. They are not there for desperate little boys to use to make their party more lively, unless they volunteer.

Granted, there were people involved in this party who probably didnıt know about, let alone support this barnyard plan. That still doesnıt excuse those who did. What impression has been given to the droves of new students at that party? How many of them might be thinking this kind of debasing behavior is accepted here, and even welcome?

Finally, what is the administration doing about this? Is it condemning the event and the students involved? Hopefully so. Too often complaints of sexual harassment are not addressed by the administration. Letıs hope that the newly revised sexual offense policy is a sign of a renewed commitment to dealing with this issue, and that the administration takes an active role in helping students deal with sexual harassment and assault.

Rules, Regulations, and Student Power

By now, most students are aware that changes have been made to Oberlinıs Rules and Regulations. Either they received the notice when they arrived that updates had been made, or the one yesterday explaining the new sexual offense policy, which is a major part of the updated Regs. Nevertheless, it seems a minority of students are aware of what the actual rules and regulations are. This is unfortunate, as knowledge of the regulations could be a powerful resource for students .

Perhaps the most important overlooked right in the regs book is the right to call referenda. How many students know that a referendum can be called by a petition signed by 100 students and presented to the senate? This is a powerful tool, as the results of a referendum called in this way must be considered by Student Senate and advisory councils.

Furthermore, a referendum such as this can bring about changes in the student senateıs constitution and membership. With a Student Senate often criticized for its inaction and ineffectiveness, and members whose legitimacy has been questioned in the past, itıs a surprise this tool has not been utilized to address these concerns .

In the regs book, the Senate is described as a "central governance organization for the student body," and endowed with the power to "appoint all student members of faculty, administrative and ad hoc committees and advisory Councils." The power of referenda should not be underestimated as a process in which students can affect this power when they are disappointed with the job Senate has done and wish to remain in control of the policies of this institution. Perhaps if more students were aware of this and other rights laid out in the Collegeıs regulations, more would take advantage of them and effect substantial change on this campus.

Some of the rules are widely known, such as the honor-code, the sexual offense policy, and regulations regarding major requirements, housing, dining, etc. Many of them are quite tedious to read and probably not of any immediate interest to the average student. However, it is astonishing how useful some of the regulations can be, and it would be wise for students to keep informed of regulations involving issues affecting them. Cracking Fussers open a few pages past the last of the phone numbers they are calling in a quixotic search for dates can reveal a wealth of useful information.