2008 Woodie Awards
Caucus condemns gang rape
Laura Bond
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: News
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Contrary to other news reports, the UTC Women's Faculty Caucus is proposing a resolution to condemn acquaintance gang rape, not a ban on group sex on campus.
Other news outlets previously reported the Women's Faculty Caucus wishes to ban group sex, but Lyn Miles, an anthropology professor and the group's co-chair, said the report was misconstrued.
"We are not opposing [consensual] group sex," she said. "We're not taking a position for or against it.
"But by no means are we trying to prohibit consensual sex," she continued. "We're trying to eliminate exploitation."
According to Miles, the resolution would condemn acquaintance gang rape.
Oralia Preble-Niemi, the foreign languages and literatures department head and the group's other co-chair, said the resolution would not ban anything and instead highlight those laws against acquaintance gang rape.
Shela Van Ness, a sociology professor and a member of the Women's Caucus, said it may cause people to think before they act if there were resolution against this behavior.
The student code of conduct states, "Lewd, obscene, indecent, or disorderly conduct on university-owned or -controlled property or at university-supervised functions," is a violation of the regulations governing student conduct. The code also states "the commission of or attempt or threat to commit rape" is another violation, whether it happens on or off campus. The disciplinary actions and penalties for violating the code of conduct could include loss of privileges, community service, disciplinary reprimand, suspension or dismissal.
Miles said the group is not trying to restrict students.
"We're being supportive of students," she said. "The group is not telling students what to do sexually."
Van Ness said, "The real issue is where to draw the line of what is acceptable behavior for students who attend a public university."
"Nobody is dictating morality, [but] the university has to have some boundaries," she said.
Other news outlets previously reported the Women's Faculty Caucus wishes to ban group sex, but Lyn Miles, an anthropology professor and the group's co-chair, said the report was misconstrued.
"We are not opposing [consensual] group sex," she said. "We're not taking a position for or against it.
"But by no means are we trying to prohibit consensual sex," she continued. "We're trying to eliminate exploitation."
According to Miles, the resolution would condemn acquaintance gang rape.
Oralia Preble-Niemi, the foreign languages and literatures department head and the group's other co-chair, said the resolution would not ban anything and instead highlight those laws against acquaintance gang rape.
Shela Van Ness, a sociology professor and a member of the Women's Caucus, said it may cause people to think before they act if there were resolution against this behavior.
The student code of conduct states, "Lewd, obscene, indecent, or disorderly conduct on university-owned or -controlled property or at university-supervised functions," is a violation of the regulations governing student conduct. The code also states "the commission of or attempt or threat to commit rape" is another violation, whether it happens on or off campus. The disciplinary actions and penalties for violating the code of conduct could include loss of privileges, community service, disciplinary reprimand, suspension or dismissal.
Miles said the group is not trying to restrict students.
"We're being supportive of students," she said. "The group is not telling students what to do sexually."
Van Ness said, "The real issue is where to draw the line of what is acceptable behavior for students who attend a public university."
"Nobody is dictating morality, [but] the university has to have some boundaries," she said.
