Editor, the Gauntlet,
The group of women and men on campus working to re-establish the women's centre have recently become aware of some issues that have arisen with regard to the re-establishment of a women's centre at the University of Calgary. Many students are asking why a women's centre is necessary on our campus. We believe the crucial question to be asked is "why not a women's centre?"
There are many student services that are not entirely necessary on campus, however, they enhance the lives of students and their education. Some examples of these services are the Native Centre, the International Student Centre, the Chaplains' Centre, even the Students' Union itself is not a compulsory group for the operation of a university. However, we believe most students would agree that these services enrich the lives of students and the quality of their education. We believe a women's centre on campus would also enhance student's lives and education.
During the letter-signing campaign, some students felt our approach was invasive, we are very sorry that any students felt this way, this was not at all our intention. Our goal is to create a centre where all women feel welcome and appreciated. If we have offended anyone in asking them to sign a letter, we are truly sorry.
In light of this and other issues that have arisen, we would like to invite students with questions and concerns to a table in Mac Hall in the next few weeks, where we can discuss these issues in a respectful manner.
At this time we would also like to ask the students who oppose a women's centre "why not a women's centre at the U of C?" We hope this will help bring our campus community closer and clear the air so students can work together on this issue.
Comments
No one would dispute that students should not have to show that we do not need a Mulleted Ukranian Triad member's centre.
I think the "why not" is a fair question. After all, they are not asking for student money or funding in the form of levies. If there is a substantial group of individuals on campus who feel they would benifit from such a centre, and those individuals are willing to find the money on their own, then I find it difficult to see what there is to disagree about?
Please read carefully.
Note that I question one point of logical form in the course of their argument. Note also that I did not state either my agreement or disagreement with the conclusions of the letter. Note further that you may have less difficulty "see[ing] what there is to disagree about" (sic) if you enhance your English-parsing skills to exclude from your interpretation of the text what is not actually in the text.
The furor on e-mail, these and other discussions didn't tip you off to the issues?
Many students are asking why a women's centre is necessary on our campus. We believe the crucial question to be asked is "why not a women's centre?"
I believe the crucial question to be asked is "why are monkeys flying out of my ass?" but that doesn't make the question a valid argument for anything.
Before students invest their space in a women's centre, supporters must show that their cause is better than all the others that have been waiting for space for years. So far, I've seen nothing that makes the women's centre more deserving of space in MacEwan Hall than a prayer space or space for club offices, all of which enhance students' education in other ways.
There are many student services that are not entirely necessary on campus, however, they enhance the lives of students and their education. Some examples of these services are the Native Centre, the International Student Centre, the Chaplains' Centre,
You make a good argument for cutting some of these services.
even the Students' Union itself is not a compulsory group for the operation of a university.
It is if the university is to comply with the Universities Act...
However, we believe most students would agree
On what basis did you make that determination? A survey?
We believe a women's centre on campus would also enhance student's lives and education.
Are the other women's resource groups on campus and in Calgary inadequate?
During the letter-signing campaign, some students felt our approach was invasive,
The word you are looking for is "abrasive". Same reason why I didn't sign.
If we have offended anyone in asking them to sign a letter, we are truly sorry.
The nature of your campaign turned off many potential supporters long before the letter-signing thing. Many groups on campus now have policies in place to not publicly comment on the potential women's centre for that reason.
In light of this and other issues that have arisen, we would like to invite students with questions and concerns to a table in Mac Hall in the next few weeks, where we can discuss these issues in a respectful manner.
Hopefully in a manner more respectful than supporters showed on these forums.
At this time we would also like to ask the students who oppose a women's centre "why not a women's centre at the U of C?" We hope this will help bring our campus community closer and clear the air so students can work together on this issue.
Not all opponents of the women's centre are misogynists.
We believe a women's centre on campus would also enhance student's lives and education.
Throughout this entire debacle, the proponents of the centre have failed to answer one important counter-question -- How?
Space on campus is a resource just like cash; when resources are being allocated, those in charge have a responsability to solicit persuasive arguments for and against. "Why not?" may be an argument, but it is hardly a persuasive one.
Patrick