Women’s centers on U.S. campuses are not often the subjects of controversy, but the Center at Princeton University is right now. The editorial board of the student newspaper, the Daily Princetonian wrote that the campus Women’s Center “is neither as inclusive nor as effective as it could be,” and is “so politically homogeneous” in its choice of political programming that women who hold different opinions on contentious issues, like abortion or police relations, may opt out of involvement with the Center altogether.”
Furthermore, the editorial said, “By over-emphasizing issues related to sexuality at the expense of other valuable programming, the Women’s Center could harmfully reduce Princeton women to their bodies.” In the third full week of classes at the University, the center focused heavily on sex, including “Developing a Self-Pleasuring Practice,” “Yoga for Better Sex,” and “Sex with the Lights on” (three sessions) with “crass” publicity posters, the board said, asking “Where is the male g-spot?” and “Anal Is His Favorite Thing – What’s Yours?” In contrast, election-related events are rare. The Center held one this week, the first since December 15, 2014.
“The Women’s Center has a long history of hosting politically charged and overwhelmingly liberal events,” including such subjects as Black Lives Matter and “Battling Abortion Stigma.” “The Board said it “believes such events are important to host at Princeton, but …Politically diverse programming is essential to be inclusive of all female students and in the spirit of Princeton’s intellectually open environment.” It also urged the Center to reach out to and welcome male students, “a critical improvement, as men are invaluable partners in promoting gender equality.”
Some campus commentary on the controversy:
- Letter to the editor: In response to the Editorial Board’s recent publication, “Yes All Women’s Center”
- Letter from the Editor: On plurality of women*s narrative
- Women’s liberal agenda
Women’s centers highlight the arbitrary nature in which the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education enforces Title IX.
OCR has strangely interpreted Title IX to encompass sexual assault and transgender students.
Yet OCR has never challenged the sexually discriminatory nature of women’s centers, which clearly violates Title IX.