Panels commemorate sit-ins, address issues

The lack of female representation in Locust Walk residences, male professors' attitudes towards their female graduate students and the "expendability" of administrative positions to which black women are often assigned, were several of the issues discussed at a series of panels held Saturday. The panels were part of a celebration of the 20th anniversary of an anti-rape sit-in during which protesters seized College Hall after a series of rapes on and near campus. Discussion included changes implemented in the women's community at the University since the sit-in and changes that still need to be made. In addition, key figures in the 1973 events were reunited. Faculty, undergraduate and graduate students and alumni, ranging from the class of 1968 to the class of 1991, all joined together to review the accomplishments of the Women's Center and Victim Support and Special Services, which were founded after the sit-in. Former security specialist Yvonne Haskins spoke of a time at the University in which an "illiterate police force" was led by an individual who referred to Haskins as a "tomato" when she was first hired and suggested to University women that they not wear "enticing clothing" in order to discourage rape. Today, Haskins said, University Police officers are more sensitive towards women, thanks to the efforts of Haskins, and former security specialists Jayne Rich, Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassell and former Victim Support Services Director Ruth Wells. But many obstacles to the equality of women at the University still exist, according to speakers at the reunion. Full professorships are still more frequently given to men just as prime housing space on Locust Walk is held by fraternities, they pointed out. The panelists and members of the audience came up with a list of ideas for radical improvements in the women's community. Some of the ideas took the shape of social protest. Microbiology Professor Helen Davies suggested that the seniors wear signs reading "Diversify the Walk" at commencement. Other ideas involved filing sexual harrassment lawsuits and the possibility of establishing a woman's hotline on PennInfo was also suggested. The women also discussed whether President Sheldon Hackney should be replaced by a woman, if he leaves the University to head the National Endowment for the Humanities as is widely rumored. "We cannot sneak up on liberation," panelist Jacqui Wade said. "We are at war."