A member of UVM’s Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity recently sent a survey to his brothers, in which the final question listed was:
“If you could rape anyone who would it be?”
This egregious expression of rape culture is only the most recent example
of systemic sexism at UVM. The past year alone has witnessed rape, multiple sexual assaults, and anti-abortion chalking in public spaces. While the university administration has laid off long-time Women’s and Gender Studies faculty and supported sexist institutions like Sigma Phi Epsilon, it has refused to take concerted action to combat sexism and rape culture. We
demand that instead of diverting resources into vast salaries for its
administrators, UVM should launch an aggressive campaign against sexism and rape culture, and it should expand institutions such as Women’s and Gender Studies and the Women’s Center at UVM. Furthermore, UVM must immediately disband Sigma Phi Epsilon. An institution that discusses who it wants to rape has no place at UVM or in the Burlington community.
#OccupyVermont 
Thanks for calling this survey to everyone’s attention. The offending question is both an “egregious expression of rape culture” as well as humor (in very, very bad taste) that is probably protected under free speech laws. Even if this speech is protected, it’s worth denouncing and just generally making a stink about (again, per free speech). It was really a discussing joke to make, especially on a college campus.
I would not have lumped “anti-abortion chalking” in with “rape [and] multiple sexual assaults” as is done in the above text. Chalking is the expression of a viewpoint (and not all people who hold a pro-life viewpoint are male, mean people, or Right Wing haters. Expression of a viewpoint isn’t on par with rape and sexual assault. Grated, I didn’t read the chalking, and don’t know if it used threatening language, etc.
Further, I would not consider the expression of a pro-choice viewpoint to be, by definition, sexist. In a similar vein, I would disagree with those who consider anti-gay marriage viewpoints to be categorically homophobic and anti-Israeli viewpoints to be plainly indicative of anti-Semitism. But these are emotionally-charged issues that have been mired in partisan politics and the knee-jerk reactions of Left-Right dichotomy for generations.
Occupy, by rejecting the Left-Right dichotomy, is opening a door of discussion in which we’re increasingly able to discuss things like this more intelligently. Thanks for being a part of it. Solidarity.
I am raising three children in Vermont and I will NEVER ALLOW any of them to attend a college with a club or group that is allowed to behave in this way. TO BE VERY CLEAR – my 3 children will not be attending UVM. Two of them are men. In Vermont, we do not raise men to behave in this manner.
From: Thomas J. Gustafson, Vice President for Student and Campus Life
RE: Allegations regarding Sigma Phi Epsilon
The University of Vermont has received information regarding a survey allegedly created by and circulated among some members of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon and possibly others as well. The report indicated that the alleged survey contained language that is highly offensive and inappropriate. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, Student Life staff conducted preliminary fact finding, reported the situation to the fraternity’s national headquarters, and notified law enforcement. Sigma Phi Epsilon has been placed on interim suspension today as an investigation of legal and policy violations proceeds, the facts of the situation are uncovered, and an appropriate response can made in light of what is found. If you have any information about this situation, please contact UVM Police Services at 656-3473, http://www.uvm.edu/~police/.
We have heard from numerous students, faculty, and staff who are understandably concerned about this situation. If you need support, please contact the Counseling Center 656-3350, the Women’s Center 656-7892, and/or The Employee Assistance Program 656-2100.
This article – and indeed, this survey – expose many problems. The obvious one that many of us gravitate towards is in regards to the Greek system in general, the fraternity specifically, and most basically, the individuals who created and responded to the question on the survey regarding rape. This is an undeniably disgusting act. The greater question, however, is this: What type of society do we live in that college students think, even for a moment, that this would be socially acceptable? What kind of rape culture do we live in that someone would think to ask this question?
Studies show that 35% of college-age men would rape a woman if they knew they would never be caught (Fisher and Sloan, 1995). In a statement that spawned an international campaign against the practice of victim-blaming, Toronto police officer Michael Sanguinetti told a group of law students last year that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.”
This survey highlights a problem that is much more deeply rooted – it’s the fact that we live in a society that has already normalized rape – at least, when it comes to the perpetrators. In regards to the survivors, however – that’s a different story. Rape is a horrific act which immediately and indefinitely disrupts the life of the survivor. To make light of it in any regard is unforgiveable.
Pingback: “If you could rape anyone who would it be?” frat rape quiz : FedUp Vermont responds! « #OccupyVermont
Rape is Out of Control everywhere!! This barbaric act has got to stop please help me to find the way to put several rapist in jail !!! They walk free in my small community I know they are everywhere thinking its no big deal to RAPE our childen!!!
Pingback: “If you could rape anyone who would it be?” frat rape quiz : FedUp Vermont responds! | Occupy News