EDITORIAL

Are Cabrini's women being "harassed?

•, Sexual harassment is a term that is defined on an individual basis, although there are set regulations and guidelines which alert those in authority when some form of sexual assault or violation is occurring or has taken place. We are aware that accusing another individual or a group of individuals of sexual harassment is a controversial and highly debated issue that should be discussed with caution. However, it is also an issue that should not be ignored.

It has been brought to our attention that at the legal party held on Saturday, November 6, many females who attended the party felt that they were sexually harassed by Valley Forge Military Academy students, according to their own definitions of sexual harassment. There were verbal reports of aggressive behavior, inappropriate and excessive touching, and unwanted sexual advances. Although we do not know whether or not these accounts are indeed factual or should be termed as sexual harassment, reports of this type of behavior have forced us to question the issue itself as well as the safety of our college community.

According to Cabrini College's student handbook, examples of sexual harassment do include unwanted and unnecessary physical conduct such as pinching, patting, or touching as well as unwanted sexual advances or propositions. Students who feel they have been victims of sexual harassment are urged to contact the vice president of academic affairs, the dean of students, the director of resident life, or the director of human resources. We find it disturbing that we are not advised to contact public safety who is our most accessible resource. Are they not trained to handle issues such as sexual harassment? How thorough is the public safety training process? What policies have been implemented in order to protect our com-. munity from outsiders? In order to ensure the comfort and security of our community, we challenge the college to give us a detailed report of what the public safety training process entails and if the college plans to take action on the issue in question.

Come on and let the kids be kids

As I drove a friend of the family's little girl home from soccer practice one JANICE FUNK day la st month, I listened to her chatter and gossip from the backseat. Her talk centered mostly around her recent birthday party, and the presents she had received.

As she rambled on about each present, I found myself joining in on the talk about love bead curtains, new jeans and sparkly nail polish. As she moved on to other important topics, such as Britney Spears' upcoming album, I suddenly found myself wondering how it was that I was able to relate to a 10-yearold's penchant for glitter and cute shirts.

Now here's really something to think about. In recent years, has anyone else noticed the trends that have risen among high school and college-aged girls? It's doubtless that we have. Think about the trends in clothing, accessories, and even music. The most popular trends have all been slightly juvenile in nature-think butterfly barrettes, baby tees and blow-up furniture. These are all fun-inspired items which are a refreshing change from the grunge days.

But strangely enough, the same trends are prevalent in elementary and middle schools. I can't think of a time when a trend managed to span so many age groups of American girls. And there's nothing wrong with this, right?

Wrong. Because just as little girls are mimicking older girls' affinity for cute tees 0<>PS!

•In issue 9 we spelled Matt Fern's name incorrectly.

•We also misspelled Toni Pirrone.

•We spelled Gwynned Mercy incorrectly.

•And we misspelled Lisa Silfies.

We're awfully sorry for all of our mistakes!

and headbands, they're also picking up a taste for halter tops and other such clothing. The trends show no breaking point at which "little girls' clothes" become "big girls' clothes."

Today, children are left so little time to enjoy their childhood. I think the most traumatic thing I ever saw on television was the episode of "Sesame Street" when Mr. Hooper passed away. Now, kids come home from school to find news flashes with footage of high schoolers jumping out of school windows to flee gunmen.

You can argue that with school violence and other problems facing kids, parents have little time or interest in worrying about what their child is wearing to school. But the first thing a child does in the morning is get dressed for a new day at school. They then leave home to find a world with adult messages of sex, violence, and hate.

Children come home to find shows like "Dawson's Creek," where high school students look and act much older than they are. Children are not yet equipped to deal with the situations they encounter on television, but we give them a "do or die" ultimatum; they have to learn about sex and other topics because that's all that we give them to watch, whether they are ready or not.

Kids forget that they are kids, because we leave no room for childhood. But if we could start preserving childhood by monitoring clothing, television and other habits and interests, maybe we can help children find innocence again.

Janice Funk is the managing editor of Loquitur. She hasn't gotten over Mr. Hooper's passing yet. You know, these things take time.

Help