Law profs object to racy satire

An article in the Law School's monthly student newspaper, intended as satire, exploded into a double controversy this week after a number of faculty members called for the resignation of the paper's 22 editorial staff members. Last Wednesday, the Penn Law Forum published a small article headlined "Top Ten Things Students Missed Seeing Associate Dean Heidi Hurd Do at the Faculty X-Mas Party," which included items described by faculty members as sexist and offensive. More than 100 students signed a letter two days later condemning the article and its anonymous author, according to Law School Dean Colin Diver. But faculty members took the issue one step further. The last sentence of a letter signed by more than 20 professors, including Diver, suggested that the Law Forum staff resign -- or at least "disavow" the article. Some Law students felt the letter was "unduly harsh," according to first-year Law student Jonathan Fox. "I think most students, including myself, are extremely supportive by saying they have the right to print it ? so as not to chill free speech," second-year Law student Phil Sivin said. But Diver said last night the letter was not meant as a threat to the editorial staff of the newspaper, and that faculty were suggesting, rather than forcing resignation. "We've tried to explain to people that it was not the intention -- certainly as dean I would never allow [censorship]," he said. The irony, according to Diver, is that Law School faculty have been overly supportive of free speech and newspapers in past years. "I would say it was an overreaction in the heat of the moment, and I think most of the faculty have come to realize that after reflection," Law School Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Gary Clinton said last night. Hurd, who has taught at the University since 1988 and is regarded by students as an "accomplished" professor, is the highest ranking female faculty member at the Law School. "She is one of the most highly respected members of the Law School community, she's an excellent teacher and excellent scholar," Clinton said. "She's somebody who really lives for that law school." But the article is particularly troubling, according to Diver, because its target has been attacked before. "Unfortunately, she has been a target of this kind of sexual humor in past years," he said. And the controversy comes at a particularly bad time for Law School women, according to Clinton. Last month, a study compiled by professor Lani Guinier concluded that men outperform women in law school -- and that women are not having positive experiences there. "It's especially of significance in light of the recent article," Sivin said. "A lot of people said [the satire] was just because she was a woman," Fox added. Law Forum Editor-in-Chief Magdalen Braden, a third-year Law student, sent letters of apology to both Hurd and Diver last week. Friday, the staff published a reprint of the paper without the original article. "I think the newspaper has behaved very commendably," Diver said. Despite calls for the anonymous author to apologize, editors have refused to release the person's name. "It was just over the line," said Fox. "I would have to bet that even his or her friends wouldn't think it was funny." Hurd and Braden were unavailable for comment last night.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.