Letters to the Editor

Voice your opposition

To the Editor:

We have heard with dismay and astonishment that some students believe that part of the fun of the Hey Day celebration is greeting President Rodin with shouts of "Show us your tits." What is there to say about such a blatantly sexist, offensive and idiotic practice?

Presumably it is supposed to signal high-spirited rebelliousness. In fact, it is an aggressive assertion that any woman, no matter who she is or what she has accomplished, can be disrespected merely because she has a woman's body. Such misogynist bullying is as unacceptable as racist taunts would be.

Of course faculty disapproval is likely to encourage those who think hostile incivility is a sign of freedom from authority. But we hope students who don't want to be associated with this behavior -- surely a majority -- will speak up before and during Hey Day.

Penn students are creative, intelligent, and outspoken. This is the time to voice your opposition and make clear how shameful this behavior is.

Robin Leidner Sociology professor

This letter was co-signed by 37 other faculty members, including 21 other members of the Sociology Department.

Respectful tradition

To the Editor:

Each year at this time, there is a noticeable increase in the energy levels of the students on campus and of the smiles that stretch across their faces. College Green is packed with people reveling in these glorious April days.

Friday will mark the pinnacle of this energetic crescendo for the Junior Class: Hey Day. On this day, the Junior Class will feel a sense of complete euphoria and have an extra bounce to their step as they march through campus in triumphant style.

If anyone has ever needed an example of why there is no artificial substitute for the bliss felt from an emotional high, Hey Day is the one. It is a day unlike any other, and one you'll cherish for the rest of your life -- remember that it's tradition.

There will be no political debates and no fighting between Red Sox and Yankee fans. The juniors will be united with their classmates (ones they know, and even ones they don't) more than any other day in their life -- it's tradition. They'll eat and frolic on Hill Field with friends they haven't seen since freshman year -- it's tradition. They'll take a bite out of everyone's hat that they see -- it's tradition. They'll invent a new dance that involves their cane -- it's tradition. If they're shy, they'll come out of their shells -- it's tradition.

Juniors, you have toiled through three years of hard work and you have earned this day. It is one of the most memorable experiences this university offers you (anyone who's been through it will tell you the same thing.) However, it is up to you make it memorable for the right reasons.

Inappropriate and disrespectful chants recited by a small number of students do not make a tradition. Choosing to engage in this behavior would not be indicative of the good character of your peers or your school. When President Rodin officially declares you seniors and takes a bite out of your president's hat while you've packed College Green with smiles stretching across your face, arch your canes high and cheer them respectfully. It's tradition.

Billy Moore College '03 The writer is the president of the Senior Class.

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