2008 Woodie Awards
Pirate party spurs heated debate
Brian Fung
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
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Cook Commons found itself under fire from College community members last weekend after sponsoring a "Surrender Your Booty" party on Oct. 5 that included the screening of a pornographic film. An R-rated version of "Pirates," the highest-budget pornographic movie ever made, was initially selected to complement the party's swashbuckling theme, but the choice faced stiff criticism from Feminist Action at Middlebury (FAM) and Men Against Violence in the days leading up to the party.
"While we believe that it is a personal choice whether or not to watch pornography," wrote FAM President Kolbe Franklin '08 in an e-mail, "we do not feel that a social, school-sponsored party is an appropriate place to project this type of movie."
The Cook Commons Council, a student-run body, had raised the idea of a pirate-themed party at its first meeting of the year. But according to Commons Tri-chair H.Kay Merriman '10, because the Council held a vote on the potentially sensitive issue at the same meeting, the assembly had little time to inform students of its plans.
"We acknowledge the fact that we did not properly alert the Commons that this topic was going to be discussed," wrote Merriman in an e-mail. "In light of that, we reopened the discussion."
Because the Council functions democratically, all students belonging to Cook Commons are free to participate in Council meetings. Tri-chair Rachel Lincoln '08 emphasized that the decision to display "Pirates" was made by Cook students attending the first Council meeting and did not represent a unilateral move by the Commons Council.
"The difference may seem subtle," wrote Lincoln in an e-mail, "but it has huge differences in connotation."
Representatives from both FAM and Men Against Violence addressed the Cook Council at a subsequent meeting. Because only members of Cook Commons can vote in Council meetings, however, most members of the two organizations were unable to cast ballots in a second vote held to reconsider the propriety of showing the video.
"While we believe that it is a personal choice whether or not to watch pornography," wrote FAM President Kolbe Franklin '08 in an e-mail, "we do not feel that a social, school-sponsored party is an appropriate place to project this type of movie."
The Cook Commons Council, a student-run body, had raised the idea of a pirate-themed party at its first meeting of the year. But according to Commons Tri-chair H.Kay Merriman '10, because the Council held a vote on the potentially sensitive issue at the same meeting, the assembly had little time to inform students of its plans.
"We acknowledge the fact that we did not properly alert the Commons that this topic was going to be discussed," wrote Merriman in an e-mail. "In light of that, we reopened the discussion."
Because the Council functions democratically, all students belonging to Cook Commons are free to participate in Council meetings. Tri-chair Rachel Lincoln '08 emphasized that the decision to display "Pirates" was made by Cook students attending the first Council meeting and did not represent a unilateral move by the Commons Council.
"The difference may seem subtle," wrote Lincoln in an e-mail, "but it has huge differences in connotation."
Representatives from both FAM and Men Against Violence addressed the Cook Council at a subsequent meeting. Because only members of Cook Commons can vote in Council meetings, however, most members of the two organizations were unable to cast ballots in a second vote held to reconsider the propriety of showing the video.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Michael Sheridan
posted 10/11/07 @ 2:18 PM EST
Do you have more to say about the 'pirate party'? How do social events like this affect/reflect relationships on our campus? The Task Force on the Status of Women wants to know what you think about the experiences of women (and men) at Middlebury. (Continued…)
Stuart Santee
posted 10/11/07 @ 2:42 PM EST
"Surrender Your Booty!" What a brilliant concept for a party. As a member of the Class of 96.5, I remember the beginnings of the Commons System. They were supposed to offer an alternative to the Social House Party Scene. (Continued…)
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