[Callers] require their new pledges to come to a contra dance in a skirt

On Sep 22, 2011, at 1:07 PM, JoLaine Jones-Pokorney wrote: I think this is a really bad idea, should be discouraged, and am disappointed that others haven't commented on it before me. Here you have worked to have a safe community in which people feel OK to flirt, dance with each other as partners, and some men feel comfortable dancing in skirts. See Contra and Contradiction: Gender and Agency Within a Social Dance Community by Shaina Kapeluck (http://www.warren-wilson.edu/~socanth/students/studentresearch06.html) for more info. Now you add new attendees who are being forced to wear skits. What messages does this send to people? Why would you want a fraternity to use your dance for this purpose? In Massachusetts out anti-hazing law says: The term ‘hazing’ shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person. Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, drug or other substance, or any other brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation. At MIT we square dance for PE and have to follow this: Each group, team or organization shall distribute a copy of the law to each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants for membership. It shall be the duty of each such group, team or organization, acting through its designated officers, to deliver annually, to the Division of Student Life [with exception of varsity teams and club sports who may deliver acknowledgements to the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation] an acknowledgement stating that such group, team, or organization has received a copy of the law, that each of its members, plebes, pledges or applicants understands and agrees to comply with the provisions of the law. Copies of the law are available at the Office of The Dean for Student Life and the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation. I am disappointed that making guys dress up in skirts and attend a contra dance probably doesn't count as hazing -- I think it should. At my daughter's school (http://sudval.org/) no one can infringe on your right to peaceably exist and receive an education. More than a few students were brought up for violating this rule as it takes a while for kids to get their head around it. However, it seems we would all be better off if everyone followed that rule. -- Clark Baker, Belmont, MA cmbaker(a)tiac.net