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Show W V & o rciccip of IISUSA primary u elections, go to HhiieSuiiEIevs, com rar X'- s' w ' -- 2- ILl & & V y i. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, DIXIESUNNEWS.COM 2of y is Wgogidugo ppncsGL? sUdggOs ra reo OoGiiGaij' y C ar ac O siiqd&Go oddwOGds 0dgO7 0S8QDG8 Why is he wearing y Lish Harris, an assistant professor of criminal justice Wearing a skirt on campus was the first time in my adult life as a professor that I thought, I wonder if my students are going to look at me differently because the way I look. As a male faculty member, I can show up to school in my jeans and tennis shoes, and nobodys really going to batt an eye. But its different (for a woman) because theres a different set of standards. That at least gave me a little bit of insight into what that must feel like, and it was uncomfortable. f ' c 2. E y John Pugliese, an assistant professor of Patrons at the Vagina Project observe artwork after the improvisation dance performance on March 18 in the North Plaza. The project spanned the course of three nights. solo by Sara Gallo, an asFve had to figure this pist assistant major from Riverside, California, said the project was a representation of her own body image. When I was doing something where I wrapped my arms (around myself), I was kind of uncomfortable with my body, so I wanted to hide it, she said. When I had my arms wide; I was kind of breaking free of that. Caylie Taylor, a sophomore integrated studies major from Canyon Lake, California, said watching the dance performance was interesting, and it was something she had never seen before. Research presentations were given Thursday by Dixie State University faculty and students. The research dealt with rape myths, body image acceptance and sexual satisfaction. A theatrical performance titled Mirrors depicted the types of behavior and emotions people exhibit while looking at themselves in the mirror, and there was also a dance BY EMILY HAVENS emi!yhavensDSN This years Vagina Project was heavy with themes of body acceptance, rape culture, sexuality and cupcakes that looked like vaginas. The project began March 18 and ended Friday. The events were held in the North Plaza and the Eccles Fine Arts Center. A handful of departments across campus participated in the events, including dance, theater, art and psychology. An art reception and dance improvisation performance was held Wednesday night. The choreography was titled Moving in Our Own Way and was performed in a small space with a single bassist. The dancers said the performance meant something unique to each of them. Haleigh Caldwell, a sophomore physical thera sistant professor of dance. Dannelle Larsen-Rifsocial and behavioral sciences department chair and an assistant professor of psychology, said the Vagina Project is influenced heavily from The Vagina Monologues. However, instead of having outside monologues read, Larsen-Rifemphasized the importance of having monologues from the community submitted. The monologues were read Thursday and Friday, and many were reflective of sexual struggles. You never know what people are struggling with, said Hiu Yu Tang, a senior psychology major from Hong Kong. Fve never felt like that before, like struggled with sexually that much and had it really affect my life, Tang said. I never really thought my sexually could be that difficult. In one of the monologues, the writer explained his or her experience with misinformation about sexuality. e, e, out through my own trial and a lot of error, it said. Informative exercises and workshops were held Friday, and Christine Chew, an assistant professor of psychology, said she participated in the Vagina Project because she has a natural alliance with the treatment of womens issues and depression. A lot of times, women feel alienated because they feel like theyre not allowed to talk about their experiences, and this kind of work helps us to start working on our shame," she said. The overall goal of the Vagina Project is to shed light on womens issues in southern Utah specifically and open up dialogue for safe discussion. John Pugliese, an assistant professor of psychology, said the DSU community is on the right track. It only takes a little band of people on the right trajectory to open up conversation and make it safe for everyone, he said. psychology The experience has been tremendous and it has created opportunities to discuss gender inequality with students. Students want to know how I feel, and how I have adjusted to some of the additional considerations that wearing a skirt requires. Female students have shared their experi- - r a skirt, ences with how gender norms affect their choices and how they cope when those norms are restrictive or burdensome. I ha; been able, albeit in a verj small way, to identify wji their experience. I enco age other males to try it, and I think a university campus should be a safe environment to do so. Dennis Wignall, professor of communication Im learning that theres a great deal of complexity in a womans world, just on the basis of a skin that dont exist in a man' world. That, for me, was a learning and a sensitizing process. I had two or three male students in m classes who were checkin; my legs out. Wearing; skirt was simply my wj C of understanding the wor from a womans povr&ol view, simply by just having a skirt on and realizing the complexity thats emerged out of that, which is more compli- - j ' cated than any man has thi probably ever contemconsidered. of or plated gr Ut un SI fu of tu in ra bi ne an mi in ed de pr ap an gr. From left, sociology professor Matt John Jones, associate professor of psychology; Dannelle Larsen-Rife- , social and behavioral sciences chair to and John Pugliese, associate professor of psychology; en show off their skirts in support of the Vagina Project. Ur Smith-Lahrma- n; the thr STAGE continued from Page production distinct to DSU, Peterson said. Up to this point, my collaboration with Varlo Davenport has been the pinnacle of my work as the director in musical theater, and I am devastated that this is coming to an end, he said. It never occurred to me that it would. ing new, but his termination proved daunting making him feel alone. However, the showcase built upon support that made the last month a bit more bearable, he said. You face something like this and you really feel all alone, and you doubt yourself Davenport received numerous standing ovations by the showcases end, and afterward, attendees spoke with him and snapped pictures while eating baked goods and donating money. Davenport said drama in a drama department is noth question yourself, Davenport said. And then that first person cares enough to look you in the eyes and say, Are you OK? To have that happen, now I want to be that person for other people because little gestures mean so much. high-quali- 1 2002, Davenport approached him and proposed a partnership between the music and theater departments in order to take advantage of the new facilities at the time. What ensued was 12 years of unprecedented work between music and theater, he said. We achieved amazing things together, and best of all, not only was the quality of the work wonderful; it was fun. Until Davenports termination, each new season brought y ty Davenport said he still acknowledges the uncertainty of his future in southern Utahs theater community. He said he longs to be back in his DSU office, but he just wants to play some role in the place he calls home. Good art breeds good art, and this is an exciting place to be, and I hope in some way I can continue to be involved, he said. Im not sure what thats going to end up being, but this will always be home. That red dirt gets in your shoes, and you cant get rid of it. toe TRUSTEES continued from Page I 1 Students can also look forward to additions to the Burns Arena. President Biff Williams said the project will be breaking ground as soon as possible, and hes hopeful it will be finished by September or October. In the presidents report, Williams specifically mentioned his gratitude for being able to work with the faculty senate. with enjoy meeting the faculty senate, and they have shown great leadership on this campus, he said. Student Body President Gregory J. Layton, a senior English major from Cottonwood Heigh1 f( presented the proposal tuition and fee increases that were discussed in in February at the Truth boaI Tuition meeting. The th( unanimously approved proposal for a 3 percent increase of tuition and percent increase in feeS' 1- fes thi ou are I vei fac wh stu to sio DS stu bei cai |