The non-profit Intercollegiate Studies Institute brought the national Cicero's Podium lecture series to Newcomb Ballroom last night to host a debate about the role of women's studies programs on college campuses nationwide.
The debate, titled "Are We Getting it Right?," was cosponsored by the Network of Enlightened Women, Feminism is for Everyone, the College Republicans, The Virginia Advocate, the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society and the Washington Literary Society and Debating Union.
Feminist author and activist Amy Richards began the debate by expressing her support for the creation of women's studies programs on college campuses, claiming the programs serve as a means of broadening students' perspectives and raising awareness about women's concerns.
Conservative author Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse countered Richards' support of women's studies programs, calling for increased emphasis on men's roles in society given the high rate of male suicide.
"I will argue that there is no legitimate reason why the taxpayers of Virginia should support an academic department devoted solely to the study of women," Morse said. "If anything, we need a men's studies department that would ask why men are retreating from higher education. We could have a men's center on campus to encourage men to invest in themselves for their own benefit, and the benefit of the wider society."
The debate then turned to a discussion about marriage and the conflict between starting a career and starting a family. The change of topic brought mixed reactions from the audience.
"I was a little bit disappointed that the debate on women's studies devolved into a debate on marriage, because I think that women's studies is about so much more in women's lives than just marriage," said Steph Salter, a member of f.i.f.e. and the Jefferson Society. "I think that there are so many other issues we could talk about that are very important."
President of f.i.f.e. Kim Lanzarotta, however, said the debate was successful and raised important questions.
"I'm very proud of the speaker that f.i.f.e. brought in, Amy Richards," Lanzarotta said. "I think a lot of the questions posed by students were very well formed and are very important to their time at U.Va. and their time in the work force."
Karin Agness, first-year law student and founder of NeW, echoed Lanzarotta's opinion, saying the speakers provoked thoughtful reflection from the audience.
"When NeW initiated this debate, the goal was to really foster intellectual diversity and that is what we have clearly done today," Agness said.
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