Campus Covered in “Co-Ed” Graffiti Protest
Amanda Pellegrino, Tower Staff
October 7, 2011
Filed under News
Life Is Co-ed. Those words, coupled with a stick figure boy and girl commonly found on bathroom doors, have been spray painted on sidewalks and printed on flyers and scattered all around campus. The persons behind the silent protest are unknown, however, everyone knows exactly what they are protesting about.
For just over one month now freshman students have been living in single-sex residence halls. With the opinions and thoughts about this new policy frequently publicized, as well as an even more public lawsuit currently underway concerning the matter, this new silent protest is a different way of expressing discontent with the issue.
“It is a powerful yet peaceful way for students to express their opinions about the new policy,” said Bernadette Poerio, a sociology major.
“The graffiti is eye catching and gets those who see it thinking about how a college with single-sex dorms might not be the best way to prepare us for life in a co-ed apartment,” sophomore, Liz Nolan, agreed.
There are issues about the graffiti, however, because the persons behind it are vandalizing the University. The University is quick to respond by scrubbing it off, or painting over it in an attempt to keep the campus clean.
“Although a creative idea, it defaces the university and shouldn’t be allowed,” said a junior who wished to remain anonymous.
“It is a little irresponsible to deface school property,” said Natalie Barrero, an international business major, “Spray-painting the campus just isn’t necessary.”
A psychology major said that he thinks people need to let this go. The lawsuit and graffiti don’t make a difference in the administration’s decisions and everyone needs to move on.
But moving on is difficult, especially considering that the last few weeks President John. H. Garvey’s decision to revert to single-sex dorms has made national headlines.
Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice, recently showed his support of President Garvey’s choice to re-embrace same-sex dorms.
“I hope this place will not yield – as some Catholic institutions have – to this politically correct instance upon suppression of moral judgment, to this distorted view of what diversity in America means,” Scalia said in a speech to Dusquesne University.
This silent protest is a controversial way for students to express how they feel about the situation, and even spark a flame in the opinions of those who see it.
Despite the controversy, the University administration has not faltered in their confidence in their program of single-sex residence halls.
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