[Wamvan] UBC Sauder rape chant

[Joanna Chiu]

Breaking news:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/09/09/bc-ubc-frosh-rape-chant.html

The University of British Columbia has pulled its support for commerce
students' frosh week events following allegations students used a chant
promoting non-consensual sex with minors during a recent orientation event.

"What is reported to have happened at frosh this year is deeply upsetting
and is completely inconsistent with the values of the school and UBC,” said
Robert Helsley, dean of the Sauder School of Business, in a statement
issued Monday.

"Based on initial information I have received, there is enough for me to
conclude that the school should end its support for frosh."

Helsley said he understands why people are upset.

"People are expressing their indignation over these events. And I share
those views."

In addition to withdrawing support for the Commerce Undergraduate Society
frosh events, university officials said they are also launching a
fact-finding investigation into the incident and increasing the emphasis in
the curriculum on issues related to respect, dignity and ethics.

The school said it would look to work with the student society to develop
more appropriate orientation events for first-year students in the future.

"While such activities are completely unacceptable, and it is easy to
direct blame, it is my view that all of us can play a greater role in
addressing discriminating and hurtful language and actions,” said UBC's
vice-president of students Louise Cowin.

"The current moment provides an opportunity for the UBC community to engage
in such reflection and learning," said Cowin.
 Reaction on campus

Students at the school on Monday expressed a range of opinions on the chant.

Tian Yi, a first-year business student, said she was on the bus when
second- and third-year students led the chant.

"I thought it was a bit disturbing, but I just ignored them, so I just
didn't really participate." she said. "Yeah, they told us not to talk to
people about it."

Frosh event volunteer Susanna Yao seemed less concerned.

"I know it happened in the night right? Because people are very crazy, and
so..."

Earlier on Monday morning the sign outside the Sauder School of Business
was spray-painted with graffiti expressing outrage over the chant.

"F--k Rape Culture' and "Sauder School of Business Teaches Rape," said the
graffiti, which was quickly removed, leaving only faint marks behind.
Chant used on bus trip

The use of the chant at UBC came to light after a first-year business
student posted the lyrics on
Twitter<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/09/07/bc-ubc-frosh-pro-rape-chant.html>,
condemning the chant, along with a report in the student newspaper, The
Ubyssey.

   - *Read more about the frosh
event*<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/09/07/bc-ubc-frosh-pro-rape-chant.html>

The chant condones non-consensual sex with underage girls saying,
"Y-O-U-N-G at UBC, we like 'em young, Y is for your sister, O is for oh so
tight, U is for underage, N is for no consent, G is for go to jail."

Students said the chant has been used for 20 years, and this year frosh
week organizers didn't prevent it, allowing students to chant it on the bus
while travelling to an event, but not in public.

The Commerce Undergraduate Society has issued a statement saying there was
little they could do to stop it.

The revelations come only days after student leaders at Nova Scotia'sSaint
Mary's University were caught on
camera<http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/09/05/ns-saint-marys-video-apology.html>
chanting
about non-consensual underage sex during frosh week at the Halifax school.

Jared Perry, chair of Students Nova Scotia and president of the student
council at Saint Mary's, stepped down from his position in light of the
controversy.


On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 2:54 AM, Frieda Werden <frieda.werden at gmail.com>wrote:

> Well at least the cheer contains an understanding of the repercussions -
> underage and no consent leads to Go to jail.
>
>
> On Sat, Sep 7, 2013 at 2:46 PM, Alexandra Tse <alex_tse at sfu.ca> wrote:
>
>> Hey WAM, let's show these fuckers who they're up against.
>> http://ubyssey.ca/news/sauder-chant-325/
>>
>> Let's put on the facebook and twitter pressure NOW.
>>
>> Copy and paste this tweet or write your own:
>>
>> Hey @UBCSauderSchool, do something about this: http://ht.ly/oF3re You're
>> supposed to educate people, right? #cultureofrespect #rapejokes
>>
>> Join me and Cynthia and Tami on UBC Sauder's facebook page here:
>>
>> https://www.facebook.com/sauderschool/posts/671814579514611
>>
>> Write a message on your own wall and tag "Sauder School of Business at
>> the University of British Columbia" (Unfortunately I think you have to Like
>> their facebook page before you can tag them).
>>
>> Let's do this! Fuck Sauder admin for saying that rape jokes are okay as
>> long as the students do it privately.
>>
>> Alex
>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> Frieda Werden, Series Producer
> WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service www.wings.org
> <http://www.wings.org>
> https://www.facebook.com/wingsradio
>
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