The Old Dominion University chapter of Sigma Nu was suspended this week after members living in an off-campus house hung signs that many found offensive and sexist. “Rowdy and fun, hope your baby girl is ready for a good time,” read one banner. Another advertised that the house was designated as the “freshman daughter drop-off” point, and a third sign added, “Go ahead and drop off Mom too.”
The banners have led to widespread condemnation and a number of critical essays and defenses of the behavior. But -- like the college controversy du jour earlier this month involving sorority recruitment videos -- the signs are not an uncommon sight on and near college campuses. Old Dominion students were completely in line with a tradition of many fraternities -- a tradition that angers many but has historically gone unchallenged most of the time.
Residents of a house near Ohio State University also hung similar banners this week, advertising their “daughter day care” services, and letting fathers know that they could “take it from here.” These kinds of signs seem to appear outside fraternity houses or off-campus male group houses every year as new students arrive.
Last year, the Faculty Senate at Bowling Green University passed a resolution asking the dean of students to “impose sanctions” on students who post sexist signs. Banners with phrases like “daughter drop-off” and “we’ll trade beer for girls” have been commonplace during move-in week for decades, the faculty group said.
Signs reading “thank you, fathers, for your freshman daughters” and “21 to drink, 18ish to spend the night” have been seen at several fraternity chapters across the country for years. Last year, the Georgia Southern University chapter of Delta Sigma Phi posted a sign with the latter phrase, followed by the hashtag #momsdrinkforfree.
Comments
Post a Comment