Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Kaplan, Claire Naomi (cnk2r)" <>]

Dear SAPC subscribers:

The recent “debate” has once again raised a good deal of concern on the part of a number of subscribers as well as myself about the purpose of this list.  It was originally created as a forum for campus employees and allied professionals who provide direct services to college students, faculty and staff to share resources, discuss concerns, educate and support one another.  The need for this has not changed, even as the national conversation about gender violence on campus has increased.  However, this list is NOT a place for attacking one another, even if we disagree on strategy.  

Some members have been so distressed by the tone of the current discussion that they have unsubscribed from the list—the very people for whom this list was created. This is difficult and thankless work. Many of us work crazy hours for miserable pay (or for no compensation at all), but we do it because we are committed to social justice.  But whether we are well or poorly, we are all passionate about ending gender violence and changing the conditions that harm survivors.  

As your moderator, I have made it quite clear on more than one occasion that I will step in and intervene if a discussion violates the purpose or the list or causes harm.  List members who continue to ignore this will be unsubscribed.  There are plenty of forums online for hefty and vigorous debates; I encourage any and all to take up those discussions there.  

There is one more comment (which will appear after this message), that I feel compelled to post, even though I’d rather not.  It will be the last on this topic that I will allow, and then this thread is done.  There are a number of subscribers who plan to start a new list that will be strictly limited to campus staff. Stay tuned for more information.  SAPC will continue as a broader forum, and I encourage all of you to stay on the list.

Thanks for all you do,

Claire

SAPC List Moderator

Claire N Kaplan, Ph.D.

Program Director, Sexual & Domestic Violence Services

UVA Women’s Center

PO Box 800588

[1400 University Avenue]

Charlottesville VA 22908-0588

434-982-2774

http://womenscenter.virginia.edu