Published: April 13, 2011

Every year, a “Little Coochie Snorcher” makes a big splash at Fordham. This now-infamous act of “The Vagina Monologues” tells the story of a 16-year-old girl who experiences a sexual awakening with an older woman after having been raped as a child. It is this lone monologue that prevents Student Affairs from endorsing the play each year, as Liz Bowen and Christina Frasca’s article “Ads Emphasize‘Monologues’ Ban,” on page one, points out. According to Fordham administration, this portion of “The Vagina Monologues” glorifies statutory rape and underage drinking, so Student Affairs feel that they have no choice but to disengage with the production entirely.

This interpretation of the notorious monologue, “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could,” is immensely oversimplified. Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues” are based on real interviews with real women, and to discard one woman’s story of recovery is to disregard the reality that every person deals with sexual violence differently. By refusing to acknowledge this particular experience, Student Affairs is sending the message that some rape narratives are legitimate, and some are not—even if they are true.

Even more disturbing than Fordham’s rejection of some women’s experiences is the fact that, because Student Affairs is not at all involved with the event, representatives from Counseling and Psychological Services are not permitted to attend “The Vagina Monologues.” As a result, students in the audience who may be struggling with issues of sexual violence similar to those portrayed in the play are left with no immediate resources. There are no professional counselors in the room when, at the end of the play, students are asked to stand if they’ve ever been sexually abused. For many, this is a terrifying step to take—for some, it is the first time they’ve dealt with that truth publicly. The intensity of this experience is not to be taken lightly, and it is shameful that Fordham students are left to wrestle with their emotions on their own, without the aid of professionals trained to help them deal with sexual violence and trauma.

Counseling and Psychological Services are not to blame. Under the umbrella of Student Affairs, they are prohibited from attending an event that is banned across the board because of one isolated scene that is taken out of context. Because of Student Affairs’ questionable interpretation of “The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could,” students are left without staff support in coping with the issues of sexual abuse that arise at many points throughout the play. Students must depend only on one another to construct a dialogue around these incredibly complex issues; Student Affairs, whose staff is trained to guide difficult conversations, is nowhere to be found.

That said, ISIS (let’s call them what they are) did a truly commendable job creating a safe space where women could feel comfortable talking about their bodies and experiences. But that responsibility should not fall on student leaders’ shoulders alone. It is also up to the University to facilitate dialogue that acknowledges the legitimacy of all experiences. Ignoring the complicated and contrasting ways that sexual violence occurs will not make the issue go away. Whether or not Fordham recognizes it, some people drink underage and some are victims of statutory rape. If any of these people are Fordham students attending “The Vagina Monologues,” how can they be expected to count on their university for support?

It is unfair to blame the individuals involved in Student Affairs for the message their institution is sending. However, it is time for those in charge of policy to re-examine the implications of their actions. If Student Affairs attended the performance, perhaps they’d see how it speaks for itself: at the close of each show, the cast asks audiences to pledge not to let sexual violence ever happen again. It’s hard not to notice who’s not in the room.