CMU Parade Controversy Over Naked Woman, Dressed As Pope

[metroplex]

<p>“Furthermore, all of your previous posts state that you don’t want relgion criticized; I used direct quotes as proof.”</p>

<p>yeah. you directly quoted when i said “criticism of religion is fine.”</p>

<p>but okay, you win. peace out lol.</p>

[FateGoneAwry16]

<p>Alright lol, we agree to disagree; thanks for playing.</p>

[RacinReaver]

<p>I don’t think this incident was mocking individual Catholics as much as it was mocking the Catholic Church and its doctrines. Kinda like hate the sin, love the sinner.</p>

[Selena731]

<p>I can’t believe I just read through all that…haha
But on related news, I don’t know if any of you received this email, but the president of CMU emailed the community today apologizing for the incident and said that the university is still reviewing the case and that “…some people seem to equate limited communication with no action, believing that the university is doing nothing, and somehow hoping that the issue will just go away. This is not the case…” So everythings fiiine</p>

[kaukauna]

<p>President Cohon’s communication (slightly out of place editorial comment–as an alumnus I appreciate everything President Cohon has done for the University. He’s done a great job and he will be missed.):</p>

<p>To the Carnegie Mellon Community:</p>

<p>I am writing to you about the incident that occurred during Spring Carnival, in which a student appeared in a parade partially nude and portraying herself as the Pope. This act was highly offensive and, as we have said, the university has been investigating the matter and following our procedures to determine if disciplinary action is warranted. </p>

<p>I had not intended to communicate with you again until our review process was complete, but in light of comments I have heard from people on and off campus, I have decided that an update is in order. In particular, some people seem to equate limited communication with no action, believing that the university is doing nothing, and somehow hoping that the issue will just go away. This is not the case, and those who know me and my administration should reject such ideas out of hand. </p>

<p>We have procedures for a reason: to protect both the university’s interests and those accused of violating our community standards or policies. We will take the time necessary to discharge our responsibility to treat those involved fairly. </p>

<p>While our process is still in motion and I cannot comment on or speculate about the resolution of the matter, I can apologize to those who took particular offense. I regret that this occurred, and I apologize to all who were offended by this, for religious or other reasons, and especially to those who witnessed this behavior. </p>

<p>Jared L. Cohon
President
Carnegie Mellon University</p>

[Hunt]

<p>I would have liked his letter a bit better if he had thrown in something reminding people how important free expression is.</p>

[4thfloor]

<p>This “artist” would have been making a more daring (I am not saying justified) test for freedom of expression if she mocked Mohammed with her half-naked body, and Islam with her pubic hair.</p>

<p>Mocking the Catholic church is copy-cat, pretty lame, and most importantly, SAFE.</p>

[FateGoneAwry16]

<p>^ If she mocked Mohammed, she’d also be dead by now.</p>

[Hunt]

<p>Islam generally doesn’t prohibit contraception, so if that’s her issue, it wouldn’t make much sense to mock Islam.</p>

[stressedouttt]

<p>

I don’t think this incident was mocking individual Catholics as much as it was mocking the Catholic Church and its doctrines. Kinda like hate the sin, love the sinner.

I don’t think that makes it any less offensive. You don’t mock things that you know are so important and so dear to so many people. If she wanted to criticize or have an actual discussion, fine. But this is not the way of going about these kinds of things.</p>

[RacinReaver]

<p>Here’s an e-mail recently sent out by President Cohen.</p>

<p>

To the Carnegie Mellon Community:</p>

<p>Last week, I wrote to you about the university’s process for dealing with the incidents of student nudity during the College of Fine Arts’ Anti-Gravity Downhill Derby on Carnival Weekend. I promised to write to you once the internal process had been completed. In this message I describe how the matter has been resolved and the rationale for the outcome.</p>

<p>Let me begin by quoting the university’s freedom of expression policy which can be found in its entirety at <a href=“http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/FreeSpeech.html:[/url]”>http://www.cmu.edu/policies/documents/FreeSpeech.html:&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>“Carnegie Mellon University values the freedoms of speech, thought, expression and assembly—in themselves and as part of our core educational and intellectual mission. The university must be a place where all ideas may be expressed freely and where no alternative is withheld from consideration. The only limits on these freedoms are those dictated by law and those necessary to protect the rights of other members of the university community and to ensure the normal functioning of the university.”</p>

<p>Our policy makes it clear that Carnegie Mellon is committed to the rights of its students to express controversial views, while recognizing some key restrictions on that expression—including those dictated by law. This policy was revised six years ago in a widely consultative process with input from all parts of campus including faculty, students, staff, the administrative leadership and the Board of Trustees.</p>

<p>We relied on this policy to frame our decision making in this matter. In this situation, the issue is public nudity by two students, one woman and one man, at an open event which members of the public historically have attended, without warning to or protection of anyone who might unwittingly be witness to that exposure. This is a violation of Pennsylvania law.</p>

<p>Carnegie Mellon’s Campus Police, who are commissioned by the state to enforce the law, have filed misdemeanor charges for indecent exposure against the two students. Final disposition of these charges will occur through the Allegheny County justice system, not through university channels. There will be no separate disciplinary action pursued through the university’s internal process.</p>

<p>The students took part in a campus art event and, in the case of the student who portrayed herself as the Pope, made an artistic statement which proved to be controversial. While I recognize that many found the students’ activities deeply offensive, the university upholds their right to create works of art and express their ideas. But, public nudity is a violation of the law and subject to appropriate action.</p>

<p>I understand that this resolution may not be supported by those who believe that there can be no limits on the freedom of artistic expression. Others who were particularly offended by the incident may be distressed that more severe action is not being taken.</p>

<p>There are competing values at issue here: Carnegie Mellon aims to be a place where ideas can be expressed and debated openly, but also where people of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs feel welcomed and supported. Unavoidably, the expression of some views will offend some people; that is the price of this freedom. However, if in the expression of these views, people in our community come to feel that the campus is intolerant, then the other of our cherished values is challenged. In such a situation, the institution may find it necessary to reassure those offended of its commitment to tolerance and inclusion. In doing so, I do not believe that the institution is compromising freedom of expression. Similarly, it is reasonable to expect individuals to consider the impact on others in expressing their views and how they choose to express them. This is responsibility, not censorship, and something that our students, especially, should learn while they are members of our community.</p>

<p>It is our practice in controversial situations such as this one to provide opportunities for discussion, where all sides have a chance to express their views. This has already begun on the campus. Members of our community are asking themselves the difficult questions about what happened here, and embracing their responsibility to create a context in which events like these can continue to be held in a manner which is consistent with the full range of our values. These values include, certainly, freedom of expression, but also the cultivation of an inclusive, mutually respectful environment, and respect for the law. Being aware of and acting on those values is my responsibility as your President, and, in this circumstance, the School of Art, the College of Fine Arts, and the Office of Student Affairs.</p>

<p>Our students, and the faculty who advise them, must have a clear understanding of the complexity of these issues. Our investigation of this incident revealed that our freedom of expression policy is not as well understood today as it was when it was adopted six years ago—especially by students, faculty, and staff who have come to the university since then. We will do a better job of making all members of our community aware of their rights to free speech and their responsibilities to the community.</p>

<p>I hope that, in that spirit, this incident will inspire thoughtful discussions at Carnegie Mellon and beyond, and affirm our beliefs in the freedom and the responsibility that are essential to the life of the university.</p>

<p>Jared L. Cohon
President
Carnegie Mellon University

</p>

[texaspg]

<p>[CMU</a> President: Police File Charges In Naked Pope Incident « CBS Pittsburgh](<a href=“http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/05/10/cmu-president-police-file-charges-in-naked-pope-incident/]CMU”>CMU President: Police File Charges In Naked Pope Incident - CBS Pittsburgh)</p>

[CTTC]

<p>

This “artist” would have been making a more daring (I am not saying justified) test for freedom of expression if she mocked Mohammed with her half-naked body, and Islam with her pubic hair.</p>

<p>Mocking the Catholic church is copy-cat, pretty lame, and most importantly, SAFE.

Just saw this thread when it was mentioned on another thread. I wonder where is the line drawn. Would CMU have allowed this type of thing with Mohammed as the object of ridicule? (Bet NOT!) Depending on the ridiculed target, universities can and do discipline students. </p>

<p>Katherine O’Connor is a foolish 19 y/o student, and she may be very disappointed in future years when this little stunt of hers comes back to haunt her. Any future employer could find pics of her naked bottom half. Such a shame that she thinks so little of herself…</p>

[Hunt]

<p>If these are art students, who plan careers in art, it is highly unlikely that this will harm them. It is more likely to help them, in fact.</p>

<p>What’s more, I predict the misdemeanor charges will be dropped some time during the summer.</p>

[CTTC]

<p>If it’s so helpful, then maybe she can do a whole series of nude stunts like this, portraying different religious leaders representing different religions. I still say that people at her future places of employment may be snickering behind her back (and possibly passing around pics of her in her “glory”). She’s a fool. Art jobs are hard to come by, and maybe someday her stunt will be the reason she doesn’t get a non-art job.</p>

[Hunt]

<p>Are you kidding? This kind of stunt is par for the course in the art world. Jeff Koons, the most successful American artist since Andy Warhol (according to the most recent New York magazine) had a series of large photos of himself having sex with his then-wife.</p>

[n0stalgia]

<p>POPE GIRL WON ART SCHOOL</p>

<p>I know her personally, and this incident won her a lot of exposure in the art world. I’m sure she’ll have no problem getting into an MFA program now. </p>

<p>PEOPLE ARE NAKED AT DOWNHILL DERBY EVERY YEAR and now, because CMU disciplined her, downhill derby will no longer continue (the administration would look even more hypocritical). </p>

<p>P.S. pope girl was born & raised catholic and went to catholic school all her life.</p>

[BigDaddyJ]

<p>Let’s be real if she mocked Muslims or any other religion besides Christianity for that matter she’d have gotten expelled and booed by the entire school.</p>

[Steve26]

<p>@nOstalgia</p>

<p>There is something wrong when self-expression moves beyond a desire to honestly express oneself and is really a grab for self-promotion. This lovely naked pope must be quite erudite. I would assume she must satisfied now that her “performance art” will win her an MFA opportunity. Maybe her parent’s investment in Catholic school will pay off, as well. Is this really where contemporary art is at?</p>

[4thfloor]

<p>Yes.</p>

<p><a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/csj/991008/madonna.html[/url]”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/offices/comm/csj/991008/madonna.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But this treatment is only cool for Christians, preferably Catholics.</p>