<p>endicott, I hear what you are saying, but do you know how some of the frat brothers “celebrated” this “victory?” They drank during lunch at Sharples, and I don’t mean water or carbonated beverages. Fraternities often seem to encourage “frat behavior,” allowing boys to do things they wouldn’t normally do as individuals. I am a parent who has always been sorry that there are fraternities at Swarthmore because since 2003 when my oldest started at Swat, I have heard of instances of frat boys behaving badly. Although it hasn’t affected my family directly since neither of my boys had any interest in the fraternities, as a Swarthmore parent, I am embarrassed when the school is portrayed in a negative light. And I do realize that the fraternities do not have a monopoly on the bad behavior, but they do seem to own more than their fair share.</p>
<p>College students drinking? Why I have never heard of such a horror. Oh wait, I’ve heard plenty of naughty little things that students do at Swarthmore. And in the sacred space that is Sharples! I don’t like Swarthmore portrayed in a negative light, either, but I think that the average American would be less freaked out by frat boys having a beer in the cafeteria than they would be by Swarthmore’s American Masturbatory Theater Company, where, “Though the company has no immediate plans for any actual group genital masturbation. . .should a member of a company begin to masturbate during a meeting, they would not stop that member from doing so – as long as the activity is useful to the exercise and no other member is traumatized by the action,” which is apparently cooked up by students in a state of sobriety.</p>
<p>Or how about Crunkfest. You think drinking a beer is worse than Crunkfest?<br>
, "When asked by The College Fix about Crunkfest, a Swarthmore student described it as an annual sexcapade typically held in a dorm’s courtyard during Easter weekend. The student has witnessed “Crunkfest,” and described it as a “nude celebration” of sorts, in which students take part in so-called circle jerks and similar activities.</p>
<p>And this is what Urban dictionary had to say about drinking in one of the dorms–note, NOT a frat: willets roulette </p>
<p>6 up, 1 down
A combination of Russian Roulette and a drinking game except with a Nerf Gun and beer. It was created in Willets Hall 3rd South of Swarthmore College. Prepare for glory. </p>
<p>Add the foam bullet in the barrel and spin. each person takes turns pointing the gun at himself or at another player. If he kills himself, he takes a sip of beer. If he chooses to shoot an opponent and kills him, that player must sip a beer. If it is a miss, the opponent has the opportunity to either continue with the barrel (not spin) or spin the barrel and shoot back at the first player. If it is another miss, the gun continues in order to the next player, with no additional spin. If the player is killed without spinning the barrel beforehand, he must take two sips. If he is killed with a spun barrel (therefore reset and 1/6 chance) he must take 4 sips of beer. Play until everyone passes out besides the last man standing.
Tonight, we dine in hell. Let’s play Willets Roulette.</p>
<p>Let’s face it. A lot of really odd things go on at SWAT, but that’s also its charm. Although it is disconcerting to lay down $55,000 for precious young artistes to publicly manhandle themselves, as well as the utter horror of beer drinking at lunch. They somehow still manage to get a great education.</p>
<p>Thanks Endicott. Your posts make me even happier my D did not choose to attend Swat!</p>
<p>mambear1234,
I’m sure your D will be happy at Pomona. I’m sure that nothing “untoward” goes on there. :rolleyes: Despite being less than thrilled with the concept of fraternity life, it is my opinion that a student will not get a finer undergrad education anywhere than he/she will get at Swarthmore. I do think that Pomona is a terrific school, too, but if you think that all kinds of nonsense like this doesn’t happen at Pomona, I think you will be surprised to find out otherwise. Endicott and I don’t necessarily see “eye to eye” on some of the “extra-curricular” happenings at Swarthmore, but I have a sneaking suspicion that neither of us nor our children have any regrets about their attendance at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>endicott-simple point I wanted to make. In my opinion, and just that, an opinion, it was pretty boorish to be “celebrating” the day after the vote by drinking in Sharples during lunch. I wonder if “Willets Roulette” is something new? My older son, a Willets resident, never mentioned it. :)</p>
<p>A woman can get a much better education elsewhere (like at a women’s college I imagine) where there is appropriate safety and protection on campus: </p>
<p>Read: </p>
<p>[Swarthmore</a> College Faces Federal Complaint Alleging Underreported Sexual Misconduct](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>Swarthmore College Faces Federal Complaint Alleging Underreported Sexual Misconduct | HuffPost College)</p>
<p><a href=“Swarthmore and Occidental Colleges Are Accused of Mishandling Sexual Assault Cases - The New York Times”>Swarthmore and Occidental Colleges Are Accused of Mishandling Sexual Assault Cases - The New York Times;
<p>[Brought</a> to Light: Survivor Speaks, CJC Case Still Unfinished | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>
<p>[Brought</a> to Light: Accused Walks, College Demands Silence | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>
<p>[Clery</a> Complainants To File Title IX Complaints, Join National Movement Against Sexual Assault | Daily Gazette](<a href=“daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed”>daily.swarthmore.edu domain has changed)</p>
<p>I will say that a lot of college are like Swarthmore. But I think there are safer schools out there. All I can do is hope that President Chopp will take action and make Swat a leader.</p>
<p>hope,
Let me start by saying that I completely support the action that you and the other survivors are taking. I actually attended an all women’s college and I know the advantages. I am familiar with all of the articles that you are linking as I have been following this story very closely. I do agree with you that we must hope that President Chopp becomes a leader. I stand by my statement about the quality of a Swarthmore education, but truly understand your objection to it. In the context of what has happened to you and the other survivors, I can see how you would disagree with me.</p>
<p>Thank you for your words of support! I completely agree that the academics at Swarthmore are unparalleled. But I think that the hostile environment can make it difficult for female (and male for that matter) students from accessing all of the incredible resources.</p>
<p>Swarthmore is very expensive if you are really uncomfortable and unhappy. Perhaps you should transfer to an all girls school.</p>
<p>Perhaps the college should give me the education I’m entitled to?</p>
<p>I would agree that the education at Swat has been incredible. And that my son is EXTREMELY grateful for what he’s learned, the friends he’s made, and the school’s general rigorousness and high expectations. One of his friends spent a semester at Pomona and enjoyed it very much–he said it was very laid back and much easier than Swat, which I’m sure is very pleasant. However, I seriously doubt that the students at Pomona are spending their weekends rereading their favorite bible passages with their hands folded. College kids everywhere do a lot of things that will seem much more amusing to hear about in, oh, about ten years</p>
<p>I’ve read a number of the articles in the Gazette, and hopebrinn13 seems to keep saying that she is taking the steps she is taking because she cares about and loves Swarthmore but I’m just not getting that here. I’m not trying to call you out, but I can’t really pinpoint what you love about the school, can you perhaps clarify that? And why transferring wasn’t really an option for you if you felt unhappy?</p>
<p>1) I came to Swarthmore for the Educational Studies major, and it’s incredible. Though I’m biased, I say it’s the very best education program in the country.
2) I’ve got some amazing grants and scholarships that I’m still in the middle of using. One of the grants is part of a three-year-long program that won’t end until I graduate. It’s an amazing opportunity that I’m really enjoying.
3) My friends are awesome. Wouldn’t change them for a second.
4) My professors are amazing. Twelve person classes. Professors invite you to their houses. I show up to office hours just to hang out and talk about politics. It’s pretty cool. </p>
<p>So these aren’t all the reasons why I love Swarthmore, but they’re a few of them. Because Swarthmore has so many wonderful things to offer me, I’d much rather focus on making the college a safe place for me and for everyone instead of just packing up and leaving. I’d be at a place where I would probably be less satisfied academically. In addition, if I leave, I’m only protecting myself. If I work to help Swarthmore become compliant with the law, then I’m helping all current and future students. Lastly though, I’d like to note again that Swarthmore isn’t unique in its mishandling of sexual assault. There’s a large possibility that wherever I would go, I’d face similar problems. So to me, reforming the school that I love seems like the best option.</p>
<p>This has been a disturbing thread to read on so many levels. @hopebrinn13, I don’t think everyone here realizes this, but what you are doing can only make Swarthmore a better place. Stay strong and good luck to you.</p>
<p>Hopebrinn13, I have been a CC lurker for a year since my daughter started her college search. She’s been accepted to Swarthmore and starts in the fall. Your last post explaining your love for Swarthmore and your desire to improve the school motivated me to register at CC and thank you for your efforts.</p>
<p>Your support really does mean a lot!</p>
<p>Thank you hopebrinn13! You really gave me a little sense of relief as I’m heading to campus this fall. I’m thinking about minoring in Educational Studies and when I visited, the department’s professors and classes really amazed me!</p>
<p>You’ve made me even more excited about next year and thanks for taking steps to make Swarthmore safer for years to come. See you in the fall!</p>
<p>No, Endicott, it is not what you describe the students doing on campus that bothers me, it is the attitude demonstrated in your posts 42-44 (and some others on this CC forum) that made me happy my D would not be there. I get the strong feeling that the Swat students are similar in their relationships to each other - not respectful of others. I want my D somewhere students are happier and not so mean to each other as demonstrated in this thread.</p>