<p>Hmm. I don’t think the concern is so much about sexual aggression of lesbian students toward hetro women students. Rather, it’s a diversity thing. Does the campus foster a inclusive environment and behavior between gay and straight students. At some of the women’s colleges, there has been a hostile vibe between the two groups. Not a sexual thing, but a judging of “the other” thing. Your daughter should take the school’s temperature for that. It’s real at some women’s colleges. IDK about SLC. </p>
<p>If it is accepted that young women are so similar to young men that they are capable of doing anything academically that young men can do, and it is accepted that sexual aggression by young men on college campuses is ubiquitous, why is it impossible for there to be one college where sexual aggression by young women is common?</p>
<p>Because the two of these things have absolutely nothing to do with each other? Again, I accept that women do sometimes attack and assault other women - it’s not impossible at all. But statistically speaking, the vast majority of assault (especially sexual assault) is done by men, and a young woman is far more likely to be attacked by a young man than a young woman.</p>
<p>Make sure your D attends accepted student visits at her top 3 choices if possible once she has admissions in hand. I am not sure if she is a junior or senior… but don’t let her apply ED if you are not completely comfortable with the fit of the school. 24 hours on campus can really tell her a lot about the college, even if she did day visits before. One of my kids changed her list around and picked her distant #3 choice last year after accepted visits – and now says she “dodged a bullet” by not choosing her original #1 and #2. We have to give our kids some credit for knowing their own minds and tolerance levels, but make sure she has enough exposure to make a good choice.</p>
<p>I am sad and surprised that you would deem someone credible who made such a blanket assumption about an entire school. Uh, lesbian predators? I would be more concerned about whether your daughter has the stamina and research skills to flourish in a demanding academic environment. SLC is more likely one of the safest college environments you could choose. Have you heard about Dartmouth? Have you heard about the student melees after drunken partying at some of the bigger universities? That would be my worry as a parent - I think the notion of gay people as predators is based on outdated prejudice. Sexual harrassment on college campuses is rampant and more likely to be by straight men in the Ivies or huge universities - not a campus in Bronxville. :(( </p>
<p>“If there are so many colleges where it is apparently true that young men are sexually aggressive toward women, why can’t there be one college where that is true for young women? The word “misandry” comes to mind.”</p>
<p>@austinareadad </p>
<p>If you look at any of the statistics on sexual assault you’ll find that it’s overwhelmingly perpetrated by men, not women. This isn’t some sort of prejudice against men - it’s a statement of fact. Women as a whole are less likely to sexually assault people than men. </p>
<p>I haven’t heard anything about same-sex sexual assault at SLC, and from everything I know about the campus, it’s one of the most active in fighting -against- sexual assault. </p>
<p>I’m a male SLC grad. I’m not sure where your educator friend is getting her opinions, but they don’t sync up with my experience. </p>
<p>I know this thread is a few days old, and I don’t know all that much about SLC specifically, but I do feel like I have something important to add. </p>
<p>In a lot of high schools and other places with small LGBT populations even the students that are “out” do not make much of an effort to chase crushes and the like, at least in my experience. At a place like SLC, where there is a high population of gay and lesbian students, some people may feel more comfortable trying to make a move on someone. They may just flirt or ask someone out, but some straight students and visitors may be unused to that kind of attention from the same sex, and frankly, even if they are not homophobic, blatant flirting from a lesbian might make a straight person that is used to just being around other straight people uncomfortable. They may even perceive the attention as unwanted and aggressive, even if it is on the same level as would be considered acceptable for the lesbian’s male peers. Maybe this misunderstanding is part of the culture that your contact was referring to. It’s just a different way to think about it. </p>
<p>Brown Parent–LOTS of colleges and universities tolerate violence, and many more tolerate harassment–straight or gay. Sorry, but being gay doesn’t mean you are above some of the predatory behaviors that some straight students exhibit. </p>
<p>That said, I would think twice about SLC because I don’t think the quality of the education justifies the highest price tag in the nation.</p>