February 2008
The CGE is excited to start off the Spring semester by welcoming three new staff members onto our team! Get to know them below and read on for event updates past, present, and future.

New CGE Staff!

Sean Wells I am Sean Wells, a sophomore majoring in film and Japanese. I joined the Center for Gender Equity out of a strong sense of irony. The fact that a center for gender equity had no guys working at it seemed wrong. I hope to study abroad in Japan next year. When I am not working on school or CGE things, I'm probably playing videogames.

Kayla Johnston Hi! My name is Kayla Johnston. I am new to the CGE and am very excited about starting work. I transferred to Pacific as a sophomore in the fall of 2007. I've recently decided to major in History and Politics & Government, with a possible minor in art. I'm crazy about
old-school black and white photography. I love cupcakes, camping, and David Bowie. I am also a member of Rainbow Coalition and
Students for Environmental Awareness.

Christopher Palmer Hi, I'm Chris Palmer from Portland. I graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 2007 and am now a freshman here at Pacific. I plan to obtain a degree in Political Science and History and want to get involved in politics after school. I also want to study abroad sometime in Europe. While at Pacific, I have become an active member of the Politics and Law Forum as well as a the Peer Review Board.
Where's Martha?
Wonder why you haven't been seeing Dr. Rampton around campus lately? That's because she is currently traveling in India and Nepal for the month of February where she is working on developing exciting new programs. Pacific Students will have the opportunity to travel to India during Winter III of 2009. If you are interested in this trip refer to our website where details will be posted as they are determined. Also, look for an article on Martha's travels in a coming newsletter.
Upcoming Events

Slam Poetry Night
Slam Poetry NightSaturday, February 23
Join us for Pacific's second annual Slam Poetry Night! Miss last years event? We brought this event back by popular demand, so here's your second chance! Hear guest slam poets perform and then get on stage yourself! We want to hear YOU speak out.
Perform your pieces under three open themes:

  • White Men in Black Suits
  • Mother Should I Trust the Government
  • This is What I Call Living.
These themes are open to creative interpretation! Improvised pieces are also welcome. The CGE will be giving away prizes to the three most exceptional performances of their original works. Look to our event posters, artfully designed by Cameron Ousley, for added inspiration.

Hip Hop Hos: Sexism, Lyrics, and Culture
Join us for our first Spring Brown Bag from noon to 1:00 on February 12. A panel of rappers and other guests will discuss issues related to hip hop culture. Are women always portrayed as ho's and men always macho? Do these images or expectations carry over into real life? Come listen, ask questions, and share your thoughts.
Making the Cut: Circumcision
Our next brown bag, on February 26, will be a panel discussion on circumcision. Guests will
include a health professional and Rabbi among others. We will be exploring health and religious
perspectives as well as common misconceptions about the prodedure of circumcision.

CGE Music & Arts Festival
Check your UC box soon for a CGE bookmark listing all of our events for the remainder of the year.		 CGE's 1st Annual Music & Arts Festival
This is a call-out to all performers, artists, and musicians. Mark your calendars for May 2-4 to be a part of the first ever CGE Music & Arts Festival. Our vision is to see a variety of individuals come together on the Pacific University campus to share their talents with each other and the community.
If you are an aspiring artist, an impassioned performer, or an endeavoring musician and want to take part in the first of many CGE Music and Arts Festivals, contact Celeste Goulding at celeste97760@yahoo.com. This event is open to all who wish to attend. Details will be available shortly.
Make Art not War!
Past Events

The CGE Fed Me!Cupcake Study Break
You may have noticed that we haven't had a bundle of events for the last month or so. Well, that's because we decided that everyone here at Pacific needed a break--- especially one involving cupcakes! Hopefully you were able to snag some tasty desserts and a "The CGE Fed Me!" button from our table at the "Cupcake Study Break" during Winter III. This was our way of celebrating student's hard work during this term and encouraging a little socializing and relaxing before finals.

CGE and AAUW Honor Female Math and Science Students
On Sunday, February 3, The Center for Gender Equity and the American Association of
University Women held an event to specially honor local high school girls who demonstrate
outstanding performances in their studies of science, technology, and mathematics. Guest
panelists from each of these professions were present and took this time to share their experiences of the trials and tribulations of being a woman in these previously male dominated fields. The event was full of advice and encouragement with the hopes that these young women, and others, will continue to pursue these fields with all of their skills and determination.
- Information courtesy of Merle Baisden
Rainbow Coalition Events

Day of Silence
The Day of Silence is an annual student led event. On April 25th, Pacific University will take part in a nationwide protest against the discrimination, harassment, and bullying of the LGBT community. Participation only requires taking a vow of silence from 12 am to 5 pm. By joining in, you will help us echo the silence that LGBT students and their allies are forced into on a daily basis. Join us to show your solidarity and commitment to making Pacific a safer place for all of us. Look ahead for more news concerning Pacific University's participation in the Day of Silence, as well as plans for the Night of Noise.


CGE Staff Pick
CGE Staff Pick

“To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything!
Julie Newmar”

I LOVE this film. I watched it growing up and I honestly think it is a huge part of why I am so open-minded. It is the story of three drag queens, Noxeema Jackson (played by Wesley Snipes), Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) road-tripping across America to a drag contest in Los Angeles. Noxeema and Vida, the more experienced drag queens, decide that Chi-Chi has a ways to go before she is a “true” drag queen. So they decide to award her “princess points” when she does something in true drag queen fashion.
Their car breaks down in small-town America and the three are stuck there waiting for a car part to arrive. As they get to know the people in the town they end up changing the lives of everyone living there. They teach a woman to stick up to her abusive husband, help an old woman find her voice, set up couples that should have been together for years, give makeovers, and show the town that everyone deserves respect, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. This movie is a great, uplifting comedy about perseverence and the beauty of being different. I recommend everyone watch it at least once in their lifetime.

-Austyn McPherson

Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Gender Equity of Pacific University is to educate, advocate, and support gender equity to facilitate collaborative, humane, and sustainable University, local and global communities.

Vision Statement
The board, staff and volunteers of the Center for Gender Equity advocate a feminist paradigm shift to embarce and promote gender, cultural and racial equity; economic and social justice; and the intellectual and cultural growth of Pacific University students, faculty and staff, and the surrounding community. Programs and projects reflect and affirm the following values:

  • The inherent worth and dignity of each person
  • Justice, equity and compassion in all human relations
  • The right of conscience
  • Shared power and responsibility
  • Shared information access
  • Community building
  • Respect for the interconnected web of life
  • The non-violent resolution of conflicts
The CGE is located in Drake House
Drop by the Center and check out our library and other resources.

1:00-2:00 on Tuesday and Thursday
9:30-10:30 on Wednesday

(503) 352-2044
www.pacificu.edu

Center for Gender Equity