Vol. XXII, No. 3
CABRINI COLLEGE, RADNOR, PA.
November 14, 1975
Wanted:
Frederic Storaska:
ProfessionalRape Prevention by Joan Buonanno and Janet Gennaro Frederic Storaska, founder of the National Organization for the Prevention of Rape and Assault , presented his program on rape prevention at a lecture on Wednesday evening, October 22, in the gymnasium at Cabrini. He divided his presentation into two parts ; in the first part he indicated that the myths and solutions concerning rape are ridiculous, and in the second part he discussed his strategies for preventing rape . Storaska stated that society produces rapists by its attitude; sexual responsibility is on the woman and pressure to achieve is put on the man . The woman is thought of as being passive, the man aggressive. Each falls prey to the double standard . Rape is not only a bodily attack but also a mental attack causing humiliation and deprivation of the human right of choice. As he points out, nothing a woman does, says , or wears execuses or justifie s a "man divor cing himself from the human race and acting as an animal." His humor added to the attentiveness of the audience . However, Storaska stated, "I use a lot of humor in my presentation but I never make fun of rape ." He felt that this sort of atmosphere was the best vehicle for retention . His main objection to other programs against rape is that they "instill fear," According to Storaska, "When you instill fear in people, you kill them through ignorance ." The main objective of his program is to in-
still confidence in women so that they can prevent rape . Storaska objects to a woman screaming when she is attacked ; it is an antagonistic action and the rapist may become violent. He does not advocate struggling ; he calls it "an erotic movement" that the rapist enjoys . Weapons are not valid unless they are available . This is a problem since the victim is often taken by surprise or is limited by the amount of time she has to act . He recommended everyone to take a course in the Martial Arts, particularly Karate, but complains that Americans have no time for this. Storaska also proposed a couple of defense techniques for cambating the assaulter : Frederic Storaska believes a rape victim's greatest weapon is her brain. He stated several examples where victims treated their attacker "as a person," something which the rapist does not expect. As a result, these women did not get raped . Storaska concluded his pre sentation by emphasizing, "Whatever you do, you must make sure that if it does not help you, it does not harm you either. " He went on to say, "Don't feel guilty to do what you feel necessary, whether submission or some form of harm ." His ideal was "to plant the seeds of other approaches" in our minds so as to employ the maximum of options at the minimum of failures. Storaska's final word was that a rapist is almost never able to rape if he perceives his victim as a person .
CollegepresidenttravelsRometo studyfounder by Mary Jane Wenk The life of a "Pioneer Italian Immigrant," Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, will be explored by Cabrini College President, Sister Mary Louise Sullivan. A special administrative leave for study in Rome, granted by the Board of Trustees of the College, will provide for the release of the president from her campus duties during November, December and January.
Dr . Dorothy Brown, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, will be assuming "full executive authority" in addition to her present duties during the president's absence . Sister Mary Louise foresees little difficulty with this arrangement . College trustees and the president's secretaries will also be providing assistance . November, Sister Mary Louise explained, could be a little hectic for the Dean who would need to represent the president in off-<:ampus State and Federal conferences , but December's social activities and January's interim period should be less burdensome. Above all, Sister did say that she "will miss Christmas at Cabrini." Yet, for Sister Mary Louise, this is a long awaited opportunity to work on her continually disrupted dissertation project. As early as 1972, Sister Mary Louise finished her course work at Bryn Mawr College where she is a doctoral candidate. She spent the next summer in Rome resear-
ching Revisionist Historiography of the 1930's . This earnest venture ended in disappointment for Sister when she learned on her arrival home, that this topic had recently been completed by another graduate student . Discouraged, Sister Mar y Louise was ready to forsake her graduate studies . To add to her burdens Sister was unexpectedly appointed president of the college that year . Upon encouragement to continue her doctoral work with a new topic, Sister Mary Louise decided, "in the upsurge of ethnic and women's history ," to do r esearch on the American Saint, Frances Xavier Cabrini, an innovative Italian immigrant. Believing this work could be done concurrently with her work at Cabrini, Sister set out on this project. Later, through research, she realized that much needed informative records and correspondence of Mother Cabrini could only be obtained in Rome through Vatican and immigration sources . Sister would have taken leave for this purpose this summer but commented that the Italian bureaucracy will be difficult enough to deal with, without risking the problem of vacationing Italian officials. Sister Mary Louise feels a record of Frances Cabrini's life of resourceful dedication to the plight of Italian immigrants can do much to fill in yet undocumented history of the early years of Italians in this country .
SPACE
for students
Frederic Stora ska: "A rape greatest weapon is her brain.
victim's
Admissions requirements: How do youget in? According to Mrs. Estelle Oristaglio , Director of Admissions at Cabrini College , candidate sele ction for admi ssion to the college is based on academic records, character, personal qualities, motivation, and activities. ¡ While all data is carefully evaluated as a whole , the high school record is given the most consideration. The class rank is significant, and the student should be in the top half or three-fifths of the graduating class. A student, upon applying to Cabrini, must have a general average in high school of at least 80 per cent, or the particular high school's college recommending mark, which varies from school to school. Also important is the fact that the general average is broken down into areas for English, mathematics, sciences , and social studies. A student interested in English as a major may have an average of 90 in English, but a science average of 75; the English average is more significant in this case. The Scholastic Aptitude Test is required of all applicants . It is the one common measure available for all applicants, and under ideal conditions it should measure a student's math and verbal aptitude. However, many things can influence a student's performance on the SAT, and the results are judged in light of other information on the applicant's file. ¡ The applicant's personal characteristics are important . All transcripts include evaluations and recommendations by teachers and guidance counselors . As part of Cabrini's application, the guidance coun-selor is given a recommendation form where he may write a special comment or may check a simple list of ratings on the form . A student's activities and service in areas such as school, community, church, and special organizations, are given consideration. The Admissions Committee consists of (Continued on page 3)
The question of student facilities on campus is an old one. Countless hours have been _spent in innumerable committees discussing the whys and wherefores of the issue. Despite the time and effort expended, few results have been forthcoming. The traditional obstacles have been money and space. In the past, money has simply not been available for the things students wanted and needed . Additionally, even if the money was there the space was not. There are only so many things that our small number of buildings can house and it seems that they have already reached their limits. This year, we still have no additional buildings and the lack of money is more evident than ever . In spite of this, the Council of College Affairs once again addre ss ed itself to the facilities question in September . One new alternative was forthcoming. With regard to space problems , Dr . Dorothy Brown, Vice-Presiden t of Academic Affair s, proposed that a team of efficiency experts be called in to study our situation and make recommendations . As an adjunct to this study, it was decided that a survey should be conducted in order to ascertain what the college community wanted and needed in the area of facilities . The wording of the survey question was general. It invited suggestion and comment. Unfortunately, only 33 responses were received. Despite this, reactions were varied . Those who did respond suggested such things as more sports equipment, longer library hours and more public phones on campus. The front runners, numerically, were suggestions for a recreational lounge and a quiet study area . In viewing the results of the survey, Council decided that the individual proposals be divided into two categorie s. Some suggestions that seemed easily attainable would be acted on immediately . Others would be investigated further and would become long range goals. The recreational lounge was relegated to the latter category, as were suggestions for more parking space and more sports equipment . The quiet study lounge now exists in the library. The request for a clock in the commuter lounge was also promptly acted upon. Suggestions for more tables and chairs and a book and coat rack in the cafeteria, and a student snack bar were discussed with SAGA Food Service manager, Joe Fleming. Unfortunately, none of these goals were as easily attainable as originally anticipated. According to Fleming, there are no more tables and chairs available. If there are to be more, they must be purchased at a surprisingly high cost . There is also no existing book or coat rack. With regard to a student snack bar Fleming was also negative. The idea was tried last year and it was a dismal failure. Initially, the snack machine brought in over $60 a week . Thi s figur~ soon plummeted to less than $10 a (Continued on page 3)
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