The administration's position on the Vagina Monologues

The Feb. 7, 2002, issue of The Cowl carried an article indicating that students from the organization, Women's Will, will stage a production of the controversial Vagina Monologues on the campus of Providence College in March. The article indicated that Student Services denied Women's Will permission to perform the Monologues last year because the behavior and lifestyles it portrays in a positive light and the vulgar language it uses conflict with the ideals and values of Providence College. The article also noted that because "the show is sponsored by an academic department rather than an administrative department, it now falls under the category of academic freedom…"

Authored by Eve Ensler and based on the experiences of various women she interviewed, the Vagina Monologues endorses some behaviors and lifestyles that are opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church. One of the objectives of the college's educational program, explicitly affirmed by the faculty in their Handbook, is "the development of ethics and values informed by the teachings of Catholicism and the Dominican Order." Much of the content of the Vagina Monologues runs counter to this educational objective and does not reflect the spiritual and moral values embodied in the Mission Statement of Providence College.

On the basis of the College's Mission and Objectives, the Administration has the right to prohibit the performance of the Vagina Monologues. On this occasion, the Administration has made a prudential decision not to do so. However, it must be clear that the Administration neither supports the performance of the Monologues nor condones any material that sanctions or promotes behavior or lifestyles contrary to the Mission Statement of Providence College or the teachings of the Catholic Church. In addition, college funds will not be used in any way to promote or support the production of the play.