March 11, 2005

To the Editor
The Boston Herald

The Herald’s knee-jerk decision to sensationalize a story about a Saturday night party on our campus is yet another example of the homophobia that for decades has been the stereotypic response when women gather in groups or express their strength and solidarity.

If 11 individuals at a coeducational college or university in the Boston area were taken to medical facilities for observation and then released because they drank too much at a big party, it would not even receive a mention in your paper. Why then a front-page banner headline about this occurrence at Wellesley?

Last Saturday’s party was attended by some 1,800 Boston-area students (including a great many male guests) who represent a remarkable range of backgrounds and identities. Wellesley takes great pride in the diversity of our students and in our ranking among the nation’s top colleges in both diversity and educational excellence. Indeed our diversity is an element of our excellence. Sexual orientation is one of many dimensions of human diversity and, like many other institutions, we work hard to ensure that every student on our campus is treated respectfully and honorably and valued for who she is.

Of course, binge drinking is a serious health concern to us, as it is to every college and university in the country. At Wellesley, student safety is a top priority and, for this reason, major parties such as last weekend’s are, as a matter of policy, alcohol-free. Administrators, campus police, and students act promptly to ensure that anyone who appears intoxicated receives appropriate medical care. As a result of the medical emergencies last weekend, the administration has suspended large parties until we and our students can ensure safer pre-party behavior.

The Herald made little effort before running a huge front-page headline, to ascertain the basic facts of this story. Had you done so, you would have learned that the party was a typical college social event, which happened to be sponsored by the gay-straight alliance that exists on virtually every college and high school campus to support the subset of students who are gay and lesbian. The real story here is irresponsible journalism. For our part, Wellesley College stands proudly and securely on our successful history of promoting appreciation of differences -- in all forms -- and educating intelligent, compassionate, and confident women.

Diana Chapman Walsh
President
Wellesley College

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