Sssscandal!

Marisa Demarco [ Wed Apr 2 2008 12:21 PM ]

I’m a graduate of UNM’s English-creative writing department. This story in the Daily Lobo this morning hit me in the face like a bag of nails. Sharon Warner, the program’s director, is stepping down. Apparently, Lisa Chavez, an instructor, posed on an S&M website with some graduate students and didn’t get punished (enough?) for it. (There’s a punishment joke in here somewhere, but I’m not going for it.)

I’m a huge Lisa Chavez fan. I had a couple of classes with her and thought she was brilliant. Her poetry is often breathtaking. It’s clear to me that I don’t have an unbiased view of this situation.

But it seems to me that graduate students are not little kids. All have said they weren’t coerced or recruited to take the pictures. I’m not sure what all the fuss is about. I’m pretty sure I would feel the same way no matter who was involved.

Warner’s been with that department forever. Really? She’s going to step down over this?

What do you think?

Public Comments (11)

- Nick Brown
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If ever there were a need for a link [ Wed Apr 2 2008 12:59 PM ]

and, yes, you know exactly the link I'm talking about.
- WorldsApart
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Really [ Wed Apr 2 2008 1:02 PM ]

Link please.....
- nachodaddy
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this would be a problem [ Wed Apr 2 2008 1:48 PM ]

if the students were preschool students but graduate students? give me a break! my question is what was the director doing on an S&M site if that is not her thing????
- sloppy
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All I can think of .. [ Wed Apr 2 2008 2:46 PM ]

.. is that maybe it's not about the S&M, but rather the posing-together, which implies something about the relationship between the instructor and students. It creates the appearance of a possible conflict of interest. "Ooooh, you brought me a riding crop; you're getting an A."
- marisa
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Oh [ Wed Apr 2 2008 2:53 PM ]

you mean this link?
[link]
- jaybee
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Should NOT resign [ Wed Apr 2 2008 4:26 PM ]

I too am a UNM alumni. Bus. not writin'.
But I believed as a student and I believe now, that Universities (Capital U) should be places for the free exchange of ideas.
Even if I did not like some of Berthold's commentary, I would fight to the death for his right to air them.
Colleges are a place where adults go to learn to think critically and independently. And College (capital C) professors should not be asked / forced to resign for the expression(s) of ideas, e.t.c. that may be offensive to the Baptist Student Union or others.
College Professors should be given the opportunity (at all costs) to freely discuss their ideas. And as long as they are acting in good faith, are not trying to overthrow the government or abolish the constitution, their ideas should be protected (at least) if not glorified.
And I did not wish any bad light to be shed on the Baptist Student Union by my above reference to them. I used t he name of the organization as a reference only as the Union is probably offended b y the particular material mentioned.
- WorldsApart
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Without pictures [ Wed Apr 2 2008 4:44 PM ]

This post is worthless.....
- Greenley
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Not disappointed [ Thu Apr 3 2008 9:48 AM ]

I actually wasn't disappointed by your link, marisa. Sad on many levels.
- pleiades
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Two words [ Thu Apr 3 2008 10:35 AM ]

Consenting adults. More than two words- in situations like these, I always ask myself what would be the outcome if this happened in, say, France or Italy.
- jerry
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Here are some links [ Thu Apr 10 2008 4:10 PM ]

All words, I'm afraid:
Sexual crusade likely at the University of New Mexico
Lisa Chavez speaks out
- pleiades
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Thanks, Jerry [ Thu Apr 10 2008 4:27 PM ]

this situation deserves that light.