Augustana College students marched across campus in support of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) program.
On Friday, May 2, members of the student group, Students Supporting Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (SSWGSS), organized a campus walkout during the common hour from 1-2 p.m.
Junior Marlee Oros is one of the founders of SSWGSS and a minor in WGSS. She said the group started in one of Augustana’s WGSS courses, Feminist Theory, taught by Professor of History Jane Simonsen, and consists of four other Augie students.
Oros said they are marching for more visibility of WGSS on campus and some demands for change within the program. One of these, she said, is to get an endowed chair to ensure WGSS will remain on campus as long as Augustana exists.
“And then our second demand is a joint tenure line for the WGSS program. Right now, WGSS doesn’t have a single faculty member fully dedicated to the study," Oros said. "So our faculty members are pulling from other majors and having to make time in their schedules to teach our classes."
Junior Maya Pagel is a WGSS major and said the program was part of the reason she chose Augustana. However, she said the college’s efforts are not matching the growth of the WGSS program, which is why she marched.
As a WGSS student, Pagel said she has personally felt the impact of classes being cancelled or not offered in the program due to the lack of tenure and funding. In light of the administration, she said colleges and universities nationwide must continue to speak up for their students and classmates.
“Departments like this, which put a specific emphasis on understanding our unique differences and diversities that exist on our campus and worldwide," Pagel said. "It’s just important that we kind of show administration and the powers that be, that we are here and we’re not gonna be silenced.”
Oros echoed this and said many view WGSS as a “political” area of study or that is a program just for women. But, she said that’s not the case and argues the program is important for all.
“WGSS is genuinely beneficial for anybody. Entering the workforce, entering life after college, just in general, and just to be a human being," Oros said. "WGSS teaches you how to communicate with people of all identities, and communication is of the utmost importance right now in our world.”
Despite the course only being a semester long, Oros said SSWGSS hopes to continue their work and advocacy on campus into next school year.
“Without WGSS, Augie would be less! Without WGSS, Augie would be less!”
