The Orbis

Campus groups fill the void in university programming on sexual assault

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Vanderbilt has a long way to go towards honestly addressing the problem of sexual violence on campus. While our school is unique in having established an independent Women's Center in 1978, which is a great resource for students, faculty and staff, the initiatives of the Women's Center alone cannot work without cooperation from the administration to foster broader student awareness about sexual assault.

Vanderbilt's Rape Crisis

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

According to a recent piece in the Tennessean, over the past year Vanderbilt has had the highest number of reported rapes on campus out of all universities in Tennessee.

Most students who read this article may have initially concluded that the incidence of rape and sexual assault at Vanderbilt had suddenly increased drastically.

April note from the editor

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In this final issue of Orbis for the 2007-2008 academic year, we feature a three-page section addressing Vanderbilt's sexual assault problem. Vanderbilt must take further action to not only make sexual assault less prevalent through prevention and education, but to reform its conduct policy to make seeking redress for sexual assault a viable reality for more victims.

"Queer Science": The search for the "gay gene"

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Simon LeVay, a renowned neurologist and researcher of human sexuality, gave his "Queer Science" presentation on campus last month as part of the Vanderbilt Lambda Association's Rainbow ReVU week. LeVay spoke about research into the biological basis of sexual orientation, and also addressed the ethical implications of such research.

Angela Davis: "We are not now living the dream"

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Davis speaks about Martin Luther King, Jr.'s forgotten legacy of social justice.

Celebrating May Day

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

What is May Day? In virtually every country except the United States, the first of May is celebrated as International Workers' Day. It is marked by celebrations, marches, parades and demonstrations in honor of the achievements of labor and working-class movements all over the globe.

Walcutt and Merrion take home Hamblet art awards

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This year's Margaret Stonewall Woolridge Hamblet Award winner and runner-up are not your average art students. The competition for the award, which funds a year of travel and art-making and culminates in a show at Vanderbilt, is open to all seniors with a major or minor in Studio Art.

Taking the short bus to sexual satisfaction

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Achieving orgasm is hard for women, but accepting this fact is the first step to a more satisfying sex life.

Thoughts written on napkins

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Leaving Vanderbilt does not mean forgetting the campus issues that I care about: living wage, sexual assault, and other other policies that directly affect students, faculty, and staff.

Beijing 2008 Olympics

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

While China's human rights violations are grievous, boycotts and protests are not the solution. The pressure of foreign media in the country will ultimately do more to reform China than would have been possible without the olympics.

Texas police raid FLDS political compound

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Patience and sensitivity were necessary if police wanted to root out abuse at Yearning for Zion, a polygamist FLDS compound. Instead, the bungled raid will discourage victims from coming forward in the future and will impede efforts to help those who need it.

"Pornography: What's the big deal?"

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

"Empowering? Immoral? Obscene? Violent? Sexist? Entertaining? What do you think? Pornography�What's the big deal?" These questions appeared on posters advertising a discussion on pornography with educator and activist Rus Funk on April 8 sponsored by the Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center and Project Safe.

Should sex work be legalized?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Should sex work be legalized?

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT