Thread: Providence College: Youth for Western Civilization Defeated

First article followed by "YWC Censored at Providence College" by Tm Dionisopoulos, who evidently is the student organizer. I was not sure what forum to post this in.

Youth for Western Civilization Defeated

Meghan Conway '12
Issue date: 12/10/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Matt Longobardi '10

Over 100 students attended the Student Congress meeting on Tuesday, during which the voting members of Congress voted down legislation that would have made Youth for Western Civilization a proposed club, 16 to 12. Congress hotly debated the proposed club at last week's meeting. A specific issue was first raised at the Dec. 1 meeting was the appearance of Providence College as a chapter of the national organization on the YWC Web site before Congress had officially sanctioned it. Other members of Congress opposed the group.

"I would like to remind everyone that this is about my club and this campus, and it should not be about any personal grievances that you have with our ideology or with us on a personal level," said Tim Dionisopoulos '11. "This is about the issues at stake and whether we can improve this school, which I believe we can. I would like to stick to the topics that have some meat to them, as opposed to gossip." Dionisopoulos said that he would like to bring speakers to campus to speak to students such as political figures. The discussion then turned to issues of Youth for Western Civilization's affiliation with the National Chapter of YWC.

"I think PC students' memberships to the national organization should be independent of Providence College," said Skye Hawkins '12. "If Tim [Dionisopoulos] were willing to disassociate his group from the national organization of Youth for Western Civilization, I would urge Congress to put forth a new piece of legislation which would state this distinction."

Dionisopoulos opposed the suggestion. "First off, I really can't accomplish any goals with my organization without affiliation with the National Youth for Western Civilization because we wouldn't get any speakers, funding, or connections," said Dionisopoulos. "They have never done anything wrong and have been well behaved on every single campus. We cannot be an effective organization if we don't have national affiliation." Dionisopoulos then spoke of the club's longevity. "We have six members here tonight and a lot of freshman support," said Dionisopoulos. "We have a lot of members on our Facebook page?23 plus?and we're hoping to grow once we can finally work with SAIL."

Some students felt uncomfortable with YWC's mission statement. On the national Web site under the "Our Mission" page it says, "We have the self-evident right and duty to work for the survival of our own culture and civilization…There is no reason to believe that the advances of modernity and the political freedoms we enjoy will endure with the extinction of the civilization that allowed them to exist. Western Civilization is our civilization and in spite of the continual assault and hatred it endures from the radical left, we wish to revive the West, rather than see our civilization be sent to the graveyard of history." "I started this organization to combat and talk about issues that weren't being intellectually discerned upon in any other organizations," said Dionisopoulos. "Something like multiculturalism has a lot of ethical implications, it's a big issue. I don't know where the allegations about white supremacists comes from. We are here to help people understand that as a civilization we share some common traits and common problems."

Providence College graduate student Jonathan Paquette discussed how the group would treat Islam. "We are actually quite interested in discussing the relationship between the Muslim world and what we understand to be the western world," said Paquette. "We are not in any way ethnically or culturally monolithic, and everyone is welcome to join. We are more of an intellectual group than anything else. We are mostly rightist, but are not exclusionary and would not ban a Muslim member if they joined."

Jasiel Correia '13 opposed YWC's becoming an official club. "I feel that this truly does not go along with the mission statement of our college," said Correia. "We are a college that wants to foster a relationship between cultures, not to discuss them and put them down."

Zach Odachowski '11 added to this point, contributing statistical background on YWC. "I did some research and I counted 4,146 colleges in the entire U.S. and only eight have the YWC program, if you don't count our phantom member," said Odachowski. "What is this going to do for us in the long run in terms of recruiting students, teachers, athletes, alumni relations? Doesn't having PC on that list show complete disregard for Student Congress and the school itself? "

Not all students felt that the group was in violation of the College's mission. Katrina Lapinsky '12 took a different standpoint on the organization. "I think this club has a possibility to bring some educational enrichment to this campus," said Lapinksy. "I see students here who aren't normally active on this campus and are finally participating…If Tim [Dionisopoulos] and his group are being truthful about what they want to accomplish, I think that it can bring something to PC that we don't have. However, I think minorities on this campus are worried for their safety because of the stigma of this organization and I think safety needs to be highlighted. I think the way the group is being proposed right now doesn't necessarily make the student body feel safe and there are a number of ways this can be fixed, like possibly removing itself from national organization."

Tim Fleming '11 questioned Dionisopoulos' refusal to create a YWC chapter which was not affiliated with the national organization.

"If rumors of racism are not true, what is your issue with divorcing from the national organization?" he asked. "If your main goal is to celebrate and educate on western culture, why would you want to associate with a group that has such a negative image?"

"As I've said countless times, the national organization always behaves itself," said Dionisopoulos. "The rumors are baseless and have proven to be baseless. Additionally, the national organization is where the networking comes in and the ability to bring in speakers who would enrich the campus life." After responding to several questions, Dionisopoulos needed to leave the Congress meeting early. Discussion of the club continued without him. After some confusion, Paquette was left answered questions for the YWC in Dionisopoulos' place.

"I think it speaks to the longevity of the group that we have no one to answer a question [after Dionisopoulos left]," said Tom Cotter '10. Jacquie DeSisto '10 asked after Dionisopoulos' departure if YWC would be willing to work with the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs [BMSA]. "I did not know BMSA existed until two seconds ago when it was mentioned," said Paquette. "What is it, honestly? I think the celebration of western culture would definitely fit under this multicultural bracket. Don't take what I'm saying the wrong way, I'm a master's student and don't know that much about the undergraduate culture. I don't have fangs, I'm actually quite nice."

Angela Marathakis, academic skills specialist at Providence College, expressed her concern with the club in terms of students feeling safe. "I was asked to come here by some of my own student athletes who feel threatened by this club on campus," said Marathakis. "So, I want you to know that there are a lot of people who feel uncomfortable with this on campus."

Marathakis was not the only person to express a fear for safety on campus. "As a woman of color and a daughter of immigrants, I feel highly uncomfortable with this group and on this campus," said Naomi Brown- Jones '11. "To already have to struggle so much as a person who looks like me in a classroom daily, I don't appreciate having to struggle against a group in my extracurricular activities that has stigmas like this. On this campus I want people to welcome me and foster my growth."

The members of Youth for Western Civilization did not respond to the comment.

Andraya Pulaski '10, executive president of Student Congress, made a remark before holding the vote.

"I applaud the political discussions you want to have and I think it's a noble idea to get students involved in controversial issues," said Pulaski. "But personally, in evaluating these points I don't think this club fulfills any other need that isn't already fulfilled on campus."

Paquette made a closing statement before the vote. "By shutting us down, by confining us to the shadows, aren't you really just telling us to 'shut up and go away?'" said Paquette. "I think you should be a little bit more grown up than that." Following Paquette's remarks a motion to vote was approved, and the proposed legislation was voted down to a round of applause.

http://media.www.thecowl.com/media/stor ... 83.shtml#4


YWC Censored at Providence College

Featured
By Tim Dionisopoulos on Monday, 14 December 2009

If I were the conventional college student, during my undergraduate years I probably would be keeping my mouth shut, paying open-jawed homage to everything my professors say, and joining a few benign clubs to boost my résumé. I was already an "individual of interest" on campus, but I was officially deemed persona non grata once I took the plunge and attempted to start up a chapter of Youth for Western Civilization.

Providence College, an ostensibly Catholic institution, seemed to me like a perfect fit for a chapter of Youth for Western Civilization since the school already requires a 20-credit, two semester course on Western Civilization and has received top ratings from the conservative Cardinal Newman Society. I was wrong.

The first sign of trouble was when our group's request to bring former Congressman Tom Tancredo to campus for a speech on the topic of illegal immigration was rejected by the college without any legitimate reason. Congressman Tancredo defiantly decided to come anyways and gave a speech at the gates of Providence College which resulted in great deal of media coverage.

As the start of the 2009-2010 school year drew near, I contacted the members of Student Congress and attempted to have our chapter officially recognized. By becoming an officially recognized club, we would have the ability to book rooms, host events on campus and generally convey our point of view to other students in a respectable fashion. Despite numerous delays, including changes to the club recognition process while we were in media res, the members of our chapter patiently waited for nine months in order to get a hearing. After various administrators determined that our mission statement did not conflict with that of the college, the process dictated we would be put before two full sessions of Student Congress.

These two meetings with Student Congress could justifiably be likened to the Salem witch trials, as every possible rumor was deemed truth, every lie as true as gold, and every accusation beyond the pale of doubt. The few sane voices in the room were drowned out by the mass of ill-informed leftists who were on a divine mission from the gods of multiculturalism to prevent our club from receiving a fair hearing.

This farce included administrators arriving to claim that our mere presence on campus would be intimidating to the student athlete population on campus and would dissuade further recruits from wanting to attend Providence College. Additionally, a self-described woman of color protested that "to already have to struggle so much as a person who looks like me in a classroom daily, I don't appreciate having to struggle against a group in my extracurricular activities that has stigmas like this." These and other absurd indictments continued until, eventually, the feel-good culture of the accusatory echo chamber reigned and Student Government voted us down, pausing only to applaud their own courage.

What is most significant about this whole ordeal is that Student Congress was even given the power to vote us down. In order to become an officially recognized group on campus, we needed two-thirds approval of the notoriously left-leaning Student Congress members. In other words, Providence Student Congress is vested with the power of de facto censorship of any political opinions they disagree with. This power can be considered nothing other than John Stuart Mill's "tyranny of the majority" and is an affront to the entire American political tradition.

If an unscrupulous band of college-aged bureaucrats has the authority on a college campus to determine which political opinions can and cannot be heard and which groups of students are and are not allowed to organize in defense of their culture, what can be said about that campus's devotion to intellectual and moral integrity? If these practices of censorship and suppression are present in the very place where, if anywhere, students are supposed to hear both sides of issues and decide where they stand for themselves, what are we to think about the devotion to truth that is said to be fundamental to our education?

"Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such Thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech." - Benjamin Franklin, 1722

http://www.westernyouth.org/articles/yw ... e-college/

Welcome, Timmy, to the real world outside your hallowed halls of higher learning.

Yet, the following clubs are apparently ok at Providence College:

Language/Cultural Clubs

The Board of Multicultural Student Affairs at Providence College is a student-based organization that represents all of the cultural societies on campus. The individual clubs, and the B.M.S.A. as a whole, encourage all students to share in each other's rich cultural backgrounds in a manner that is educational and respectful, yet fun and stimulating. In addition, the B.M.S.A. assists the cultural societies in their day-to-day functions and also helps to coordinate and promote club events.

African-American Society / Amigos Unidos / Asian American Club / Circolo Italiano / Clube Portugues / French Club / Gaelic Society / Irish Dance Club / Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA)

African-American Society
The mission of the African American Society is to educate the community on the diversity of the African American culture, its history and to bring ethnic awareness to Providence College.

Amigos Unidos
Amigos Unidos is Providence College's Latin student organization which celebrates the history and diversity of the many Latin cultures. Our goal is to help the campus become aware of Latin culture through different activities, both on and off campus. Some examples of the activities we hold are the Latino Expo, dinners at local restaurants, Latin Club Nights, dance lessons, family dinners and much more! We are always on the lookout for new members!

Asian American Club
The purpose of the Asian American Club is to educate the Providence College community about the diverse and rich traditions of the various Asian cultures represented on campus. The club promotes cultural acceptance among all groups at PC by hosting a series of events, fundraisers and banquets, open for the entertainment of both the campus and the local community.

Circolo Italiano
Circolo Italiano is a diverse group of passionately committed citizens of the world that promote and facilitate the learning of Italy and its culture. The club has a keen interest in exploring Italian culture, values and beliefs. They meet to discuss, enlighten and share our individual stories and discernments. We are bound by our love for Italy, all of its people, and influenced throughout the world.

Clube Portugues
Clube Português is a student organization dedicated to sharing and celebrating the Portuguese culture with the Providence College community. We encourage all students to become involved and to participate in club events which are designed to explore varying aspects of our Iberian heritage. As a member of the Board of Multicultural Student Affairs (B.M.S.A.), Clube Português also promotes cultural awareness and invites students, faculty, and staff to learn more about our world community.

French Club
In order to enhance the learning of foreign languages and cultures, the Department of Modern Languages sponsors the French Club to promote learning and appreciation of the French culture, language and history. Membership is open to all Providence College students.

Gaelic Society
The Gaelic Society of Providence College exists to generate and stimulate the interest of the College community in Gaelic culture through social and cultural activities, which shall be in accordance with the mission and goals of Providence College.

Irish Dance Club
Initiated in 2005, the the club continues to grow. In its first two years, the club has approximately 30 members, and over 60 students have participated in events and practices. The club encourages new members to join!

Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA)
MESA is PC's Middle Eastern Student Association. Anyone of Middle Eastern heritage or who has an interest in the Middle East is encouraged to join. The purpose of the club is to promote and celebrate Middle Eastern culture throughout the PC campus. We plan many activities including lectures, coffeehouses, masses and expos.

http://www.providence.edu/Student+Li...e+Cultural.htm