A year ago the University community was engaged in a debate over academic freedom. The campus performance of "The Vagina Monologues" was the focal point of that debate. As an alum I welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the discussion and offered my thoughts in a letter to University President Father John Jenkins. I suggested then that Notre Dame could and should offer so much more to the discussion surrounding violence against women than an annual performance of "Monologues" could provide. I suggested a broader "conference" setting which could include a variety of opportunities for dialogue, including not only the "The Vagina Monologues" but also the Edith Stein Project and others yet to be identified.
Well, last fall an original production called "Her Loyal Daughters" was offered in an academic setting. The Edith Stein Project returns for its second year next week. And "Monologues" will be offered off campus next month. I believe that academic freedom is alive and well at Notre Dame, and the topic of violence against women is getting more and more attention that it certainly deserves. Well done, Notre Dame.
Jack Fremeau
alumnus
Class of 1971
Feb. 16
