Homecoming

Officials at St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) and Acadia University are condemning a sign displayed outside an off-campus home in Antigonish, N.S., during StFX’s homecoming weekend, saying it perpetuates rape culture and encourages sexual violence against women.

The sign, which reads “Drop-off zone: Acadia girlfriends,” prompted statements from StFX vice-president of student life Elizabeth Yeo, president and vice-chancellor Andy Hakin, and Acadia University’s president and vice-chancellor Jeff Henesy.

It’s not clear why the sign targets Acadia University students. There were no varsity games taking place on campus against the University of Wolfville, N.S., on Saturday.

A photo of the sign was first posted on Facebook over the weekend by StFX professor and chair of Mathematics and Statistics Tara Taylor, who has since removed her post.

Since then, the image has been reposted across social media, gathering hundreds of responses.

StFX posted two statements

The first statement was shared by Yeo on the university’s Facebook page on Saturday afternoon, where she described the sign as “offensive.”

She said the university is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and “will take appropriate action with those involved.”

“While Homecoming is a time for celebration, school spirit and friendly rivalry, there are clear boundaries around what is acceptable,” said Yeo. “Conduct that demeans, objectifies or disrespects others has no place in the StFX community.”

She added that students found to have violated the university’s code of conduct will be held accountable and face disciplinary action through StFX’s disciplinary process

While many commentators were grateful to see StFX address the issue, some believe Yeo’s statement did not properly acknowledge why the sign was offensive.

On Sunday morning, the university issued a second statement, this one signed by President Andrew Hakin.

Hakin said in the statement that perpetuation of rape culture will not be tolerated at StFX.

He called the sign displayed “degrading and deeply concerning.”

“Language that objectifies women or makes light of sexualized violence has no place at StFX or in any community,” he said. “We understand the concern and anger this has caused, both within our own community and beyond it. StFX unequivocally rejects misogyny, sexualized and gender-based violence, and the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to rape culture.”

Hakin said the university intervened to have the sign removed, adding that it had to intervene a second time when the sign was hung again.

He said the matter has been referred to go through the university’s disciplinary process.

“Preventing further harm was an important part of our response,” he added.

Hakin also said StFX will continue to work to prevent sexualized and gender-based violence, support those who are affected by it and “build a community where respect, consent, and care for one another are expected.”

Acadia University statement

Acadia University’s president and vice-chancellor Jeff Hennessy, also shared a statement, where he described the sign as “encouraging sexual violence against Acadia students.”

“Acadia unequivocally stands against what happened and all other actions that normalize violence against women,” he said. “We join our colleagues at St. Francis Xavier University in condemning the events of this weekend and thank them for the strong stance they have taken against it.”

Hennessy added that what happened in Antigonish is a symptom of a society-wide problem, and that is their “collective responsibility as higher education institutions to speak out against violence against women and rape culture specifically.”

He said that the university will continue to enforce its sexualized violence response protocols, and encouraged students affected by this kind of violence to contact their sexualized violence response office for support.