Members of Liberation in Progress, The University of Akron’s feminist group, have had complaints brought against them for alleged sexual harassment during their campus-wide bake sales, where chocolate vulvas are sold.

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Members of Liberation in Progress, The University of Akron’s feminist group, have had complaints brought against them for alleged sexual harassment during their campus-wide bake sales, where chocolate vulvas are sold.

The student group was yelled at and forced to leave the Polsky Building, home of Summit College, during Fall semester 2010 by various female UA employees. A sexual harassment claim was then brought against the group by an unknown source, claiming that someone in the vicinity of their table made derogatory comments.

Liberation in Progress was informed by Student Judicial Affairs to document what people say around them and to call the police if faculty members are harassing them. They were also informed that if charges were brought against them again that they would have to go to trial despite the initial claims continuing to go unverified.

It is because we are feminists that people are harassing us, said Lindsay Newton, senior psychology major and current president of Liberation in Progress. We don’t know what to do. Can you see this happening to College Republicans?

Various faculty members and administrators on campus are working to prevent Liberation in Progress from selling chocolate vulvas and distributing condoms and information about safe sex and gender equality.

Possible people who need this information are not getting it because of those people, said Newton. The chocolate vulvas are about engaging in conversation and demystifying the female body. Ignoring it opens it up for assault.

Liberation in Progress believes they are being discouraged as a student group by a very verbal minority, to the detriment of students on campus.

I don’t have a problem with people coming up and disagreeing with us, Newton said, but this is an academic setting; people should be up for engaging in a discussion.

As a member of the Polsky family, I am happy to see that Polsky is included in the scheduling of events and student activities that are on the main campus. What I thought was a bit over-the-top was the calling out of the products that were on the tables; I did not think it necessary to indicate what was being sold until someone approached the table, said Dr. Charlotte L. Burrell, assistant to the Dean of Summit College.

Burrell went on to say, All student organizations are welcome to Polsky, but it must be understood that this building not only houses students, but there are community persons who come for Audiology, Graduate School information and parents accompanying Akron Early High School students. We ask that all organizations practice discretion when occupying tables in the Atrium of the Polsky building.

The group’s mission statement includes a commitment to promote the advancement of positive body image, coexistence, and safe, positive sexual expression.

Rosa Githiora, Interim Programming Director, states that, The Women’s Resource Center supports L.I.P. Service’s diligence, tenacity and self-sufficiency in running their own gender-based programs fighting for issues of social equity and equality as well as their fundraising initiatives, where they made direct contributions to The Rape Crisis Centers of Summit and Medina Counties as well as The Battered Women’s Shelter. The Women’s Resource Center also appreciates their consistent and professional support of all programs run by The Women’s Resource Center throughout Women’s History Month.