Chapman limits size of ‘Clothesline Project’: annual event draws attention to sexual violence
Photo Courtesy of The Panther Archives and Dr. Dani Smith
Every year around this time, hundreds of color-coded t-shirts have appeared on Chapman University’s campus, hanging from clothesline strings, carrying powerful messages from survivors and their stories. It's called the Clothesline Project, and for 29 years its been drawing students, staff, and neighboring residents attention to the effects of sexual violence. But this year, just two days before the shirts would be hung, the club behind the event learned that Chapman had severely restricted the scope of the annual event.
Photo Courtesy of The Panther Archives and Dr. Dani Smith
This year’s clothesline project would be restricted to a single 30 foot by 20 stretch of campus, which would reduce the number of shirts from 800 to 15.
“I was told that the project couldn’t be a large display. For me it is shameful that they couldn’t make an exception for a project that has been here for 29 years,” shared Smith. “This project is about empowering and protecting students and educating them. When people read the shirts, it is an educating and empowering experience. It allows for people to be heard.”
“One of the hallmarks of the project is that you want to put it out there, that is the statement of the project: of the importance of its occurrence and how often it happens in the world, not just on our campus. Each shirt represents a real person with a real story, and when alumni come back to see their shirt, you see the progression of healing,” said Smith. “Survivors aren’t encouraged to talk about it, and this project exists to give a voice and to show that we need to do something about it.”
Smith has worked with events operations in the past and has previously switched the location of the Clothesline Project installation from the Attalah Piazza to General Springs, the area in front of Irvine Lecture Hall. This change was made for students to avoid the event if they wanted to. Nevertheless, this year has presented new policy requirements and now this location is no longer allowed, requiring the project to be moved once more to the piazza where it is permitted. Yet due to its high demand, there was no longer space for the event to take place this semester.
Dean of Students Jerry Price declined to comment on the new restrictions, saying he was not “directly involved in the discussions.” Chris Hutchinson, Associated Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Students, said he was "not involved with the Clothesline Project, nor was (he a) a part of the decision to postpone it." A spokesperson for the Office of Events Management also declined to comment on the new restrictions and suggested speaking with Dani Smith.
This project is not only important for the C.A.R.E.S. club, but, it is a hallmark event that has impacted many students throughout campus, and its absence has taken note.
“I think Chapman's decision to delay the Clothesline Project until the spring, while likely based on other logistical considerations, is frustrating for those who view the project as a vital platform for advocacy and giving survivors a voice on campus,” said Emma Villegas, a junior strategic and corporate communication major. “The Clothesline Project is a very urgent and necessary platform for raising awareness and these are crucial conversations to have on a university campus.”
“To me, the Clothesline Project represents the importance of giving everyone a voice and a space to be seen and heard. You really never know what someone has gone through until you read the shirts,” said Villegas. “I’ve seen how hard CU Cares and Dani Smith work to bring this project to life, and with all the shirts created, it shows just how essential it is for the campus to support initiatives like this.”
C.A.R.E.S. member Kelly Henley, a sophomore double major in accounting and business administration, has a personal connection to the project and was very disappointed by its postponement.
“I think they are not realizing how important this is for students. It is not a display, it is an event. It is for students to tell their story in a way where they don't feel challenged, and the fact that they restricted it by a policy is extremely hurtful,” said Henley. “I am a survivor myself, that is how I met Dani. I had a shirt and my dad was going to come, I had to tell him the event was not going to happen. The C.A.R.E.S. department and the clothesline project was one of the reasons why I picked Chapman. I came to visit campus while the project was happening and I realized it was something I wanted to be a part of.”
Henley believes that the most impacted by the postponement of the project will be the freshman class.
“They are not (going to) be aware that there is a safe space to talk about it. We can talk about C.A.R.E.S. and Dr. Smith, but without seeing it visually at the project, they are not going to know about the safe space that exists on campus. Everyone needs to know that it happens and that there are people on campus that you can go to. We can't tell them that we are here to listen and be there for them, and most importantly, believe them,” stated Henley. “I’m scared because if they could take away the clothesline project so easily, what’s next?”
The Clothesline Project has now been moved to the Attallah Piazza and will take place on Feb. 19 during the spring semester.
Chapman publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report that offers a comprehensive overview of crime and safety incidents both on campus and in the surrounding area. This year's report indicated that there were 14 incidents of fondling and 9 incidents of rape related to sexual offenses, occurring both on and off campus.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can contact C.A.R.E.S. or Dani Smith for any mental or additional support at dasmith@chapman.edu.
