2008 Woodie Awards
T-shirts cause controversy on campus
Becky Kuschel
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
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A T-shirt handed out by Campus Book and Supply caused disgust to some on campus.
During the first week of classes, Campus Book and Supply, located off Division Street, gave away free T-shirts with a purchase of books.
The white cotton shirt created an uproar among some students and organizations on campus. The reason being are the three lines of text on the front that read, "I'm cheap, I'm used, I'm available."
Although the words are located directly above an image of a book, the meaning seems to vary among those who read it.
"It's talking about the person wearing it," said Kira Nelson, a senior marketing major. "It's disgusting."
Jared Fossum, also a marketing major and in his third year, said his reaction when first shown the shirt was that it was, "not what they are intending." Fossum said he believes there is another message people could pick up from it.
Both Nelson and Fossum claim they would not wear the shirt.
Derek Lossing, who works as a director of sales and marketing in a privately held business, and is in his last semester as a graduate business student, said he did not feel the same way.
"I would wear the shirt. It's a T-shirt marketing a bookstore. There is only a problem with the shirt if you are looking for a problem," Lossing said.
Lossing said he did not feel the shirt said anything about him personally when he wears it or that it is derogatory toward men or women.
"The bookstore was giving them to everyone shopping at the store, not just a specific demographic," Lossing said.
The Women's Center, along with other groups such as Women's Action, are taking steps against the message on the shirt.
"We did generate a petition for Mainstreet and gathered signatures that we will mail to Campus Book and Supply," said Jane Olsen, Women's Center director.
Olsen also sent a letter Tuesday to Campus Book and Supply expressing the center's views on the T-shirt.
"The message, 'I'm cheap, I'm used, I'm available,' sends the message that women and men are available for sex at any time and with anyone," Olsen said. "It's demeaning to both women and men."
During the first week of classes, Campus Book and Supply, located off Division Street, gave away free T-shirts with a purchase of books.
The white cotton shirt created an uproar among some students and organizations on campus. The reason being are the three lines of text on the front that read, "I'm cheap, I'm used, I'm available."
Although the words are located directly above an image of a book, the meaning seems to vary among those who read it.
"It's talking about the person wearing it," said Kira Nelson, a senior marketing major. "It's disgusting."
Jared Fossum, also a marketing major and in his third year, said his reaction when first shown the shirt was that it was, "not what they are intending." Fossum said he believes there is another message people could pick up from it.
Both Nelson and Fossum claim they would not wear the shirt.
Derek Lossing, who works as a director of sales and marketing in a privately held business, and is in his last semester as a graduate business student, said he did not feel the same way.
"I would wear the shirt. It's a T-shirt marketing a bookstore. There is only a problem with the shirt if you are looking for a problem," Lossing said.
Lossing said he did not feel the shirt said anything about him personally when he wears it or that it is derogatory toward men or women.
"The bookstore was giving them to everyone shopping at the store, not just a specific demographic," Lossing said.
The Women's Center, along with other groups such as Women's Action, are taking steps against the message on the shirt.
"We did generate a petition for Mainstreet and gathered signatures that we will mail to Campus Book and Supply," said Jane Olsen, Women's Center director.
Olsen also sent a letter Tuesday to Campus Book and Supply expressing the center's views on the T-shirt.
"The message, 'I'm cheap, I'm used, I'm available,' sends the message that women and men are available for sex at any time and with anyone," Olsen said. "It's demeaning to both women and men."