Cussin' on campus

Language spicier than the cafeteria's jalapeno poppers is being used by some Governors State University students and faculty.

It is plain there is recognition from the upper echelon of a definite problem of civility while trying to maintain a peaceful environment on campus. Two notices positioned at the basketball court entrance warn of obscenity penalties both on the court and off. One is an inter-office memo concerning civility by everyone, staff, vendors, patrons etc. This cites how respect embodies the GSU mission statement. The other, posted on red cardstock, spells out the word obscenity dispelling any doubt of the consequences.

The letters to the editor policy by Phoenix Editor-in-Chief Melissa Hall references the writing problem. In the policy, Hall states, "Any letter that is deemed inappropriate, offensive, vulgar, or in any way not fit for publication will not be published in the Phoenix."

Kayla Randolph-Clark, GSU Student Senate Trustee Elect, summed it up in her article on student civility in the April 3 issue of the Phoenix. Randolph wrote, "How someone interacts with others not only determines the outcome of those interactions, but also gives insight on an individual's integrity and character."

GSU students are coached by the Career Services on proper interview etiquette, all for free, to insure the best chance to snag a job. Concerning the use of foul language in an interview, Jessica Specht, a GSU Career Counselor cautions, "A job interview is your first and most important impression. In that interview you are trying to convey your good communication skills, appropriate social skills, and good team orientation. Foul language could completely negate that image. Interviews should be professional, and foul is not professional."

In addition, functions such as the business etiquette luncheon that Ryan O'Neill of the Phoenix reported on in the April 3 issue further enables students of all ages and backgrounds to stand out as a professional in various situations. O'Neil wrote, "Everyone left the business etiquette luncheon learning that even the simplest aspects of proper etiquette are important." O'Neil also wrote, "Companies look for how potential employees listen, look and move."

Opinions from the student body shed light on the attitudes surrounding language used in public. Liam Ryan, a GSU student, said "I do not know if I use it a lot in class. I do not know what I say, it just comes out. I'm really not self-aware. I know if I say a bad word by people's reactions."

Jean Williams, another GSU student, said of foul language, "People have just started saying it. People in the 60's, if people called someone a B---- it was fighting words. It's language, in the vocabulary, it's on Maury's show. Just say it quietly, they don't have to be so loudly, be discreet."

Opinions abound online about what exactly are offensive words. The website,www.11points.com, created a list of the most popular swear words on television. The list is comprised of words that were bleeped out of TV programs.

More than one professor on campus uses words like F---, P-----, C---, or allows students to speak without correction. Some professors and students claim that C--- is in the mainstream now. Students using vulgar words say "Excuse my French...."and continue to speak before letting anyone object. That is akin to smokers lighting up and not waiting for a reply. Behavior like this can put the other party in an uncomfortable position.

Professor Marilyn Yirku, Academic Coordinator of the Communications Programs, had some interesting observations about who controls the classroom and the problem in general. Yirku said, "...(the) instructor (controls the classroom) without a doubt. The tone is set the first day of class. It should be maintained .Society needs to take a step back and counter this."

Professor Arness Krause, Coach of the Forensic Speaking Team, said, "It's unnecessary. Isn't there other language we could use that would just be as effective but more respectful of one another?"

There are two mainstreams in conflict with one another on the subject. Television and the media provide a very different look at what type of language is acceptable than the other mainstream, which consists of Fortune 500 companies' reps out to dinner with clients to close an account, or families visiting with Grandma.

We are in the "Shift Age" as detailed by Futurist David Houle in an article by Andrew Kriz in the April 3 issue of the Phoenix. Everything is changing rapidly and will continue to do so.

It may be impossible to control the use offensive in our society. Freedom of speech is constituionally guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. As GSU student Liam Ryan said. "I don't think you can (prevent people from usnig foul language). There is not going to be any enforcement, freedom of speech."

The solution could be simple. There are a few creative examples which can be used to deal with the issue of swearing on campus. The now defunct Coys Bakery in Bradley, IL, for example, had a bell which was dinged by employees when the talk turned offensive. The sitcom, Portlandia, had an F-----g situation in a vegan restaurant, where the waitress sent the gassy customers to the F-----g Patio. This could work with foul language.

Maybe the two camps of language could share the cafeteria annex on the first floor on odd and even months. There could be a sign posted, P----d off Patio, or Professional Patio, to discreetly but firmly establish areas of conversational limits. Just like smokers, the question could be among friends, "Where do you prefer to sit?" No big deal! Perhaps a new international symbol could be posted with a red circle and bar over the ?!@#$, as a signal to all of the "Professional Patio."