* WOMEN’S ISSUES ORGANIZATION SETS UP ANTI-VIOLENCE FUND

When their performance of “The Vagina Monologues” was cancelled two weeks ago, the Women’s Issues Organization was not discouraged.

Rather, as English senior and Women’s Issues Organization co-president Erica Ciccarone said, the group was still determined to raise money for the YWCA’s battered women’s program as well as raise awareness of gender issues on campus.

The organization opened an account at the Loyola/Tulane Credit Union to accommodate donations to the program. Donors can go to the Women’s Center or the Bursar’s office to give money to the cause.

The group will also have a table set up in the Danna Center on Friday to collect donations.

Ciccarone said that they will be starting a ribbon campaign to raise awareness about the plight of battered women.

“Hopefully, we will be able to raise a couple hundred dollars for the program while educating people about the cause,” Ciccarone said.

Additionally, the Women’s Issues Organization will continue to circulate a petition that protests the cancellation of the monologues. Ciccarone said that the petition already has 700 signatures of Loyola community members.

They will also be hosting an open forum with the Rev. William Byron, S.J., on Wednesday to discuss gender issues on campus as well as the cancellation of the play.

Ciccarone said that she hopes the forum will help their fight to get the monologues moved back onto campus.

“I think that we really have a shot,” Ciccarone said. “I’m looking forward to hearing what Father Byron has to say.”

* LOYOLA NAMED A GOLD MEMBER FOR DONATIONS TO UNITED WAY

The United Way of Greater New Orleans has recognized Loyola as a member of the Gold Club.

This newly-established division of the organization identifies non-profit organizations that annually contribute $50,000 or more to the United Way. Loyola is one of eight organizations to receive the award.

Through a fundraising campaign that took place in October, Loyola managed to raise $66,153 to donate to the United Way. A student-sponsored event, the Go Bananas Dance-a-thon, was recognized as a major contributor to the campaign. The Dance-a-thon raised nearly $2500.

Student Government Association president Bea Forlano said that she has made the United Way a priority in her time in office.

She said that the Dance-a-thon was unique because it involved faculty and students and raised a lot of money for the cause.

“It wasn’t just a call for donations, but actually an event that was highly enjoyable, and will hopefully become an annual event,” Forlano said in an October interview.

Another student event, sponsored by the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., raised $1,600.

The money donated to United Way helps to fund over 135 health and human service programs.