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To the Editors of The Crimson:

I would like to correct a statement printed in Brenda Russell's (Feb. 5) article on the Women's College Conference, and comment on the general nature of the conference. Eight schools, primarily the Seven Sisters, were represented at the conference held at Smith College on Feb. 3rd. Twelve workshops addressed a variety of issues ranging from financing student activities, to the E.R.A., to women's studies, to security and violence on women's college campuses. In the workshop on security and violence, which I attended, one of the topics discussed was the special problems of security at Radcliffe due to its urban location. A Mount Holyoke delegate mentioned that one of the larger, violence-related problems that they are facing is "date-rape."

I commented that perhaps "date-rape" is less common at Radcliffe not because of our urban location (as was printed), but because of the fact that it is part of a co-ed university community. Radcliffe women have opportunities to socialize with men in casual, non-dating situations that are not available at women's colleges.

I was extremely disturbed that the article emphasized the discussion of "date-rape" to the extent that some major issues of the conference were not mentioned. "Date-rape" was discussed for, at most, ten minutes; in light of this, the emphasis it was given in the article--especially in the kicker--seems totally unwarranted.

Emphasizing "date-rape" gives rise to implications that support some stereotypes unjustly associated with R.U.S. in the past. It is unfortunate that members of the women's movement are often viewed as frightened, man-hating females;

The connotations are dreadful: imagine a roomful of women sitting around, bitching about oppression and violence directed at them by that lowly creation--man. I am happy to report that such a scene bears no resemblance to any portion of the Smith conference!

The Women's College Conference focused on a constructive exchange of experiences and ideas on topics of special concern ot women in college. Both the conference and R.U.S. aim to promote the interests of women, not denigrate the interests of men. Noreen F. Ferrante '80   Treasurer, Radcliffe Union of Students