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I graduated from the San Francisco State University Sexuality Studies (SXS) MA program in May 2011. I have done everything in my power not to mention the department so as not to give any sense that I promote it. I thought that would be enough. But it's clear that it's not. Since graduating I have been approached by increasing numbers of members of the SFSU Sexuality Studies MA program cohorts who have expressed demoralization, frustration, and concern for their mental well-being as a result of being a part of the SXS program. I am compelled to publicly state that this is unacceptable and that it is the duty of the department to be responsible for its students. Though I am honored that people who do not know me feel that I am worthy of their trust, it is a great commentary on their perceptions of the department's failings that this is so.
I was so harmed by the program - what can only be called harassment from members of my cohort coupled with astounding indifference from faculty, a professor telling me in a meeting that I essentially didn't have the intellectual rigor to do well in her course, the head of the department at the time only soliciting opinions from and mentoring white men - that I did not feel safe enough to even attend my own graduation. Since graduating I have provided advice and support to nearly a dozen people from the SFSU Sexuality Studies department who have come to me because they felt dissatisfied, unsupported, under-stimulated by the curriculum or opportunities for research with a critical race lens, and/or felt unsafe and didn't feel like faculty in the department could be held accountable. I want to be clear that proactively ensuring the satisfaction and professionalization of students is a professional duty. The San Francisco State University Sexuality Studies masters program touts itself as social justice oriented. In my opinion it is not. This SXS masters program touts itself as having a "commitment to community building." In my opinion it does not. The SXS masters program says that it is committed to "excelling in teaching graduate studies." If it is in fact committed to this goal I feel that it is currently failing. I hope that this public stand empowers students in some way and encourages faculty to rethink what they've done that would compel so many of its students to come to a stranger rather than the people they share a classroom with everyday. Keywords: SXS, Sexuality Studies, Masters, SFSU, San Francisco State University, graduate program
Julian
3/26/2013 06:01:08 am
I was in the program for 1 semester before fleeing to WGS. it was a total mess and putting in an absolute minimum amount of effort I still got straight A's. the program was understimulating and was misadvertised as being pro-humanities and gender inclusive. I did more educating about trans issues than any student should ever have to.
Virgie
3/26/2013 06:29:14 am
It's great that you had the foresight and confidence to see that this wasn't what you wanted and transfer. I've been encouraging students to consider this as a viable alternative to quitting or staying on despite dissatisfaction.
Jessica Seid
3/27/2013 06:24:52 am
Although I only attended SFSU as an undergrad and received a MA elsewhere, that is disappointing and saddening to hear. Is there someone higher up that you can go to, perhaps the dean of the Humanities?
Virgie
4/9/2013 02:39:46 pm
Hi Jessica, thanks for your suggestion. I definitely think that this is an option that students in the program could/should consider. I'm trying to brainstorm ways to support current students. If people have other suggestions please post.
Tuky Alienae
10/29/2013 08:26:32 am
I just recently engaged in the Sexuality Studies (SXS) MA program as an international student and I'm already in a state of constant anxiety and depression. In my opinion the program is not stimulating enough and I feel like I'm not pursuing what brought me to university in the first place. Of course, I understand that some boring things are necessary, but some professors just simply don't give you flexibility to be creative and that makes me feel demoralized, frustrated and sometimes even dumb. Some teaching methods are a joke for a MA program or even for an undergraduate class. The best experience that I had was with international teachers, maybe perhaps they understand a lot better adaptation difficulties. I just feel like an alien, like I don't fit and it's killing me. I came here full of dreams, but now I don't know what to do with my life anymore. sorry about my english
Jazzy
8/7/2014 12:09:32 pm
I am looking into graduate programs and y'all's comments are super helpful in dissuading me from applying there. As a trans* & fat sweetie pie, I have no interest in being enveloped in unhealthy, destructive academia hoopla-la! I realize these comments were over a year ago, but if folks do happen upon this thread, I would be glittered to hear recommendations for graduate programs in sexuality that do walk their talk. Thanks! Comments are closed.
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Virgie Tovar
Virgie Tovar, MA is one of the nation's leading experts and lecturers on fat discrimination and body image. She is the founder of Babecamp (a 4 week online course focused on helping people break up with diet culture) and the editor of Hot & Heavy: Fierce Fat Girls on Life, Love and Fashion (Seal Press, 2012). She writes about the intersections of size, identity, sexuality and politics. See more updates on Facebook. Archives
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