Seeing how this is women’s month, please take time to consider the Rocky Horror Picture Club’s version of the school mascot dressed in a bustier and leggings to promote their club. The picture was approved for use in 1994, but apparently the rights to use the mascot for the Rocky Club are not going to be re-approved by the university. The Rocky Club wants the image to be re-approved. I recommend getting in contact with them to supply the image.
Regardless of the use of the image, I have found it very unsettling that the university would approve an image to be used like this. In the post April 16 atmosphere I can see why the university may have underwent a change in heart.
Unofficial uses of the mascot following the tragedy generated both positive and negative uses of the mascot. It is good for the school to be open-minded and allow such connotations to exist, but at the same time one cannot help but feel the image is a mockery to the university’s mascot. Even when considering what the image promotes, it almost feels like something an opposing university would hoist at a big sporting event. Regardless of what gender the Hokie Bird is to be perceived as, I believe an interesting dialogue would ensue if this were to be brought into the mainstream of campus.
John Sperry
2008 Graduate