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The battle lines have been drawn over the placement of an
antique scale in a struggle between the University of Wisconsin Campus Women’s
Center and the Memorial Union.

Chynna Haas, a UW sophomore and CWC support services
coordinator, said the Union has taken back a bathroom scale the group had taken
from the fourth floor women’s restroom.

According to Haas, past directors of the CWC, located on the
fourth floor, removed the scale a few years ago; it has sat in their office
ever since.

“They were frustrated by having to see the scale in the
bathroom every day,” Haas said. “They felt it was inappropriate.
We’re dealing with women battling eating disorders.”

Haas said representatives of the Union showed up in the CWC
office last Tuesday and finally removed the scale. She added Paul Broadhead,
Wisconsin Union assistant director for facilities, told the CWC the scale has
historic significance and several women had complained because they wanted to
use the scale.

Haas also said the CWC was told the scale was going to be
put back in the women’s restroom.

The CWC had used the scale as a symbol of female
discrimination and sexist views about women’s self-worth being tied to their
weight, Haas said, adding the center would have women put notes on the scale
that said something they liked about their bodies.

Wisconsin Union President John Barnhardt said he is unsure
about what will be done with the scale, but he is positive it will not go back
into the women’s restroom because it would be inappropriate.

“I think we can agree with the CWC that scales don’t
belong in public restrooms,” Barnhardt said.

Barnhardt said the scale has been in the Memorial Union
since it first opened. He added it was a part of what was then known as the
Women’s Lounge, and it was later moved to the fourth floor women’s restroom
when the room was converted into the Capitol View room.

Haas said the Women’s Lounge was the only place women were
allowed when the Union first opened, and the scale is a historic reminder of
past discrimination.

Haas said the scale should be allowed to stay in the CWC
where an informational plaque can be placed above it, and it can still continue
to serve the population. She added the situation surrounding the scale’s theft
and use by the CWC is now also an important page in its history.

Barnhardt said the scale may be put on display somewhere in
the Union as an antique, but as far as antiques go, there are probably much
more interesting ones that could be put on display.

Haas is listed on the agenda to make the CWC’s case about
the scale at the Union Council Facilities Sub-Committee Friday. CWC is hoping
to gather as many people as possible to show up at the meeting wearing bright
spring colors to show their support.