“Male students at Gustavus are less likely than their female counterparts to be engaged in activities and practices that foster exploration, reflection and discernment of vocation. They are also less involved in religious life, community service, leadership formation and other vocation-related aspects of the college experience. In response, Gustavus has begun an extended, multifaceted project called ‘Deep M-Pact: Mentoring Gustavus Men for Lives of Meaning and Making a Difference.’ ”

This statement of purpose is taken from the proposal to create M-Pact, a campus organization that aims to foster a new sense of purpose, awareness and identity in Gustavian men, and the campus as a whole. On Nov. 5 and 6, M-Pact will continue its efforts to explore and redefine masculinity during the fourth annual Men’s Halftime Retreat at Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, Minn.

The weekend retreat includes a host of workshops and activities, both in small and large groups, that focus on issues of gender and social justice. Special emphasis is given to the discussion on how to fix the traditionally constructed model of masculinity and the responsibility of men to be aware of and address gender inequality.

“We learn about the privilege that men have, the power men have in society and the importance of working for gender equality,” Senior Mathematics Major Matthew Swenson said. “Men are also hurt by patriarchy, because it creates this environment where men can’t express themselves. It creates this ‘man box’,” he said. Swenson has helped plan two past retreats, and is Co-President of M-Pact.

“Essentially we seek to address the imbalances between male and female involvement in issues of vocational reflection, community development, service leadership and discussions of masculinity/femininity. We focus on men, specifically, because we believe that we as males have to address issues within our gender before we can effectively address the gender inequalities within society,” Social Studies Teaching Major and Co-President of M-Pact Josh Connell said.

A main purpose of the Halftime Retreat is to create an intentional opportunity for men to discuss these issues with each other—issues that they might not otherwise get the chance, or feel compelled, to talk about.

“The idea of place is really important,” Swenson said. “We’re taking Gustavus to this new environment, feeling comfortable knowing that we are all here for the same reason. Knowing from the start that is a safe space where you won’t be judged for anything you say. Guys really hunger for that. The ability to show emotion, hug another guy. Stuff like that.”

“The retreat is a safe place for men to have time for self-examination, to talk and open up, to make a place that’s safe to do that. Beyond that, another big goal is to help instill a passion to do something. To live a healthy, productive, service-driven, intentional lifestyle,” Senior Physics Major Nick Atkins said.

Twelve Gustavus faculty members will accompany the group and help lead workshops and seminars. The faculty members also add an intergenerational component to the retreat’s small discussion groups. These small groups continue to meet after the retreat as part of a continuing effort to foster healthy, meaningful discussion about gender and masculinity on campus.

In spite of M-Pact’s best efforts, gender inequality continues to exist, both on-campus and off, and men continue to be comparatively less involved in volunteer work and student organizations.

“There’s a lot of engrained apathy in the male culture, at least here at Gustavus. A lot of males feel complacent by not being involved … There’s less of a connection with a group to do certain activities with men than there is with women,” Senior Biology Major Matt Martin said.

“I think that men are less involved both because we are taught to be and because we can be. Society has taught us to be stoic, independent and unemotional, and not to get involved in activities that might question our ‘masculinity. Caring is typically regarded as a feminine trait,” Connell said.

“If I had the opportunity to go on this retreat after graduation, I would. It is that cool. It’s so good to see so many guys transcend all the BS and communicate with each other an another level,” Martin said.

This year’s retreat is entitled “Let Your Life Speak,” and will focus especially on the importance of story in men’s lives. It is free of charge and open to all Gustavus men, not only members of M-Pact. For information, contact Connell at jconnell@gustavus.edu.