Southeast Missouri State University's Intensive English Program and International Education and Services will host its International Ladies Night from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Sept. 24, in the Student Recreation Center--North's west gym.

Breanna Walling, director of IEP, said she saw the need for an International Ladies Night when she noticed that Muslim women weren't participating in events as much as other students.

"When we asked them why, we learned that sometimes they don't feel comfortable in mixed-gender activities, and they also were looking for activities where they could uncover and not wear their different traditional styles of covering," Walling said.

Walling said the female Muslim students felt like there weren't many opportunities for them to go out and socialize without having to wear a hijab, a traditional headscarf worn by Muslim women.

"We thought if we could find a space that would be women only, where these women would feel more comfortable, then we could give them the same social connection to the campus that other students were able to enjoy," Walling said.

Rachel Schremp, administrative assistant in the office of IEP, said there will be music, dancing and snacks at the International Ladies Night.

In past events, Walling said the women were allowed to request songs, and when they did a lot of them would teach everyone how to dance to the music.

There will also be a designated photo taking location at the event for women who want to take pictures.

Walling said pictures will be taken in one location so the women can feel comfortable and not accidentally be in someone else's picture.

"Some women don't feel comfortable having their photo taken at all, so we really stress that we don't allow any recordings without the specific permission of every single woman in the recording," Walling said. "You don't want to take a picture of your friend and you have someone in the background who doesn't want to have their picture taken."

Schremp said she wants the women to have fun at the event and be able to have a break from everything.

Walling said she wants the women to feel more connected to the campus and have opportunities to make friends and learn about other cultures.

"This is one way that, for some specific populations, they have greater access to those communities and activities," Walling said.

According to Schremp, IEP doesn't have any other women-only events available this semester.

"Most of our events are for men and women and everyone's invited," Walling said. "We just have one big event where it's just only for women."

Other events IEP has in store for the semester are monthly birthday parties for the international students held in the International Center, a tailgate party on homecoming and a recognition ceremony in December for international students graduating from IEP and graduating in December from Southeast.

"IEP is for international students who have not submitted the English language test score they need to start their academic program, so they just learn reading, writing, grammar, listening, speaking and the English language to prepare them for their undergraduate and graduate studies," Walling said.

All women are welcome to attend the event. For those interested in attending the International Ladies Night, free tickets are available at the Intensive English Program office at Pacific Hall Room 305 and the International Center.