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.