EVER WONDER where your student activity fees go? At Yale, some University funds are funneled to a "Sex Week," complete with lectures such as "The History of the Vibrator" and "How to be a Better Lover," as well as an appearance by porn star Devinn Lane and free "adult toys" for all.
Curious as to how a portion of our $47 activity fee is spent, I attended a recent VOX meeting and a First Right meeting.
Two weeks ago, VOX, the student-supported Planned Parenthood group on Grounds, held a "Sexual Arts and Crafts" night. Most of you are probably scratching your heads on this one.
I hesitate to even include what "crafts" students actually constructed and experimented with. Call me prudish, but I got an education at Mr. Jefferson's University I would have been perfectly fine without. Students were treated to a flavored condom-tasting bar, a condom chart with 55 different sizes, a detailed display on how to put a condom on a cucumber, an in-depth explanation of how to perform various sexual acts with others and with artificial devices and instruction in building dental dams.
This is outright disgusting and repulsive. It's fine to inform students of the various birth control methods, as well as provide a non-threatening environment to answer students' questions, of which VOX did a comprehensive and thorough job. However, the 100 percent foolproof method for not getting pregnant or an STD was not presented as a viable option, because, according to VOX President Kim Goumenis, "abstinence doesn't involve sex [and] therefore there would be no reason for us to discuss it."
Excluding abstinence from a setting such as this one contradicts part of VOX's mission statement, which states, "We believe that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary," since one of the obvious ways to choose whether or not to reproduce voluntarily (excluding cases of rape) is by choosing to remain abstinent.
Somehow, I don't see how lube-tasting bars and dental dam "crafts" help further VOX's mission "to educate the university community about reproductive health and rights and to translate increased awareness into pro-choice activism on campus."
The purpose of this night, according to Goumenis, VOX Vice President Katherine Koen and Planned Parenthood intern Madeleine Wille, was to "increase awareness" about things such as dental dams, resources available through Planned Parenthood and lesser-known contraception methods, as well as emergency contraception.
When questioned after the sex talk, Koen and Goumenis did mention that they presented a "risk assessment" to the group about whether or not to engage in sexual behaviors, and that this meeting wasn't meant to be an "all options workshop" of sexual behaviors. Well, considering this is an organization all about providing choices, maybe it wouldn't have been such a bad thing to mention the word "abstinence." Excluding the option from a frank discussion about sex might lead the audience to believe that it isn't a legitimate or rational choice.
VOX confirmed that it was a CIO that received money from the University, although in a later e-mail response, Goumenis viewed my asking of how much money as "inappropriate," because "it only concerns the executive board and appropriations committee." As students and indirect donors to this organization, it is our right to know how much of our money is appropriated. First Right was entirely forthcoming; Fundraising Chair and former President Sam Kepler disclosed that First Right received approximately $330 from the SAF for the 2004-2005 academic year.
Equally inquisitive as to how First Right utilized its funds, I attended a Pro-Life training seminar this past weekend.
First Right brought in Brian Clowes, Ph.D., from the pro-life organization Human Life International for a day-long lecture, designed to educate attendees about pro-life activism and the pro-life mission, the reasoning behind pro-life and pro-choice positions, debating techniques for defending the pro-life stance and practical ways to promote the pro-life message. While not all students at the University will agree with what Dr. Clowes had to say, First Right's hosting of this speaker is consistent with its mission statement, which is "to spread the pro-life message on Grounds in an attempt to educate the community on the issue of abortion and to save the lives of unborn children." First Right is using its funds to accomplish the objectives and purpose spelled out in its constitution.
After listening to the debate tactics section of the First Right seminar, I inquired if First Right had ever held a forum with VOX. First Right President Christy Elliot informed me that she had attempted to organize a Sustained Dialogue with VOX, but they had declined. When questioned, Goumenis replied in an e-mail response, "VOX is choosing not to particiate [sic] in sustained dialogue to concentrate our energy on fulfilling the above goals of our mission." This is unfortunate, since an open dialogue would benefit all students involved through a healthy exchange of ideas.
Instead, this CIO chooses to have students taste flavored condoms and play with plastic. Let's hope that this night is not representative of all it does in realizing its objectives.
Whitney Blake is a Cavalier Daily associate editor. She can be reached at wblake@cavalierdaily.com.
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