McMINNVILLE, Ore. (BP)–“I find that the three major administrative problems on a campus are sex for the students, athletics for the alumni and parking for the faculty,” once quipped Clark Kerr, who served as first chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley. While it is not known for certain how Yale University is approaching the needs of alumni and faculty, it seems the Ivy League school is doing what it can to accommodate the sexual desires of its students.
Yale, perceived by many as one of America’s most prestigious universities, recently received top “honors” in the 7th annual Campus Outrage Awards presented by the Collegiate Network (CN). Founded in 1979, CN brings attention to the politicization of American college classrooms, curricula and student life -– and the resulting decline of educational standards.
What earned Yale the top spot on CN’s Campus Outrage Awards was “Sex Week at Yale: A celebration and exploration of sex and sexuality at Yale University,” Feb. 9-14. Student sponsors of “Sex Week” used university funds and facilities and had the support of faculty and administrators. Several events also were co-sponsored by Wicked Pictures, a pornographic film company.
It should be noted that Yale shared the top honor on CN’s list with the University of California Santa Barbara (the Multicultural Center at UCSB sponsored a presentation by a senior student on the subject of men of color in porn). However, I think the Ivy League school deserves the tie-breaker. After all, Yale conducted a campus wide “celebration of sex” while UCSB merely held a departmental presentation.
Yale’s “Sex Week” was punctuated with a plethora of “educational” events. Among the personalities and presentations were:
Dr. Susan Block, a graduate of Yale, lectured on “Sex at Yale: Theory and Practice.” She also has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Pacific Western University. Dr. Block operates an Internet site called the Institute for the Erotic Arts and Sciences (translation: upscale porn, if there is such a thing) and offers “sex therapy.” I wonder: would Yale present an outstanding alumni award to a porn provider? Inquiring minds will have to wait for the answer.
Wicked Pictures star Devinn Lane spoke on the topic of “Sex, Entertainment and the Media.” I suppose “Sex Week” just wouldn’t be complete without an appearance by a bona fide porno queen. I only hope no one was inspired to follow in her footsteps.
“One Woman’s Illustrated Sexual Revolution,” was presented by Betty Dodson, billed as the “grandmother” of autoeroticism. My grandma was known for her cooking. Is it just me or are they not making grandmothers like they used to?
“Sex Toys 101” was offered by representatives of Toys in Babeland, an Internet “sex toy store run by women whose mission is to promote and celebrate sexual vitality….” Attendees who did not already own a “sex toy” were given one as a door prize. Yale professor Naomi Rogers, meanwhile, lectured on the sociological relevance, psychological impact and political implications of sexual stimulation devices.
It seems that prestige among America’s “elite” universities has little to do with academics and everything with being viewed as progressive and politically correct. What is most sad about Yale is it was started with the highest of ideals.
When Yale was founded in 1701, its main purpose was training for the Christian ministry. The original charter stated it was to be a school “wherein Youth may be instructed in the Arts & Sciences who through the blessing of Almighty God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church & Civil State.”
The founders of Yale expected students to engage in Bible reading, worship attendance and prayer. They would be appalled to find undergraduates now exposed to politically correct pornography and shameless displays of sordid sensuality.
The school’s founders even might suggest that the present leadership of Yale spend more time on athletics for the alumni and parking for the faculty. While these pursuits may seem trivial in light of the institution’s original purpose, they are surely more worthwhile than “Sex Week” for students.
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Kelly Boggs’ column appears each Friday in Baptist Press. He is pastor of the Portland-area Valley Baptist Church in McMinnville, Ore.
