Spring Break
EDITORIAL: The Liquid Latex meltdown
Editorial | 9/18/07
Posted online at 2:54 AM EST on 9/18/07
When administrators put the kibosh last week on the Liquid Latex Club's "Wear Anything But Clothes" dance-a revised version of the canceled "Less You Wear, Less You Pay" dance-they missed an opportunity to improve campus social life and produce a safer campus environment.
The price of admission to this year's dance (ranging from $1 to $4) would have been based on the creativity of students' attire rather than on how much clothing they were wearing. But that shift apparently didn't satisfy University officials' concerns about student drinking and belligerent sexual behavior at the event.
In justifying their decision to call off the dance last year, administrators took issue with the event's provocative nature and cited three incidents in which students were transported to the hospital for intoxication. Earlier this month, Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes wrote in an e-mail to Liquid Latex coordinators that not enough time had passed for a "culture change" to occur on campus.
The change Grimes appears to be waiting for will never materialize-at least not on its own. Students act in excess, and administrators often respond in excess.
The dance that lies at the center of this controversy, however, could be just the catalyst needed to spark the "change" that Grimes speaks of.
A unique and somewhat bizarre blend of creative fashion, sexual freedom and college-party etiquette, Liquid Latex's event could have served as a perfect point on which to build on Brandeis' often-maligned social scene.
Additionally, the sad irony of shelving this event is that a dance that emphasizes creativity in fashion and sexuality, while taking place under the auspices of responsible students and staff, would be safer than most campus parties or even smaller gatherings among students involving alcohol. At least at a party in Levin Ballroom, students are surrounded by BEMCo and concerned administrators.
But outside of improving campus social life and offering students a safer party environment, this dance could have done so much more. The overtly sexual character of Liquid Latex's dances-which seems to strike fear in the hearts of campus administrators-could be realigned by bringing in Student Sexuality Information Services to answer questions about safe sex and distribute condoms. This would add a valuable educational aspect to the event.
Student Union officials are now in negotiation to bring the Liquid Latex dance back. This seems like an opportunity for everyone to get what they want.
The price of admission to this year's dance (ranging from $1 to $4) would have been based on the creativity of students' attire rather than on how much clothing they were wearing. But that shift apparently didn't satisfy University officials' concerns about student drinking and belligerent sexual behavior at the event.
In justifying their decision to call off the dance last year, administrators took issue with the event's provocative nature and cited three incidents in which students were transported to the hospital for intoxication. Earlier this month, Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes wrote in an e-mail to Liquid Latex coordinators that not enough time had passed for a "culture change" to occur on campus.
The change Grimes appears to be waiting for will never materialize-at least not on its own. Students act in excess, and administrators often respond in excess.
The dance that lies at the center of this controversy, however, could be just the catalyst needed to spark the "change" that Grimes speaks of.
A unique and somewhat bizarre blend of creative fashion, sexual freedom and college-party etiquette, Liquid Latex's event could have served as a perfect point on which to build on Brandeis' often-maligned social scene.
Additionally, the sad irony of shelving this event is that a dance that emphasizes creativity in fashion and sexuality, while taking place under the auspices of responsible students and staff, would be safer than most campus parties or even smaller gatherings among students involving alcohol. At least at a party in Levin Ballroom, students are surrounded by BEMCo and concerned administrators.
But outside of improving campus social life and offering students a safer party environment, this dance could have done so much more. The overtly sexual character of Liquid Latex's dances-which seems to strike fear in the hearts of campus administrators-could be realigned by bringing in Student Sexuality Information Services to answer questions about safe sex and distribute condoms. This would add a valuable educational aspect to the event.
Student Union officials are now in negotiation to bring the Liquid Latex dance back. This seems like an opportunity for everyone to get what they want.
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