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November 21, 2009

Plattsburgh State talks sex

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

PLATTSBURGH — Dominick DeBonis wants more sex talk.

Sexual conversations shine a light on repression and inspire openness among college students, said the Plattsburgh State junior, an avid reader of Cardinal Points' weekly column "Sex and the SUNY."

But some students, professors, parents and alumni are outraged by a column they say perpetuates stereotypes, objectifies women and encourages risky sexual behavior.

"Hey, who's to say what's right or not right?" DeBonis quipped.

ACROSS THE NATION
The University of California, Berkeley, started the college sex-column movement in 1996 with "Sex on Tuesday."

Within a few years, similar columns began popping up at campuses around the country. Carrie Bradshaw on "Sex and the City" also helped popularize the sex column.

Today, more than 200 sex and dating columns are published nationwide in student newspapers, magazines and online outlets, under names such as "The Friday Quickie" and "Between the Sheets."

Many papers use the columns to educate and trigger conversations on hot-button topics, though they often come under fire for graphic and uncensored content.

Earlier this year, University of Montana Law professor Kristen Juras tried to censor the sex column there. And the student editor of Towson University's newspaper, The Towerlight, stepped down last month after going head to head with the college president over the publication of "The Bed Post."

WRITTEN BY STUDENTS
Cardinal Points, Plattsburgh State's independent student newspaper, has published "Sex and the SUNY" in its current format since January 2008.

"We wanted it written by someone different each week," said Jessica Bakeman, a Plattsburgh State student and current editor-in-chief of Cardinal Points.

Due to a shallow pool of submissions from the general student body, Cardinal Points staff members author most of them.

"It has served students in many different ways, either as entertainment or education or even therapy," Bakeman said of "Sex and the SUNY."

But critics say there is nothing tasteful about glorifying drunken weekend hookups, especially with pieces that judge young women by their breast size and receptiveness to pleasing male college students.

Erin Vanpatten often finds the column funny, yet the Plattsburgh State student says he could do without the "raunchy" personal stories.

Student Lynette Pettinicchi can also think of a few she doesn't think should have been published.

"It needs to be done tastefully."

'VULGAR'
Members of the college community were outraged by a piece that ran Nov. 6 in which a student describes his disgust after having sex with a woman who may have been menstruating.

The writer claims to vomit in his mouth while recalling a "girl" who scarred him for life and then outlines other ways men can ensure they are pleasured when it is "that time of the month."

"If it's that time of the month, go on vacation," became the most-read article in Cardinal Points as comments poured in, with people questioning the writer's ethics, calling him sexist and even accusing him of rape.

"It must have been horribly embarrassing for the woman, whoever it was about," said Plattsburgh State student Hailey Montemorano. "It's a story that makes fun of someone, and I just think it's vulgar. I don't see the point."

Neither does Lisa Rinaldi.

The Plattsburgh State senior understands Cardinal Points wanting a provocative, educational section in the paper, but she says she rarely sees that executed.

"I think he was trying to be funny and satirical, but it was just degrading."

Aaron Schwartz had a different take.

"It was empowering because it offered women a male perspective," said the Plattsburgh State senior.

DISCUSSION CRUCIAL
Dr. Simona Sharoni, chair of Gender and Women's Studies at Plattsburgh State, thinks students should talk about sex and sexuality.

"This generation, in particular, has been bombarded with mixed messages. On one hand, everything around has been sexualized; on the other hand, no comprehensive sex education has been available, and some went through public school expected to abstain from sex until they get married, which, of course, rarely happens."

"Sex and the SUNY" can be humorous, Sharoni said, but it must also be factual and provide adequate information.

"The article discussed here didn't meet these criteria. It was degrading to women, as well as to men, reinforced stereotypes and spread misinformation.

"It ought to be written in a way that is well informed and not degrading."

TABOO
Bakeman stands behind "Sex and the SUNY," which has also touched on sexually transmitted diseases, gays coming out to family members, and enjoying romance in the aftermath of rape. But those columns receive far less attention than ones about oral or group sex.

"The nature of sexuality is something that is taboo, yet we are serving a student body that is primarily 18 to 23, and they are discovering themselves sexually and experimenting," Bakeman said. "Sex is a huge part of college students' lives.

"These are conversations people need to have, and we have no desire to get rid of it."

Cardinal Points advisor Sean Murphy supports Bakeman's right to make that decision, while pointing out that "Sex and the SUNY" accounts for just 1 percent of Cardinal Points content.

"I can't control the content and, ethically, I shouldn't control the content," said the chair of Plattsburgh State's Journalism Department. "They have First Amendment freedom, and it is 100-percent decided by students. I think students have decided that sex is on the minds of people age 18 to 21, and they are creating a product for their audience, and I support their right to make that decision."

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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