Sex and sensibility

On Sept. 5, Christian Sahner '07 published an editorial in the Wall Street Journal ("Sexed-Up Sex Ed") criticizing the representation of sex in the University-sponsored "Sex on a Saturday Night" (SoSN) production. The student-run drama is offered to each incoming freshman class and aims primarily to educate students as about dangers of sexual assault. As a mandatory component of freshman orientation week, Sahner argued that the production essentially condones and even promotes sexual activity. Yet this view, and other similar critiques of SoSN, misses the point that SoSN is an innovative and effective means of addressing a legitimate University concern, namely the prevention of sexual assault. If anything, SoSN is a model for how such University-sponsored awareness programs ought to be conducted.

For several good reasons, the University has a strong interest in ensuring the safety and security of students. The University maintains a fair degree of liability exposure, aside from its obvious moral responsibility, for its students. Its concerns in this regard span from alcohol education to the prevention of sex crimes. The University has implemented a number of measures to address this exposure, including alcohol.edu. Anecdotal evidence, in the form of raw numbers, suggests that some such measures are highly effective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault and other crimes. In this sense, SoSN is an important part of a vital University responsibility to keep students safe.

Specific critiques that SoSN promotes sex, and not just the prevention of sexual assault, should be viewed both in these terms and in the context of pluralism. College ideally prepares its students for the larger world, and this is not always easy. The Princeton community functions upon generosity and certain compromises, from the Interfaith Opening Ceremonies onward. If SoSN still has changes to make, it nevertheless errs on the side of concrete benefits for the community at large.

Moreover, unlike virtually every other such University-sponsored awareness program, SoSN is genuinely popular among students. Because it is student-run, SoSN is able to engage and appeal directly to students, in contrast to most events planned from a desk in West College. Supporting material and obligatory RCA discussion following the show plainly explain students' responsibilities as well as available resources, adding another opportunity for engagement. Furthermore, the evolving content of the production is the result of close consultation with several student groups, providing yet another avenue to connect with the larger student body. This inclusive approach and the way in which students are enlisted as full partners in programming is an effective model for developing similar programs. Not only does SoSN serve a useful and vital function in preventing sexual assault, but it is also a fine example of student-administration partnership in response to major campus issues.