Is it time for a chastity center?

The need for a center for morally traditional students is questionable. University centers are not established to proselytize for a set of values but rather are intended to ensure that services are available to all Princeton students, regardless of their beliefs and ethical convictions. For example, the McCosh Health Center provides psychological counseling as well as other services that address the individual needs of all students, morally traditional or not. The availability of condoms free of charge does not preclude McCosh from adequately providing services to those who wish to remain chaste or hold morally traditional convictions.

The LGBT Center, the Women's Center and the Fields Center were created because the communities they are intended to serve have a long history of suffering marginalization and discrimination both within Princeton and the world beyond its gates. These centers promote the inclusion and acceptance within our community of people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or ethnicity. Morally traditional students have not suffered the same systemic exclusion and discrimination on- and off-campus as the groups that currently have centers specifically tailored to their needs. Indeed, the mission of these three centers must include welcoming and providing service to students who define themselves as "morally traditional."

Since Princeton prides itself on being an inclusive community, the perception among some students that they are not well served is cause for concern. Therefore, the University should investigate to ensure that its institutions are serving "morally traditional students" adequately, as these institutions are intended to do. For example, a careful study of the surveys completed by students who have availed themselves of McCosh's resources or a more general survey of the student body should be conducted to identify and then address any gaps in service. Only if such an investigation reveals that the needs of morally traditional students cannot be met by existing University institutions should the creation of a new center then be considered.

Should such a center for morally traditional students be established, its purpose must be to provide support to those who hold such views and not to promote one set of values as being superior to the beliefs of other members of our campus community. A center that would serve as a platform from which to marginalize members of other communities is unacceptable. If a center for morally traditional students is to be sanctioned, funded and housed by the University, the onus will be on the students seeking the center's establishment to demonstrate how such a center would be a constructive and equal partner in contributing to Princeton's pluralistic community.