Just Say No To Nookie

Tufts University, in Medford, MA, just two days ago, added a rule to their student handbook banning students from engaging in "the sex act" in their dorm rooms while their roommate is present. Seems officials at the college have been fielding complaints about sexual promiscuity during "lights out" time from students for a while, so they decided to take action. The issue has been hotly contested and analyzed on every newpaper and talk radio station in Boston.

Opponents say it is a direct violation of a students constitutional rights of freedom, while proponents say, it's time has come. With my own undergraduate dorm days long behind me, I can't say I haven't dealt with this one before on a personal level. Without saying whether I was the violator or the victim, I'll just say that since the dormroom was invented, this issue has been played out in almost every scenario.

Let's take, for example, it's components; young, good looking (for the most part) hormonally fueled 18-21 year-olds, away from home for the first time in their lives, enjoying the fruits of their new found freedom. Can you say sex and drugs and rock and roll?? Hell yes!! And if the sex is free, it's good for the taking. Some believe they are not one's to starve at a banquet, so when the opportunity presents itself, they must dine as if the Apocalypse is fast approaching. Everything and everyone else is considered collateral damage. Others believe that some consideration is in order or possibly a mutually agreed upon sign, that things are gettin' jiggy up in here, and to check back later. *wink, wink*. I'd have to agree with the latter.

Really, how hard is it to find some privacy in college?? Not very. And if you want it bad enough and don't care who sees you, what's to stop you from going for it under some shady tree? And once you add drugs and alcohol into the mix, you usually end up with all bets off the table when it comes to dorm rooms. Then add one pompous and inconsiderate roommate and you've got a sticky situation, quite literally. Bravo to Tufts for giving the student body an option other than the favored f-bomb response from said roommate. I doubt that adding the rule to the handbook will halt the late night nookie in the bed next to you, but it's a start.

It gives the victim a voice when their voice is not being heard over the animalistic moaning and groaning going on over there in the dark.