The Quadrangle

Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: www.manhattan.edu

In his last year as President of Manhattan College, Brother Thomas Scanlan looks to leave another mark on the school: a student-run club for virgins or a club that promotes abstinence and discussion.

"It's always been my hope that one would develop," said Scanlan. "If such a club were to exist, it makes clear to all students and incoming students that virginity is a choice they have... and they should do so responsibly and not for pressure."

He cannot do it alone. He made a point that this is something the students would have to start.

"This wasn't a message from me to Student Activities," said Scanlan. The president reached out to the RA's to help form the group because they are "peer leaders" who deal with students on a regular basis.

The RA's were not pressured into forming the group but he wanted them to see the benefits of starting one. He says no incoming student should have to feel the unwanted pressure to have sex and the club would introduce discussion on the topic while putting it in context.

The Manhattan College Student Handbook states sexual intercourse is "a violation of the College Code of Conduct and [is] punishable by sanctions imposed in accordance with the judicial procedures of the College." In addition the handbook states, "any sexual intercourse while on College property and outside the bounds of marriage is behavior that is unacceptable in the College community."

"We have these rules because we are a Catholic College, but even Harvard and Princeton and other places have clubs that promote virginity," said Scanlan. "This is legitimate in the bigger world."

At Harvard, a similar group, True Love Revolution, was started. According to their website, they strive "to present another option to [their] peers regarding sex-related issues, endorsing ideas of abstinence and chastity as a positive alternative for ethical and health reasons."

True Love Revolution claims students join for religious reasons, protection from sexually transmitted infections or to avoid pregnancy, concerns overs personal safety, and saving themselves for their future spouse.

The creator of True Love Revolution, Justin Murray, told the New York Times, "We wanted to make abstinence look fun and interesting."

The proposed club for MC would not be exclusively to virgins but could be for anyone wishing to practice abstinence.

Student Body President Damien Germino says the club would have to be open to all people. "All clubs on campus are not exclusive. They should just represent an idea, but it has to be open to everybody."

The Society of Hispanic Engineers, for example, is open to all races and ethnic backgrounds and all majors at the school not just Hispanic engineers.

Germino supports the idea for the club and would like to see individuals step up to create it.

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