Dear President Crow:
Recently, you have expressed your vision for ASU as a 'New American University' where education is drawn from across the entire cerebral landscape, preparing students for any and all challenges they may face in the working world.
Some in the community have gone as far as to declare ASU the 'Harvard of the Southwest.'
I, for one, sir, would be quick to argue that ASU is being left in the dust. While ASU may be at the forefront of scientific research, and while our business and religious studies programs garner national acclaim, there is one arena in which the students of ASU do not hold a candle to our Crimson brethren.
That arena, sir, is erotica -- and institutionally funded erotica, at that. Sure, we're all familiar with the Brian Buck debacle, no doubt widely held as one of ASU's most infamous moments. But what we're talking about here is student nudity at another level entirely.
Last month, Harvard's Committee on College Life approved a new student erotica magazine, dubbed H Bomb. Modeled after a similar publication at Vassar, H Bomb will be an official Harvard publication and will contain fiction, features, poetry and photography related to sexual issues at Harvard. Students of both sexes will appear nude in the photography sections of the magazine; however, to avoid liability issues, it is important to note that they will not be photographed inside campus buildings.
And while Harvard will not fund the magazine, the publication is eligible to receive grants from the college, just like any other campus organization. The first issue is slated for distribution during commencement ceremonies in May.
ASU is home to several literary magazines, Dr. Crow, but it seems to have left the sexual revolution behind. If we are to continue to complete nationally with the likes of private institutions such as Harvard and Vassar, it is time to re-examine our commitment to our students.
I believe in this commitment so strongly that I hereby volunteer my services to edit a literary magazine similar to H Bomb, so that ASU can join the likes of Harvard in promoting excellence and intellectual debate amongst the student body. I feel it is our duty to this institution, and duly, to ourselves. And without the content filters that hinder Web surfing on most of campus, the basement of the Matthews Center is the perfect place to conduct adequate research into such a magazine.
I urge you to consider my proposal. Help me to enhance the quality of the education that students of ASU receive, so that no one may claim that his or her education is lacking when they leave these hallowed halls. It would pain me to leave here knowing that I could have made such a positive difference in the lives of ASU students, and failed to do so.
To you, Dr. Crow, I issue a call to join me in a campus-wide quest for sexual discourse and debate. And to my fellow students, I issue a call to draw upon your collective talents, so that we may achieve sexual liberation together, in a safe, moderated and educated format.
The choice is yours, ASU.
What say you?
Brian Clapp is a biology and political science senior. He welcomes your comments at leisurestudies@asu.edu.
