Could someone explain how hosting a
sexual health week fits in with the mission of the
ASUN Unity Commission? (Official ASUN
page; formerly
Diversity Commission; Unity Commission renaming
law. Before that, there was a
Diversity Department, headed by its own director, charged with executing a
diversity week, but that law was
repealed.)
The function of the Commission is to plan and execute a diversity week along with other unspecified "diversity initiatives." The Commission says its mission is to "promot[e] understanding, communication, and respect among all members of the university community" and to "recognize the value of difference and to stimulate an exchange of perspectives between people of varying races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences." In short, "[w]e strive to break social stereotypes."
It seems a bit of a stretch to link sexual health and breaking social stereotypes. What stereotypes are we breaking? Embrace UNR's shockingly high STD rates? Individuals with AIDS are people too? Rape: it's not just for men? Black and brown people can use condoms, too? Virgins: the new sluts? I know I'm being flippant about delicate and serious issues, but these things don't seem to mesh well with promoting diversity among the university community. Maybe they're having a hard time coming up with ideas on how to spend their
$13,000. Or maybe Charlie Jose needs something recent to point to as an accomplishment during his presidential election campaign.
If I recall correctly, sexual heath programming used to be something Flipside did. So what changed? Don't get me wrong, I think educating college students about sexual health is a worthy activity. I just question whether it has anything to do with diversity.
Posts
