|
Although many student groups plan date auctions as a way to raise money for a good cause, some people consider them an ethical dilemma. Date auctions basically allow one person to buy another's time, which is reminiscent of prostitution and slavery, said Patricia Stokes, an Ohio University professor of Women and Gender Studies. It's inevitable that there's going to be that kind of cultural resonance she said. But many OU student organizations, including ACRN and OU College Democrats, use date auctions as a virtually expense-free way to raise funds. ACRN will auction about 40 people tonight at The Union to raise money for its annual Lobsterfest concert, said Nicholas Hrkman, promotions director for ACRN. If it's reminiscent of auctioning actual people off yeah that's bad but I think everyone's aware that this is not in any way related to slavery or prostitution he said. Although both genders usually participate, auctioning has a different connotation for women because while men sometimes pay for sexual services from women, the reverse rarely happens. In addition, safety can be a concern for women who are auctioned and go on dates with strangers, Stokes said. The ACRN event, however, will encourage date auction participants and their dates to hang out at the event, which features several bands and a DJ battle. For all technical purposes it will just be a date for the evening Hrkman said. The OU College Democrats, which is having its third-annual date auction on Feb. 27, will host an after-event for dates to get to know each other without having to go on a one-on-one date, said John Calhoun, vice president of the group. It kind of allays the fears ... knowing that they'll have friends around he said, adding the date auction raised about $1,200 last year. In order to address ethical and safety concerns, some universities, including the University of Michigan, have adopted statements about date auctions in an effort to provide guidance for student organizations. The University of Michigan's statement on Date/Slave Auctions cites safety, allusions to slavery and the devaluing of a human being as primary ethical points that students should consider before organizing a date auction. The statement is meant to educate students about the ethical considerations associated with auctions, but is not a prohibitive measure, said Susan Wilson, director of Student Activities and Leadership at the University of Michigan. OU does not have a policy specific to date auctions, said Anne Lombard, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and director of Campus Life. I think students need to be mindful when they plan any program of how it might be perceived by the general public she said. |
3
Culture
Meghan McNamara
