Whether it was the potent aroma of Azada’s burritos or the racy topic of discussion, a variety of Colorado College’s student organizations were proud to fill the main corridor at Bemis Hall for Courageous Conversations: Campus Hookup Culture this past Wednesday, Dec. 3.
Colorado College Student Government Association, Student Organization for Sexual Safety, OrgasmiCC, Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) Fraternity, and EQUAL/Queer CC, hosted the event. Representatives from each of these groups facilitated the conversation.
For the first time in the history of this series, the event was strictly for students and led by students. This tactic allowed for an open forum between students in which many shared personal experiences, thoughts, and concerns about the hookup culture and party scene at Colorado College.
The conversation began by providing attendees with a number and a code to which they could send their questions or commentary to by means of text-in polls. This live feed was projected during the discussion.
The college chose this topic because there appears to be an infamous hookup culture, in which relationships are taboo and people move on faster than the coming of fourth week every block.
“Hookups don’t have to have a negative connotation,” said panelist and FIJI member Jesus Loayza. “Sometimes it’s like meeting a new person, just with other stuff.”
Some people attribute this instilled norm to the structure of the block plan: With a new class every three and a half weeks, students sometimes feel inclined to leave past relationships or flings behind with their classes.
The most common response among attendees when this concept was brought forth was that it gives people an easy exit in which they can end a fling at the end of their schedules. Between heavy work loads and busy schedules, it is often the case that students do not have the time to commit to a relationship because they don’t have time to do so.
Another contributing factor of the culture on campus may have to do with the layout of a residential college. Students can walk to house parties, where most hookups allegedly occur, and walk back to their dorms with ease.
“Being at house parties creates a community,” said Naya Herman, a member of SOSS. “Everyone is having fun and feeling good, and that’s where a lot of hookups occur.”
Other questions anonymously brought forth by the audience included: What’s the normal amount of total people slept with throughout college for males and females? How often are your casual hookups someone you already know well outside of that context? How do you recommend getting closure at the end of a hookup?
The Courageous Conversations series will continue throughout this academic year and will address a myriad of other hot topics on campus.