TO THE EDITOR:
Multiple newspaper articles have revealed that UNC may cut funding for sexual health and wellness programs in August. As co-chairwomen of Project Dinah, a student organization that works to end sexual assault, we are frightened by this announcement.
University system leaders have used Project Dinah’s annual event titled “Orgasm? Yes, Please!” as an example of an inappropriate use of funds. While the name is pretty racy, students fill the Great Hall each year to learn about safe, consensual and healthy sex.
By opening up a friendly dialogue about sex, “Orgasm? Yes, Please!” provides facts about sex and professional advice from UNC’s Sexual Wellness Specialists to students who would not otherwise seek out this information. We hope that this event has widespread positive effects on UNC’s campus as students use this information in their own sexual experiences.
The event also emphasizes to students the importance of consensual sex, which helps to combat rape culture. Project Dinah believes that encouraging healthy sexual relationships is important in keeping our student body safe, especially as sexual assault on college campuses becomes a more prevalent issue.
The Sexual Wellness Specialists are instrumental in “Orgasm? Yes, Please!,” as well as several other events that make Carolina a safer environment. Cutting the funding to this program would be harmful to the Carolina community.
Madelyn Frumkin ‘15 and Alban Foulser ‘15
Project Dinah Co-chairwomen
