The Brandeis Academic Debate and Speech Society argued the pros and cons of the Brandeis administration placing restrictions on "sexually provocative" events during a public debate last Tuesday in the Shapiro Campus Center Atrium. BADASS member and Director of Union Affairs Jason Gray '10 provided an introduction, informing the audience that BADASS puts on public debates in response to happenings on campus that are of interest to the student body.

Every debater had six minutes to make a case for or against a resolution stating that "the administration should be allowed to intervene in the programming of 'sexually provocative' events such as the 'Anything but Clothes' dance and Liquid Latex shows/events."

Evan Green-Lowe '10 and Mariel Gruszko '10 argued in favor of administrative intervention, while Jack Bouchard '10 and Carly Greenberg '11 argued against it.

Green-Lowe opened the debate with an explanation of three key points in favor of the administration: the rights of the college and administration; what the college experience should be; and the effects of sexually provocative events. Regarding the last of these points, Green-Lowe said that events such as the "Less You Wear, Less You Pay" dance encouraged students to objectify themselves. Green-Lowe also said that the events make some students uncomfortable and consequently hurt the sense of community at Brandeis.

Bouchard refuted Green-Lowe's argument, saying that students are not forced to attend sexually provocative events and thus are not helplessly objectified by them.

Bouchard followed this by depicting displays of sexuality at such happenings as "consensual expressions of art" and noted that administrative intervention is censorship.

Such restriction of free speech, Bouchard said, would turn away prospective students seeking a campus with a government that protects the rights of students to express themselves.

Gruszko backed up Green-Lowe's initial argument by pointing out that although attending the events may be optional and consensual, the entire campus atmosphere would change because of what happens at a certain event. Gruszko said that these events create an expectation on campus that the next time a similar event occurs, students should participate due to an impression that these happenings are a key part of the Brandeis experience.

Greenberg, also arguing against intervention from the administration, said she believed that Gruszko was exaggerating the importance of such events on campus and that effects of sexually provocative occurrences "blow over" fairly quickly.

Greenberg reinforced Bouchard's initial argument regarding interest in Brandeis, saying that "kids won't come here if they don't feel they have the same freedom of expression."

During the debate, members of the audience were given two minutes to discuss their views on the resolution. After this participation period, the debate resumed and each side was given three minutes for final rebuttals.

Attendees' opinions differed; some said that the administration is responsible for upholding the reputation of its students and should place restrictions, while others believed that the events are beneficial to Brandeis' image. They said alumni like to hear of the continuing presence of events that existed when they were here.

During winter break, BADASS competed in the 28th World University Debating Championship at Assumption University of Thailand in Bangkok. One of BADASS' two-member groups, composed of Joel Todoroff '09 and Green-Lowe, ranked as one of the competition's top eight teams.