Kevin Davies
Staff Writer

Greek life members throughout the country are plagued by stereotypes of being careless in alcohol consumption, academics and sexual behavior. Unfortunately, stereotypes such as these often overshadow the leadership opportunities, life experiences and the sisterhood or brotherhood that is shared within fellow members of these organizations.

The locally founded Iota Delta sorority made the brave and noble decision March 16 to showcase Greek life at the University of La Verne in a positive light through their “No Sex or Latex” campaign.

“I think it is great when student organizations plan programs and service projects that draw attention to important issues that affect students,” said Chip West, director of student life.

The campaign was designed to educate an audience of more than a 100 students about safe sex options and/or abstinence.

“This event was a wonderful example of that and Iota Delta really was active in partnering with other groups on campus to put together this program,” West said. “If even one student has learned a little bit more about this issue and thinks twice in the future before they engage in risky behavior, choosing to make a different, more safe decision, than it was worth it.”

A typical safe sex campaign is often characterized by an older nurse passing out free condoms and pamphlets on birth control, as well as providing a drawn out lecture on the dangers of unsafe sex. However Iota Delta rocked the boat with their campaign by reaching out to a collegiate student audience with a proper twist of bizarre sex games and accurate information.

“We are all college students, so we know people are sexually active,” Iota Delta President Nancy Reyes said. “We feel that it is better to be safe, than sorry. It may be an uncomfortable topic for some, but it is good to be educated.”

Three games were played during the day that included “wrap it and tap it” (putting condoms on bananas), “white cream red cherry” (picking cherries out of whipped cream) and the board game “Dirty Minds.” Condoms were handed out in the form of “love eggs,” as were a variety of pamphlets on sexually transmitted diseases. A pleasure booth was also available that provided sexual books and sex toys for students to look through.

“It was definitely a different experience for students at a school like La Verne,” junior business major Pat Mottola said. “I had no idea the event was going to be going on until I saw loads of students running around and condoms all about. This was the perfect event for college students because no one our age is going to respond to lectures.”

This campaign could not ?have come at a better time, as collegiate sexual behavior and alcohol consumption are on the rise.

Over consumption of alcohol is the No. 1 cause of unsafe sex being practiced today.

STDs are spreading rapidly through college campuses and are continuing to destroy lives every day.

“As an organization, we knew that just passing out information and condoms was not going to attract students or help us to educate them,” Iota Delta sister Tamara Combs said.

“We needed to try something new and we feel this was a success for our organization, Greek life in general, and the University of La Verne,” she added.

A great deal of sisterhood and leadership was involved to help make this organization take a stand and send a message to their peers.

While only a small fraction of the student population attended the event, the message that the Iota Delta sent was very clear. and the event was indeed a success.

“Safe sex is necessary for students to learn to live by because without it, you put yourself and others in danger,” Combs said.

Kevin Davies can be reached at kdavies@ulv.edu.