http://tinyurl.com/4ojbk

I posted this to my website to....

Thank you Spunky!
Notice the link I put up there? News: College and Nudity

Boyd

Hey Boyd:

I saw at you add College nudity. Its up to you, but there was a student in Northern California-Berkeley that went to his Classes nude for about 30 days or so. Its late and I am trying to remember the city but I believe it was around 1988. I can't find it online.

Spunky

Yes, I remember the story. It was not "Illegal" to be nude, but he pushed it so much that he became a nuisance to the community, even going to a public meeting in the nude. So they made a law against nudity just because of his way of doing things. Maybe he should have shown a little humility and service to the community and showing nudity not as an "in your face" attitude and forcing people his way, but to be an example of peace and service.

He did say that he grew up to be nude as much as he wanted to be (spoiled?), so he was hoping to continue that way when he went to college.

He did get a lot of support from his college friends, but his "off campus" activities pushed the envelope and the law was set.

There are examples of "how to" (see the above link) and "how NOT to", (see The Naked Guy at Berkeley)

Boyd

I can understand the youthful idealism and exhuberance that led to this standoff. But there is a delicate balance between the need to push the envelope for social change and pushing so hard that we get shoved even further back. We don't want a backlash from offended prudes.

The new Dean of students is obviously taking a harder line, but he is also facing pressures from outside that the students do not appreciate.

I don't know if massive nude protests next spring are going to get the results they hope for.

With society the way it is, a reasonable goal would be to allow nude sunbathing in discrete areas on campus, nude swims at the school pool at set times, official toleration of annual streaking events and maybe times for nude use of tennis courts and other recreational facilities.

Nudity in classrooms and areas frequented by guests from off-campus is something our society is simply not ready for and not negotiable.

I wonder if these bright but perhaps naive students realize this.

... especially about pushing so hard that we get pushed farther bak in the other direction. It's a delicate balance.

You wondered if the students were aware of the points tha you made. They have to have some form of contact- maybe you could tell them.

Youthful enthusiasm and idealism, when guided by the wisdom of experience, can be a wonderfully effective combination.

God Bless
Kevin

I think the students in this town does have the support of the town, including the city manager, which is unusual. This state has a history of treating nudity as natural, but conforming to a small degree to pressures outside of the state a.k.a "tourists" or in each case, when someone complains (which is rare).

The people that were offended were not the locals (including the Dean). The locals probably don't need a tour of the campus (small town) and they already know of the nudity.

The offended were probably from out of town, WAY out of town!

I see the need to push, and in the case of Berkeley, CA, they are pushing the envelope even harder and with more damage than the Vermont case. I think the campus in VT has a better chance of survival for nudity.

Better to be naive in a college setting where there is social support than trying to do it alone like we are.

Boyd "I think I need to go to college" Allen

Boyd,

I will attempt to follow the progress of this push for freedom.

If the students can make the administration back down, then great! Let them be nude anytime anyplace if possible.

Kevin suggested getting in touch with leaders of the body freedom movement there. I think it would be good for the students to know that we want them to succeed and are available for support if asked.

I had thought the same thing. I am willing to help (time permitting) to get the leaders together on a national website for college students who want naturism as a freedom.

I wouldn't encourage public streaking or "flashing" but everyday naturism in a positive way would be great.

Children are too young for this group since it would look suspicious, many older folks (though many of us are here) are harder to work with in stepping out in public and "making waves".

But college students are great to work with because of the support they have on campus (if only other students) and the excitement they have for their future. They also want to play a big part in social change for the good.

If anyone wants to volunteer to help by sending letters of encouragement and hope, and an invite to work with us, would be great. But we will have to first get together and discuss the terms of the support we will be willing to give.

The chat room would be a great place to work this out, but we will need to post the results here on a permanent area.

Let me know what you think on this.

Boyd

That's a great idea for the chat. Can't see myself just going to a chat room to chat.

When is it?

Ralph
The naked gardener
God's original intent

I set aside Tuesday night, 8PM EST.

See above link.
If that doesn't work, let us know.

Boyd

Boyd,

Sun and Fun Nude Travel offers FREE Web hosting for nudist groups. I am considering using them for a new site of my own.

I re-read the CNN article and saw that there is a nude activities club at Bennington College, including the names of a couple of students we might want to look up.
(Sophomore Allison Zoll, active with the college's nude activities club and senior Lindsey Gage, who is leading the fight for free choice about clothing. A recent campus rally in favor of the right to be nude included 200 students, many of whom might be willing to carry on the banner after Gage graduates.
I suggest copying that article before it gets replaced by more current ones.

I am aware of a few nudist Web sites for young adults:

INA has a section for young naturists on their forum.

There is also:

Naturist Students

The Naturist Society Singles Special Interest Group is not necessarily for young people, but would also be of interest.

SunnyDay is the Web handle of a young woman who is an excellent blogger and she has an active forum with many young participants. Her Web site includes a link to her forum.

There is a Young Naturists Web Ring.

I suggest that you join if you create a new site.

Not to overlook the world beyond the USA, there are:
Young Canadian Naturists and

Alizé - Youth organization of the French FFN


For practical advice, I recommend that we get in touch with
George, the former leader of the nudist club at Western Kentucky University (which may be inactive currently).

I already have a link (reciprocal) to Sunny Days site. I will look into the others as well.

I had avoided the singles sites for obvious reasons, but maybe if we can show a little support, we can encourage the college students which are not necessarilly single.

I'll look into setting up another link page of College sites that support naturism on my website. Then we can update it with new college clubs that are active.

Thanks for your help and enthusiasm,

Boyd

Boyd,

Here are two additional links with advice or discussions on college nudist clubs:
Cybernude's Campus-Nude Discussion List This list is open for students, faculty, and anybody else interested in helping promote and discuss issues surrounding nudism at University and College campuses. You do not have to be a student to join the list, however the topics discussed here are generally of interest to the 18-30 crowd. Why would you want to join a "campus-related", "nudist" email list? Here are a few reasons...

Start/join a local college naturist group.
Organize trips to a CO location.
Discuss aspects of student nudism with other likeminded people

NaturistStudents is the name of a list server & message board section at Sunclad.Com. They also offer free Web-based e-mail addresses (which will help safeguard the privacy of the owners of new campus nudist/naturist clubs).