A-State’s “Sex in the Dark” seminar was, on paper, a success. Every seat in Centennial Hall was full, with many even standing. However, this strong attendance wasn’t purely because of the seminar’s exciting name; it was also required for those in Greek life on campus.

This event comes at an appropriate time, amongst public uproar over the response of Cornell University to a sexual assault case. People must be informed of the importance of consent and safe sex practices, especially in Arkansas, an “abstinence-only” sex education state.

A-State’s Office of Title IX, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the A-State Leadership Center and the Division of Student Affairs sponsored the event. Its goal was to educate students about sexuality and consent and to allow students to ask anonymous questions about these topics.

Hosted by Dorian Solot and Donté Smith, the gathering kept the dialogue lighthearted yet serious. Solot is one of the founders of “Sex Discussed Here!” the company behind the “Sex in the Dark” seminar. Co-founded with her husband, Marshall Miller, the company helps train hosts. The couple have written several books together on sex education.

Smith, the second event co-host, has worked for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance. Both Solot and Smith brought strong educational backgrounds in sex education and were great assets to the presentation.

Unfortunately, these professionals faced an audience that was loud, disrespectful, and insensitive.

The “Sex in the Dark” seminar was designed to let students ask their burning questions without shame or embarrassment. Students could also upvote others’ questions, making them more likely to be answered by the hosts.

However, the requirement placed on students in Greek life to attend to avoid a large fine led to a series of unserious questions amid general discomfort. The structure of the event, placing students in control, caused the discussion to skew from serious to joking, to offensive.

One Student, John Wilson, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Salem, Arkansas, said the event brought a mix of emotions.

“All I can say about it is that, unfortunately, it was extremely the most hyped event I’ve been to this semester,” Wilson said. “But that came with annoyance.”

Though the questions were often unserious, the hosts were able to rein in the event by providing important information about consent, anatomy and safe sex practices. But the crowd’s immature responses were constant, with every sexual image on screen being responded to with loud cheers, hoots, and hollers.

This event had great potential to be a positive, open conversation that could educate students on topics often seen as taboo, especially in rural Arkansas. However, that did not happen because some students disrespected the speakers and their message.

This attitude from some members of A-State’s Greek Life student body was particularly offensive in light of the events at Cornell and on our own campus, including an email about a Title IX violation sent as recently as Sept. 27.

Although attendees were warned at the beginning of the event that police officers present would escort disruptive students out, this rule was not enforced. Yes, the event was overcrowded, but ultimately, the lack of crowd control made it even more overwhelming and harder for viewers to understand or fully engage with the message.

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