The famed co-host of the call-in radio show "Loveline," Dr. Drew Pinsky, turned a packed Cohen Auditorium into an open forum on sexuality last night.
Sponsored by Vitality, Hillel's health and wellness initiative, Pinsky's discussion was focused on allowing students to openly discuss a range of sexual issues -from the hook-up culture to STDs to orgasms - chosen by audience members.
"I got the green light to go anywhere tonight," he told the crowd.
Critical to Pinsky's question-and-answer session was a discussion of the role of gender in sexuality.
In comparing the questions typically asked by men and those asked by women on his radio show, he said that both genders are primarily concerned with the sexual experiences of men.
"It bothers me that the men are calling about the men, and the women are calling about the men, too," he said.
Pinsky used the topic of gender to transition into a lengthy discussion revolving around college campuses and their hook-up cultures, probing students to explain why they use alcohol as a catalyst for sexual activity, and why men and women's views of hooking up differ.
"I insist you have a conversation with me tonight," he said. "Why do you get loaded to hook up?"
Pinsky's inquiry was met with an array of responses from both female and male audience members, with members of both genders citing the desire to have sex without being involved in a relationship as the reason that students turn to alcohol.
Those in attendance were happy that the speaker was prodding them to engage with him on the subject.
"I like how he wouldn't just let us sit there and listen," freshman Kimberly Reisman said. "He made us express ourselves. Because that's part of the problem: People don't feel comfortable with themselves."
Neither gender was immune from criticism last night. Pinsky, in response to a student's assertion that women tend to judge each other harshly for their sexual behavior, advocated for more support between females.
"Guys will judge, and they will completely forget about it. But your female friends will lock onto it like a pit bull," he said. "I suggest you become aware of it and stop it. Let your women friends do what they want to do."
While some college students balk at the idea of dating, Pinsky preferred relationships to "friends with benefits" situations.
"We're finding that what's healthy for humans has always been the same thing," he said. "The ability to be present with another human being, to emote with them ... is a monumental experience for a human being. It is the source of health, it is the source of meaning."
The discussion, while addressing universally debated sexual issues, was made specific to Tufts by correspondence between Pinsky and members of Vitality.
"I was really impressed by him because he really was genuine and really cared about [understanding] Tufts and knowing what social life at Tufts was like," said Vitality Co-Chair Laura Hoguet, a sophomore who helped coordinate the event.
He demonstrated this commitment several times throughout the night, telling the audience that he'd originally wanted to attend medical school at Tufts and making comical references to South Hall, the library roof and campus fraternities.
Audience reaction to the speech was positive, and afterwards, Hoguet said that Vitality had found in Pinsky the right person for an important job.
"I thought it was great," she said. "I think it's really important to have an open and casual conversation about sex, particularly sex on college campuses."
