Cornell faces backlash over explicit sex education materials

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 03:37 · Archive

Cornell University distributed sex education materials discussing group sex and encounters involving alcohol or drugs.

Cornell University has come under criticism for explicit sex education materials it distributed to students. The Ivy League institution's health service published materials in 2019 including a checklist titled 'Yes, No, Maybe So: A Sexual Inventory Stocklist,' which listed numerous sexual activities and asked students to indicate their interest in them.

The checklist included activities described as 'sex with three partners at a time' and 'sex with more than three partners at a time', alongside suggestions about 'casual or occasional open non-exclusive sexual relationships' and 'initiating or having sex while or after drinking alcohol or other recreational drugs'. Cornell Health also recommended other materials for dorm displays discussing BDSM, fetish gear, sex toys and 'mutual touching'.

Critics argue that the explicit content of these materials sends troubling messages to students about boundaries and consent. However, both outlets report there is no evidence the materials played any role in alleged misconduct. The criticism has intensified following allegations that seven Chi Phi fraternity members gang-raped a woman in October 2024 after plying her with drugs including ketamine. The university closed the Chi Phi chapter in response.

How it is being reported

• Cornell University's shocking sex pamphlets handed out to students encouraging orgies and BDSM exposedCornell University is facing backlash over explicit sex education materials discussing orgies, BDSM and sexual encounters involving alcohol or recreational drugs.Daily Mail · 11 Oct, 03:18
• Cornell handed students raunchy sex checklist discussing ‘three partners at a time’ — which could’ve led to frat orgies: criticsCornell University hosts sex-ed materials for students that discuss "sex with more than three partners at a time" and having sex after drinking or doing drugs and other acts that critics claim encourage the very behavior that led to the scandal at the Chi Phi Fraternity.New York Post · 10 Oct, 18:41

In this story: Cornell University · Chi Phi · Cornell Health · Tompkins County

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