University of Virginia Library

No More Groping In The Dark

By Gray Stiff
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

For all of us who remember the
Victorian sexual attitudes that
prevailed upon our nation's
campuses up until the latter '60s
there is an exciting new book just
published that should be a source
of great release to us all. Entitled
"The Student Guide to Sex on
Campus" this new Signet Special
will ring ecstasy to those of us who
have been groping in the dark for
sexual meaning lately.

The book is published by the
Student Committee on Human
Sexuality at Yale University, and as
stated on its cover is "by college
students, for college students, and
about college students." This
should be comforting for we who
recognize the urgent need for some
plain, matter of fact, downright
elementary discussion of sex among
the student generation today.

Unlike other books which cover
only the usual marriage practices,
the Student Guide deals with the
whole spectrum of carnal activity.
Its fourteen chapters take the
reader all the way from the first
resolution to go ahead and "do it"
right up to the time when the
crucial incision to get the abortion
is made.

In between these areas is some
of the most illuminating discussion
that this reviewer has ever probed.
Just one example is found in the
section entitled Male Anatomy,
wherein we find that 'the penis is
soft when the male is not sexually
aroused and erect when he is.'

Following this section we find a
comprehensive section titled "Some
Questions Students Ask," in which
we discover once and for all the
answers to such queries as "What is
Virginity?" and "How can I be
good in bed?"

Interspersed through the book
are various photographs which
contribute immeasurably to the
book. In the section entitled
"Contraception" there is a helpful
photo of the "condom" or
"rubber" as it is sometimes called.
Of particular interest to male
readers will be the illustrations of a
diaphragm accompanied by a tube
of "jolly." These photos are in
tasteful black and white and were
taken by Yale photographer
Katherine Kamuck.

The book is quite
comprehensive and makes an
honest attempt to answer questions
from all groups on the sexual
spectrum. Of particular interest to
students in the urban schools will
be the section entitled "Services for
Homosexuals." This section
suggests that gay students might
find some of their own disgusting
kind by consulting underground
newspapers and other kinky
periodicals.

After finishing (this book) this
reviewer attempted to contact the
Yale Committee to uncover the
answers to a couple of burning
questions that were raised. We were
unable to ascertain, however,
whether or not this book can be
used by non-students or indeed, by
students while off campus.

While potentially a highly
dangerous and subversive work, this
book should be required reading for
those enlightened few who can
control the primitive forces that
such dangerous knowledge can
unleash.

Photo by Katherine Kamuck

Yalies Engaged In Practices Discussed In "Student Guide"