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St. Cloud State University
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Magazines stir controversy
By Carol Seavey
Published:
Monday, September 30, 2002
Magazines containing sexually-oriented covers may be covered up or removed from the Atwood Memorial Center information desk after complaints from students.
“I don’t like the idea that women feel the need to look like that on the cover,” said Marion Sel, information desk manager. “Yet, people are adult here and they can buy and look at whatever they want.”
The magazines Maxim, Stuff and Cosmopolitan are currently under question because of the provocatively posed models on the covers. All of the magazines were displayed in a clear magazine rack on the wall by the cashier’s desk; visible to customers and passers-by.
“We have received some complaints from students that it’s a barrage of sexist images,” said Ed Bouffard, assistant director of Atwood Memorial Center.
The question that arises is whether it’s the university’s responsibility to protect students from such images and does the fact that SCSU sells those magazines reflect its morals.
“Atwood Center needs to reflect the values of the campus,” Bouffard said.
“Maybe the key is education,” said Margaret Voss, director of Atwood Memorial Center. “Then we have a good moral base so that when we come to a university we can make good choices.”
The magazines Playboy and Playgirl were taken off the racks in the 1980s after a protest.
“I don’t think taking the covers off is going to help,” said Julie Freese, 22. “It’s our own responsibility to get the right idea.”
The information desk has already sold all of this month’s copies of Cosmopolitan and Stuff.
“Because they sell, it is the current interest of the student body,” said Noah Koenig, 19.
The concern was brought to the Atwood Council, which consists of student and faculty representatives.
The council decided to place a banner over the magazine rack so that the titles still show but the images cannot be seen. There is a suggestion box for students and faculty to give their input on the situation.
“I wanted to have a balanced approach so both parties can respond,” Bouffard said. “I think this is the best way to get responses.”
So far, responses in the suggestion box have shown a lot of different perspectives. Some find the magazines offensive and think Atwood should no longer sell them. Others feel that it is up to students’ choice whether they want to buy the magazines.
“I don’t think they’re obscene or pornographic at all,” said Darren Luepke, 22. “It’s a public venue and there’s no reason to take them off the shelf.”
The Atwood Council will review suggestions and make a decision next month. Their options are: to leave magazine covers visible, cover the magazines with a sales banner, keep them behind the counter, or to not sell them at all.
“I just don’t feel that censorship is the answer,” Voss said. “Yet I support the staff bringing it to the Atwood Council.”
Bruce Hyde, Atwood Council member, said he could see both perspectives.
“ On the one hand I don’t think everything should be available to get,” he said. “On the other hand I cherish free speech and don’t like censorship. It’s a tough issue.”
