More Than Cupcakes: Alfred's Newest Fundraiser

“College communities are a venue of free expression and ideas,” stated Dean of Students Norm Pollard. And what’s more expressive than the Senate’s newest fundraiser, an implied nudity calendar?

Ana Gauthier got the idea from the University of Vermont’s “Prudent Student” calendar of 2009, which sought to make more money than a simple bake sale. The AU calendar features members from 12 clubs posing behind club props. The props were there to censor the nudity in the photos in a clean and fun manner.

“It wasn’t done in a way that was supposed to be provocative,” Gauthier said. “It is supposed to be funny, and I think that we attained that.”

Dan Napolitano, director of student activities, saw the calendar as a positive project.

“The implied nudity aspect, while an unusual twist, provided clubs several new challenges,” Napolitano stated.

He explained that the topic forced the participants to be creative in covering for the photo and to find confidence and to trust in their fellow club members. Napolitano and Gauthier aimed for the calendar to be as clean as possible, but the idea of being naked in front of friends could still be very awkward.

Clubs and members were not forced to participate in the calendar.

“I completely understand why people would be uncomfortable with it,” said Gauthier, “but at the same time it was the decision of the members in the clubs to participate.”

One photo did not come out as anticipated, but Gauthier and Napolitano worked together to help the club censor it more effectively.

“I think calendars, regardless of topic or theme, have been a long-standing and successful way of making money for organizations,” Pollard commented.

As long as the project was done professionally and without pressuring the participants, Pollard did not see an issue with the calendar’s publication.

“It is important to make sure it is a positive experience for those choosing to participate,” Napolitano agreed. And while no one was pressured to participate, no one is being forced to look at the calendar either.

“If the calendar is to continue, I would like to see more in-depth consideration around issues of consent and peer pressure,” Napolitano added.

As Pollard said, college is a host of free expression; maybe the calendar will make another appearance at Alfred in the year to come.