Towson, MD - Let's talk about sex. Or would you like to just read about it in
The Towerlight?
“Yes, I've read them all,” said student Zachary Chandler.
An anonymous author wrote an opinion piece about masturbation in Towson University’s Newspaper. “It got people to read the Towerlight," offered student Lauren Greenberg. But the column quickly became controversial.
Several community members, even the adminstration, voiced their opposition. Matt Radhe said, “I don't think sex should be that taboo.” Fellow student Tom Pope added, “Apparently some of the residents hall show pornographic videos like on the TV’s and stuff and for them to get made about an article just seems really confusing to me."
The administration would not comment but after weeks of backlash, the paper's editor resigned. “I personally made some poor editorial decision regarding the bedpost," said former editor-in-chief Carrie Wood.
The column spared no detail; and while many excerpts are too graphic for this story one sentence give you an idea: 'Regardless of how you do it, you should be aroused, pleased and totally safe.'
“Based on some of the stuff we were hearing from the administration it seemed that they were trying to infringe on our rights," Woods said.
The Towerlight is a student run paper. Staffers said they will continue to fight the administration. But Wood feels it's a battle better fought without her; though she has the support of several students.
“I think people are overreacting,” said Tom Pope.
“I supported her decision to run it, said another student.
“You can't just always go by what people tell you," added another.
The Towerlight has already named a new editor in chief. She's a Senior mass communications major who already worked for the newspaper. Carrie Wood is still writing for
The Towerlight. Wood, a junior, had been on the editorial board since her freshman year. She served as Editor-in-Chief since April.