Say no to stripping

LMU students are nothing less than creative when it comes to thinking up new ideas for philanthropic events and fundraisers. Among the latest charitable events, the first annual “Iggy Run” on campus, modeled after many other campus’ “Undie Run,” kicked off this weekend to a somewhat successful reception. According to sophomore marketing and film major Phil Benavides, the creator of the event, about 400 students participated in the evening run across campus wearing nothing but their undergarments.

Though the purpose of the run was to collect clothing donations for St. Joseph Center, the Loyolan has to question the validity of such an event on campus. While the University’s mission is to produce students who have been educated as a whole person, what kind of message does it send to the LMU community when students are seen running, many while inebriated, through campus in their underwear? The image itself questions the principles underlying the event.

The Loyolan recognizes and understands that the intentions of the event were to create a new campus tradition and garner school spirit in the name of charity. However, reflecting on the event, the sight of women running around in lingerie and men in tight underwear is demeaning and offensive to the student population and sends the wrong message to the community.

Sadly, it is not news surprise that women are the targets of many sexual crimes. According to onein4usa.org, one in 4 college women are the victims of rape or attempted rape. Of those victims, 50 percent of these sexual assaults are associated with alcohol use, according to collegedrinkingprevention.org. Encouraging students to appear nearly nude on campus while drunk is almost equivalent to drawing a target on their back for sexual assaults to occur. The Loyolan thinks the administration should rethink their approval of the event and reflect on the message they are sending to the student body by supporting the Iggy Run.

The Loyolan must acknowledge that the event’s intentions were good and that it appreciates the effort made by its creator, Benavides, to get students more involved in service on campus. However, the Loyolan challenges Benavides and other students to find new ways to promote students’ involvement in philanthropic events; ways which uplift students and truly promote their education as a whole person, instead of ways that bring a TMZ reporter to campus, as it did Friday night.

LMU can do better than creating a place where students can be drunk together, charging them to do so, then giving the proceeds to charity. That’s a sad form of philanthropy, and it’s not something for LMU to be proud of. When TMZ shows up to the party, it’s time to reconsider the party. Is the LMU community OK with portraying a collective understanding of philanthropy as “doing anything we want as long as we donate the proceeds to charity”? The Loyolan hopes both the student body and the administration start looking to promote deeper understandings of philanthropy and what it means to be generous.

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration with the Executive Editorial Board.

4 comments

Daniel Modafferi

Thu Apr 15 2010 04:04

The Loyolan (and, it seems, a sizable portion of the LMU community) have mistaken an event with a philanthropic byproduct for a purely philanthropic event. Most schools have undie runs so that students can let off steam before exams and have a little fun. Mr. Benavides managed to take this a fun event and make some good out of it at the same time. People know quite well that there are other ways to donate clothes. They didn't come out to do that. They came out to have fun with their friends. The cost of that fun? A simple donation. Frankly, I think that this type of charity is even more straightforward than what happens at, say, Anchor Splash. There, at an event that is designed to be principally philanthropic in nature, drunk people make a donation in order to be allowed to have fun with their friends while wearing limited clothing. It's the same thing, only the Iggy Run wasn't principally designed as a charity event. The event came first, and adding the donations idea came later. And yet, no one ever criticizes Anchor Splash for endangering our young women by allowing them to be drunk and scantily clothed, nor should it be criticized. It is a fun event that people enjoy and that serves a good cause at the same time. The Loyolan's staff ought to grow up and realize that underwear and bathing suits aren't all that different, despite what some prudish instinct in the backs of their minds might tell them. Ultimately, this was a successful event, and I hope they continue to put it on.

Brendan Russi

Tue Apr 13 2010 17:11

If the Loyolan Editorial Board can manage to get more students than Benavides did to donate their clothing in a single night without holding an event to make it fun and appealing then I will support the statements within this editorial. Otherwise, appreciate the Iggy Run for what it accomplished, recognize that there were no reports of any crimes committed during the run (I.e. it's safe to hold it on campus to minimize and/or prevent sexual assault) and get over your delicate sensibilities. 'Grats on the successful charity run, may you have greater success next year!

Brendan Russi '08

Carlos Rodriguez

Mon Apr 12 2010 23:20

I would suggest LMU students find it in the goodness of their hearts to donate clothes to the Center for Service and Action office, for they actually donate supplies needed at shelters through LA all throught the year. There is also a Goodwill right off Sepulveda that takes clothes and other supplies through the year. And I am also sure that the Homeless Community would greatly appreciate it if not only clothes but also time and conversation was donated.

dwayne smith

Mon Apr 12 2010 18:09

If the writer of this piece isn't 80 years old they sure write like they are. Sounds like s/he thinks that rape victims are asking for it by dressing a certain way...

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