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Campus Nudist
Organizations
For spontaneous unofficial nudity on many campuses,
see the streaking page. For dreams
about what could be, see the visionary
colleges page. For non-campus groups of this same age range,
see the young adult groups page.
Here are
student nudist organizations officially recognized by their colleges:
Most people had forgotten
about the early student nudist group at Cal State Northridge before the
University of Pennsylvania Naturist Student
Association claimed in 1994 to be the first in the nation. Unlike
other groups, the Pennsylvania club staged a one-hour nude recruiting
drive on campus, citing freedom of speech protection. The group
fell apart when
Gons Nachman, the founder, graduated.
The Longhorn Nudists organized at the University of
Texas at Austin in February of 1995, but collapsed before the year was
out. Five years later, someone tried to revive the club with a
web page that was never finished. During the organization's brief
existence, they managed to get themselves officially recognized by
campus authorities, make contact with the local naturist group, and
publish some useful pointers in Nude
& Natural.
The University of
Toronto Naturists claimed (probably accurately) in 1998 to be the first
campus nude organization officially recognized in Canada.
Unfortunately, their swims at an off-campus rented pool attracted some
community members, but few students. The group faded away when
Thomas Lundy, the founder, graduated.
And so, Naturally
FSU, founded in 2009 at Florida State University, is the fifth known
officially recognized student naturist group in North America.
Unlike the other groups, it is affiliated with a longstanding nudist
organization in the community.
Au Naturel at CSUN
by Gary Mussell
The first college nudist club in the country was at
Cal State Northridge started in 1973. I know, I was there, one of
its charter members. This preceded the campus clubs in
Pennsylvania and Toronto by a full decade. The CSUN group stayed
together for about 10 years, through the 1970s and into the
mid-80s. Many of us remained active even after graduation as a
non-landed club and some of us are still friends 35 years later.
The full story: We were officially recognized and
registered with the college. The 70s were the heyday of free
beaches, so it wasn’t as tough as today.
Even so, we went through quite a number of student
government committee meetings as I recall, and our faculty sponsor had
tenure and that helped. We had to have all meetings
off-campus. Luckily one of the students lived only a mile from
campus and had a large back yard and pool, so we met there and had
monthly pool parties. I remember each Halloween we had a body
painting party at the home of one member who didn’t mind the
paint splatters.
After we all graduated we continued to use each
other’s back yards for pool parties, plus there were a couple of
houseboat trips. Once we took over a motel in Palm Springs and
had it nude just for us for a weekend. Elysium Fields, which was
about 10 miles away, gave us a “club day” once a month, so
that is how many in the group were introduced to that nudist park.
The club’s name was Au Natural. Our
downfall was we stopped finding new members and leaders on
campus. We were still going strong but eventually CSUN closed us
for inactivity at the college. After Elysium closed in 2000 many
of us organized our current club, Southern California Naturist
Association, and there are about 6-7 of us old timers from Au Natural
still active in it today. Somewhere there is a photo album of all
of us VERY young in a hot tub and also on a
houseboat I think, if you are interested. Fun times.
U Penn Nudists Bare All at Rally
by Daniel Gingiss
Daily Pennsylvanian
May 13, 1994
Due to the near-90-degree temperatures at the end of
last month, most students were scantily dressed in T-shirts and
shorts. But for members of the newly-formed University of
Pennsylvania Naturist Student Association, the day was an occasion to
not dress at all. The Association--the first of its kind in the
United States, according to president, second year Law student Gons
Nachman--held a one-hour demonstration at the Peace Symbol on College
Green to show that "nude is not lewd." As wide-eyed students,
faculty and Open Expression Monitors alike looked on, the group of
about eight stripped down to complete nakedness.
According to the Association's Basic Principles and
Philosophy document, the group believes that nudity is "natural,
wholesome, and positive," and should not be equated with sexuality.
"I started this organization because I wanted to
take advantage of the intelligent environment of a college campus to
make the philosophy of naturism visible in the community," Nachman
announced to a group of about 50 passersby. "We want to show, as
you can see, that we feel comfortable with nudity."
The event consisted of five brief speeches by
Association members, plus a few videos on the naturist movement.
Nachman, who said he has studied constitutional and criminal law,
maintains "that our behavior is lawful and is protected by the First
Amendment of the Constitution because we are trying to communicate a
message."
Nachman and company have defended that message
several times in the past. In April, 1993, after being denied
permission to appear nude in a law class because a student was
uncomfortable, Nachman stood naked outside the Law School on Sansom
Street in silent protest. And last summer, the Association
performed in a nude run across campus--in broad daylight.
Pierce College freshman Monica Obiols, who was one
of two women to appear nude April 25, said she does not understand why
nudity is considered more of a taboo for women than for men. "I
guess it's because it's an issue that has been around for many years,
so women don't think about it anymore," she said. "They just do
what society wants them to do and just follow the rules."
First-year Education graduate student Phillip
Tromovitch said he is pleased not only with the turnout of people to
watch the event, but with their attitudes as well. "Most of the
people here that are in the audience aren't really paying attention,"
he said. "It's not a big deal--there's a bunch of naked people up
here and people don't really care." Tromovitch, who spends most of his
time at home in the nude, said the apparent apathy toward the nude
students is good because it means people are accepting of it and that
it is seemingly natural.
College senior David Abramson, the only University
undergraduate to appear in the demonstration, said it is important to
differentiate between nudity and sexuality. "Nudity and sexuality
are not inextricably intertwined," he said. "They are separable,
and this should, if nothing else, demonstrate that."
The event continued peacefully for more than an
hour, and the once wide-eyed students on College Green went back to
eating their lunches.
"I think it's great--I don't think I could do it,
but more power to them and I enjoy watching," said first-year Medical
student Bill Resnick, who was dining on the Green. "I think the
people are actually pretty brave to do what they're doing, and act on
their principles."
What Has Worked at the
U.T.-Austin
by Kevin Kelly
Nude & Natural 15.3
Do:
● Do get the word out. You need to distribute
flyers, post bulletins, take out ads in the student paper, and anything
else you can do to let people know that your group exists. This
is the most important step.
● Do register with your school as a bona fide
student group. At most colleges and universities you only need a
few registered students in your organization for it to be recognized by
the administration; at the University of Texas, for example, the
minimum is three. When registering, explain some of your
activities to the Student Organization office. For example, I let
them know ahead of time that we planned to hold clothing-optional
rallies at our free speech area, and they were fine with that.
However, each school is different, and may have more stringent
guidelines for registering a group, or prohibitions on what kind of
activities may be sanctioned. It's a good idea to check out your
school's policy first.
One benefit of registering is, of course, greater
exposure. I have had several people browse through the list of
student organizations, then call me for more information. Being
registered also gives you credibility; it establishes you as a
legitimate group composed of people who are sincere in their
organization's stated beliefs. At some schools, registered
student organizations are eligible for small amounts of grant money
that may be used for further promotion of the group and for its
activities.
● Do have a clear idea in mind of what your group's
goals and activities will be. My number was posted in the paper
and people began calling right away. I stumbled through a few
conversations before I fully thought out the direction in which I
wanted to take the club. It's best not to let that happen.
● Do look for support from established local
Naturist groups, if there are any in your area. I approached
Austin's Hill Country Nudists with my plans and they were more than
supportive with ideas, materials, contacts and even places to hold
meetings. If you can, establish a good rapport with other
Naturist groups. They are a great resource, and can also add to
your credibility.
● Do network with other college Naturist groups
nationwide. Contact their main representatives. They can
often provide you with great insight, experience and information;
remember, they have faced many of the same challenges and questions you
will be facing.
● Do network with other groups with whom you may
share common ground. I discovered that the Liberal Arts Council
at our school holds skinny-dipping parties regularly, so they were very
interested in our club. You may also find people of similar
interests in the art and drama departments, for example. These
are good places to post bulletins.
● Do plan special activities and events for your
club to be involved in. We thought of having art sessions with
the art department, clothing drives at local laundromats, and other
high-profile campus events. Being involved in community service
activities can help create a positive image for your club and add
members to your roster at the same time.
Don't:
● Don't go ahead with clothing-optional events on
campus without talking to the administration first. It's also a
good idea to be familiar with the local and state laws regarding public
nudity. In Austin, for example, it is legal for women to be
topfree, and nudity must be considered "lewd" for citations to be
issued. This is important; you don't want your first big event to
end in arrests and negative controversy.
● Don't let the media have the opportunity to
portray your group in a negative light. Inform the student and
perhaps local papers of upcoming activities, and invite them to
attend. Discuss in detail your club's philosophy and explain in
detail what the club (and Naturism in general, if necessary) is all
about. Provide them with newsletters, pamphlets or other
materials your club produces. If possible, invite them to an
event that is already likely to bring you positive exposure, like a
charity fund raiser.
● Don't rest on your laurels. Be aware from
the beginning that you are going to have to spend some time on this if
it is going to work. For example, I spent about two hours a week
on our newsletter, and planned our meetings in advance to maximize
their effectiveness. A club that is poorly structured or managed
sporadically can become disorganized faster than you can imagine, but...
● Don't overdo it; have fun. Don't
overstructure your group either. I have been involved with some
groups that spent way too much time dealing with officer elections and
appointments and other red tape. I have found that a senior
representative (the club "leader") can easily guide discussions and the
like with the rest of the members' input, and everyone can play a part
in directing the club's activities.
● Don't be afraid to get involved. I held back
for one or two semesters because I wasn't sure how my ideas would be
received. But once things got rolling I was really glad I took a
chance and started the group.
Students Go Starkers
(Nudist Club at University of Toronto)
Maclean's
April 26, 1999
Thomas Lundy will not be forgotten by the lifeguards
at the University of Toronto Athletic Centre anytime soon. Lundy,
26, an education student, started the first official naturist (nudist)
club on campus last September--actually the first approved naturist
club at any Canadian university. "I was pleasantly surprised at
how smoothly everything went," says Lundy, who organizes monthly nude
swims for the 100 members at the university pool. "Besides a
couple of guys who only came because they wanted to watch, everyone has
been very supportive."
When Lundy was eight years old, his family moved
from Toronto to Lahr, Germany, where they got into the naturist
lifestyle. When Lundy returned from Europe 13 years later, he
decided to import his clothes-free lifestyle to Canada. He has
since made it safe for University of Toronto students and faculty to
enjoy nude swimming and volleyball--"the most popular naturist
sport." Now, he has turned his attention to the famous European
Naturist Student Festival in Rotterdam, Holland, the largest nude event
of its kind in the world. Lundy and five members of the U of T
club are going to the festival in May--becoming the first Canadian
group to attend the gathering. "It is a complete nude village,"
says Lundy, describing the setting for the four-day event that attracts
more than 500 young people and includes activities such as music,
dancing and body painting. "And now we will be able to have a
Canadian team for the organized competitive sports." Nude curling
anyone?
FSU Campus Group Officially
Recognized
The Bulletin
March 2010
For just the fifth time in history, a North
American college has officially recognized a student nudist
organization. (The first four were California State
University at Northwood in the 1970s, the University of Pennsylvania,
the University of Texas at Austin,
and the University of Toronto in the 1990s. The last three groups
didn't last long.) Now Florida State University has recognized
Naturally FSU, a subsidiary of Tallahassee Naturally.
Richard
Bertram of our SIG serves as the faculty advisor.
Tallahassee Naturally has for decades maintained
about a 15% student membership--better than any other club is
doing. So why would they bother with a campus organization--given
the short-lived history of such groups, and the fact that Tallahassee
Naturally draws its students from three or four different
colleges? The answer is growing xenophobia on the FSU campus that
was making it impossible to let students know about nudist
opportunities. (The latest xenophobic manifestation is actual
barriers in the streets, preventing cars from getting within several
blocks of the library.) As reported in this newsletter, community
organizations or people with outside ideas are increasingly barred from
display tables, speaking opportunities, and bulletin board use. A
student nudist organization is probably not what bureaucrats had in
mind, but that is what their restrictive policies have produced.
So far, the news has not traveled through the entire bureaucracy; there
could be trouble yet.
There have been no problems at historically black
Florida A & M University, Tallahassee Community College, or nearby
Valdosta State University. Also nearby, tiny Thomas University
has always censored its student newspaper, so their students are
unaware of nudist opportunities in the area.
Some FSU professors see the new organization as
entirely appropriate. After all, the college streaking movement
of the 1970s largely began at Florida State.
Trevor Woods, a senior at FSU, seized the
initiative, and steered the new group through the bureaucratic
hurdles. His next job is to find a successor. That is where
previous student nudist organizations have faltered. But they did
not have the support of a thriving nudist group in the community.
The hope is that if and when a leadership vacuum occurs, Tallahassee
Naturally can step in and find new leadership. The model here is
FSU’s Center for Participant Education--the last survivor of the
“free universities” of the 70s. Several times, the
center has nearly collapsed during periods of weak leadership, but each
time, alumni and teachers of non-credit classes in the community have
stepped in to keep it going.
Naturally FSU’s constitution promises no
nudity on campus. Instead, the group will encourage participation
in Tallahassee Naturally’s student-oriented events: the annual
College Greek Athletic Meet, and monthly Full-Moon Skinny-Dips during
the warmer months. There have also been independent student-only
skinny-dipping excursions to sinkholes in the nearby national forest.
Naturally FSU brochure
2011
Naturally FSU
Naturally FSU is currently the only officially
recognized college nudist organization in the nation. It is part
of a long tradition. Other officially recognized groups have
flourished at:
California State
University at Northridge, 1973-c.83
University of Pennsylvania, 1994-c.98
University of Texas at Austin, 1995
University of Toronto, 1998-c.2000
Florida State University, 2009-
There have also been unofficial groups such as the
Hamilton College Varsity Streaking Team. And many colleges for
years had an annual streak, including the Naked Mile at the University
of Michigan and the so-called Nude Olympics at Princeton. Purdue,
Stanford, Holy Cross, Southern California, and countless other colleges
had similar traditions right up until recently. Rice still
does. And don't forget that the national college streaking fad of
the 1970s started pretty much at FSU. Lots of Tallahassee's
leading citizens cherish memories of those fine free days.
Naturally FSU does not streak, but organizes
participation in legal nude events in the Tallahassee area.
Naturism is about being natural in nature. It
is not about sex. Here is an opportunity to become comfortable
with yourself, and take pride in all that you are. Here is a
chance to find your place in nature, just as thousands of generations
have before you. Feel the sun and the wind tingling every hair on
your body. Discover true freedom. Find peace with yourself
and the world around you.
-----
Full-Moon Skinny-Dips
Naturally FSU is closely affiliated with Tallahassee
Naturally, the local nudist group with the largest percentage of
college students in the nation. They sponsor Full-Moon
Skinny-Dips during the warm months (usually April through
October). These events are free—just right for a student
budget.
Enjoy that all-American pastime: a skinny-dip at the
ole' swimmin' hole. Add to it the light of a full moon, a blazing
campfire, a marshmallow roast, mellow conversation, chirping of the
crickets, and the pine trees rustling overhead for a memorable evening
attuned to yourself and nature. A drum circle and/or overnight
camping are additional options.
Rides are available. A guide will meet you at
7:00 in the parking lot south of the FSU bookstore, or you can get
dates and directions to the lake on the Tallahassee Naturally web site.
Follow
Tallahassee Naturally on Facebook
For lots of
local information, go to:
www.tallahasseenaturally.org
For statewide
activities check out:
www.floridayoungnaturists.com
And for
general college nudity, visit
www.paullevalley.com/sig
-----
College Greek Athletic Meet
Each spring (usually late March), Tallahassee
Naturally sponsors the world's only authentically nude re-enactment of
the ancient pentathlon.
Join students from several colleges for a day of
authentic Greek athletics—nude just like 2500 years ago.
There are morning demonstrations and practice in the ancient methods,
then afternoon competition in the pentathlon (long jump, discus,
200-yard dash, javelin, and stand-up wrestling). Real athletes
and people who have never tried anything like this before compete in
separate divisions. There are men's and women's divisions.
The idea is to discover what it really felt like to be a student in
ancient Greece, where the goal was a well developed mind in a well
developed body—where students spent all year perfecting
themselves, then presented themselves naked before the gods as an act
of worship.
[Photo of participating athletes from several
colleges omitted here.]
-----
Other Local Nude Opportunities
Suntan Lake
Tallahassee Naturally rents a 40-acre woods with a
6-acre blue lake near Monticello (the next town to the east). It
is available every weekend year-round (from Friday noon till Sunday
evening). Sundays are almost always the bigger day. From
April through October, the last Sunday of the month is a picnic, so
bring food to share. Get that all-over tan without zapping
yourself. How about a game of naked volleyball or badminton or
frisbee? Or natural hiking and canoeing? It's a great place
to do homework or bring children. First visit free. Low
student rates.
Sinkhole Tour
The forests south of Tallahassee are honeycombed
with sinkholes—places with deep clear water where people have
skinny-dipped since the time of the Indians. Learn where the best
of them are, so you and your friends can go anytime you want.
Tallahassee Naturally sponsors at least one guided tour each summer.
Florida Young Naturists
This statewide organization sponsors large
college-age nude gatherings—often during breaks, and perhaps near
where you are spending your break.
Why wait?
Every year, college juniors and seniors finally get
up their nerve to try nude recreation. And they immediately kick
themselves for not doing it a couple of years sooner. Don't waste
this rare opportunity. Be free this year.