Harvard undergrads to publish sex magazine

Controversy has erupted at Harvard University over a recent decision to approve a student-run publication that will contain nude photographs of Harvard undergraduates and articles with sexual content.

On Feb. 10, the Committee on College Life -- composed of students, faculty and staff -- approved the proposed publication, which will be called H Bomb. Fourteen members of the 16-member committee approved, with two abstaining.

The student-run magazine was proposed in early December by two Harvard undergraduates -- sophomore Katharina Baldegg and junior Camilla Hrdy -- with Psychology professor Marc Hauser acting as a faculty adviser.

Although the two students could not be reached for comment, they released a joint statement saying, "H Bomb will be a magazine that deals with sex and the issues surrounding sex for men and women of all sexual orientations."

Almost immediately following the publication's approval, controversy erupted over the proposed "pornography" magazine. However, the creators contend that the content is not pornographic.

Harvard officials have said that the university will not face any liability issues and that the magazine will have to conform to the same rules as other student publications.

"In accordance with the policy governing all of Harvard's publications, students will not be able to take pictures inside Harvard buildings," said Robert Mitchell, Faculty of Arts and Sciences spokesman.

The university also released a statement on Feb. 12 in an attempt to clarify their position on H Bomb, saying, "The proposal to publish a magazine called H Bomb was approved by the CCL based on the understanding that it would not include material that would be considered pornographic."

The statement went on to say that the CCL will review the proposal with the students in order to reach an understanding that the magazine will not "be involved in the dissemination of pornographic material."

Approval from the CCL gives the students the ability to apply for grants but does not guarantee that they will receive funding. The university has already stated that "no funds from Harvard College will be provided for this publication," which could make the magazine significantly more difficult to publish.

H Bomb will not, however, be the first of its kind. That distinction belongs to a student-run publication at Vassar College called Squirm. H Bomb is said to be modeled off of this erotic magazine, founded five years ago with the purpose of creating a "sex-positive forum on campus for the artistic, literary and creative exploration of sex."

Only students of Harvard College who are 18 years of age or older will be allowed to pose for H Bomb. Baldegg and Hrdy plan to distribute the magazine biannually, with the first issue coming out during commencement ceremonies in May.

Despite all the furor over their new publication, Baldegg and Hrdy propose to create a forum for open-minded, all-inclusive discussions on relevant sexual issues.

"What we are proposing is an outlet for literary and artistic expression that is both desired and needed -- not a pornographic magazine."

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