Students said "Aloha" to safe sex at the Latex Luau Monday at the Cook Campus Center. The tropical-themed event was designed to help inform University students about different ways to practice safe sex before heading off to Spring Break.
Now in its tenth year, the Latex Luau is a Rutgers University Programming Association tradition where students can come to enjoy free giveaways, food, music and games.
RUPA representative Diona McClain, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences sophomore, coordinated the event and said it took a lot of time to plan, but her board was helpful with the process.
"Traditionally, we get a lot of prizes," McClain said. "We have a naughty side and a nice side [to the event], and it's basically to promote safe traveling during Spring Break. That's why we do it beforehand. We give away beach towels, Frisbees and things like that."
The Latex Luau brought something new to the table this year: a penis-shaped ice sculpture and an abundance of fruit platters.
In the educational section, there was a "Guess the STD" wheel where STD symptoms were described and students had to identify the correct disease.
But for the lighthearted spirit of the luau, there were games like "Pin the Macho on the Man," "penis ring toss" and a table with products like vibrators and handcuffs. There were also tables with a condom toss and a table where students could race to see who could apply a condom to a cucumber the fastest.
RU Choice served the University community by informing students about women's reproductive rights and sexual health issues, said RU Choice Rep. Liz Jenne-Bacon, a Rutgers College junior.
Cook College junior Stephanie Siwczak said she returned to the event this year after enjoying herself the past few years she has attended.
"It's always a good event, and it's educational," Siwczak said.
Julianne Scurato, the president of RUPA's Cook Executive Council, said both the great turnout and the need for education keeps the event going year after year.
"Our goal is to provide safe sex tips," she said.
