Interested in being Mr. Darcy to a single senior girl? Or taking a long walk under a full moon with a "girl with pronounced veins?" Bowdoin's new personal ads allow students to write profiles and peruse ads posted by others, which range from the silly to the sincere.
Believing that the culture surrounding dating—whether it be a dining hall date, dinner date, friendly or romantic—at Bowdoin could use a little sprucing up, Alliance of Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP) is bringing the date back to Bowdoin with its annual Date Week.
"I think this Date Week is a wake-up call that if we find the right person, then time is no longer an issue," said V-Day co-president Shelby Davies '10.
While Davies acknowledged that "not many people are going to walk away from this week with a new boyfriend/girlfriend," she hoped that students would not ignore Date Week just because they weren't interested in getting involved in a relationship.
One aspect of Date Week that has been popular this year is the personal ads.
Margie Cooper '10, a member of ASAP who is in charge of the personals ads, said that 23 people have submitted them so far, and at least four or five people respond to the ads every day.
"Everyone says 'no one at Bowdoin dates,' but the personals and the responses are just proof that Bowdoin students do want to date," said Cooper. "Hopefully, people will see these ads and stop complaining that they don't date and ask someone out."
As Date Week wraps up, there are still a few events through the weekend for singles and couples alike to participate in.
Tonight, the event "Dinner Date with Eight" will cater to students looking to meet more than one special someone. Students who signed up for the event earlier this week filled out a personality quiz and will dine with seven compatible strangers in Daggett Lounge.
Interested students can also attend tonight's screening of "Zoolander" in Smith Auditorium at 7 p.m., or go skating with a date at Watson Arena from 10:15-11:30 p.m.
Tomorrow, the more adventurous couples on campus can venture on a sunset stroll to Morse Mountain. Those looking for an active date can meet at the Bowdoin Outing Club at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Discounts galore are being offered by town businesses, from 10 percent off selected menu items at the Frontier Café to one free appetizer or dessert to every Bowdoin student at the Great Impasta. For a before or after-dinner activity, students can take advantage of discounts offered by Spare Time Brunswick bowling alley and the Happy Wheels Skate Center in Portland.
Safe Space, V-Day, Bowdoin Men Against Sexual Violence, Peer Health, Inter-House Council, Bowdoin Student Government, the Women's Resource Center, Bowdoin Queer Straight Alliance and the Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity organized Date Week.
"It is refreshing to know that most people at Bowdoin have the same critiques and concerns about dating at Bowdoin," said V-Day co-president Emma Verrill '10.
While students' opinions about dating at Bowdoin can be negative, Date Week is an attempt to promote a healthy and safe dating scene at Bowdoin.
"I'm constantly surprised by how many people actually do go on dates—it's refreshing to know people are taking this seriously," said Verrill.