Exploring Sex Week with Nicole Collins

Grade: Senior
Major: Sociology and Gender Studies
 
Nicole Collins, member of SHAPE, College Feminists, and also director of sex week, describes herself as ‘the head bitch in charge,’ but she’s anything but that.  Despite her busy schedule this week coordinating media outreach, publicity, event planning, etc. she sat down to talk to me about why sex week is so important to Northwestern students-and why she is so fascinated with sex.
 
So, why are you so interested in sex?
It’s the most universal aspect of humanity aside from our own mortality.  It’s something that everyone is fascinated with to some extent.  For some people, they put restrictions of sex-others want to have as much sex as possible.  Some want to talk about it a lot; others feel they can’t talk about it all.  I think America has an unhealthy obsession with sex and Sex Week is healthier way to go about it, it provides something of more substance to talk about.
 
What’s the draw to participating in Sex Week?
These events offer a chance for people to explore areas of sex and sexuality that may be taboo.  I know sex week is almost like a nice safe place- instead of doing the more extreme thing of going to an event during the year.  We have some really great events coming up, like everything you’ve wanted to ask a priest about sex and a documentary screening.  It’s one of my favorite movies and won best Sundance film, I highly recommend it.
 
Do you still get squeamish talking about sex?
No, I don’t.  But I still have a sixth grade boy inside of me.  I can’t say things like ‘butt plug’ with a straight face.  There are some really offbeat sex practices that I’m shocked when I hear about, but I have a pretty high threshold for comfort. 
 
How did you get so heavily involved with Sex Week?
In November of my freshman year I was scared I hadn’t found anything I was passionate about.  I knew I loved reading articles in Cosmo, so I thought it was a great fit and became a member of a committee.  Sex is fun. It’s fun to talk to about. 
 
What are some of the other things your involved in on campus? 
I’m in the marching band. I’m part of Greek life.  I draw cartoons for the Daily Northwestern.  I hire people for Wildcat Express delivery.  Music, sex, and food are what I spend my time on at Northwestern.
 
 
Tell us about your nomination for Northwestern’s sexiest person.  How does it feel?
We have a sex week blog where one person was nominated each week, and the committee nominated me. We’re having a poll this week on the Northwestern sex week website.  I was humiliated; I didn’t take it very seriously at all. 
 
So what did you think of the whole sex scandal?
I thought it was a nonissue that became an issue. The national reaction to it displayed how uncomfortable America can be with sex.  It showed a lot of about what people considered newsworthy.  I think at Northwestern we’re a lot more sexually enlightened than other campuses.  In my four year here Northwestern has gotten more comfortable talking about sex. The combination of the prevalence of sex week and shape are a part of it.  We make resources available to students, and we have a lot of programming.  People are open to discuss things they might feel uncomfortable about.
 
What’s been the highlight of your four years with Sex Week?
I met my best friend through it, we’re roommates now.  I met the CEO of Planned Parenthood who came for sex week.  There have been various people with interesting views on sex and sexuality. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the planning, but the coolest part is actually learning new things myself and meeting awesome people.