Public Displays of Affection

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) include excessive kissing, holding, and pretty much anything further that shows adoration, love, desire, etc., and were completely outlawed according to CTY rules. This is not to say that it never happened...

After all, it's hard to enforce PDA rules when you've got several hundred sexually deprived teenagers all in one place.

As one RAput it, "All clothing should remain in place. And it's no excuse if (s)he shows up naked."

Lancaster

Brief hugging is acceptable, leading to the well-circulated joke "Ten seconds and you're pregnant!" Three-second closed-mouth kissing is also acceptable. In 06.1, the standard of "It's not PDA if a mother can do it to a child without it being incest" was popularized by Molly Brean and circulated among the students.

The rule is possibly the result of arguably over-the-top behavior at Lancaster in 1985, but may have evolved independently at multiple sites over time.

2001-2004

2001: A list of "Don'ts" featured "No guys on girl halls or girls on guy halls." Seizing on the double negative, students claimed that this rule would be violated if there were a guys' hall that didn't have a girl on it or a girls' hall that didn't have a guy on it. The wording of this rule was soon changed. At Lancaster, however, two of the actions that can lead to expulsion are still "No males on female halls," and "No females on male halls." All the other actions are listed as verbs.

04.2: A parody of the strict PDA rules were written but was never published, for fear of repercussions from crusading parents.

05.1: The MIND class girls were collectively busted for PDA, although the RAs didn't really seem to care much about other PDA.

2006

06.1: New PDA rules were created and enforced. The new rules included: no holding hands, no linking arms, no hugging for more than three seconds, no open-mouth kissing, no grinding, no slow dancing less than half a foot apart (a.k.a. "Six Inches!"), and "keeping hands above the equator". The more absurd of the rules were not enforced as much, such as hand-holding and linking arms, thereby creating a chance to form the "PDA Chain." This was first formed on the first day of CTY by Charlotte's hall, the members of which held hands and/or linked arms to form a chain. However, half (or more) of the RAs didn't enforce these rules, and hand-holding was allowed again (although it was not announced to the students, and the staff didn't find out for quite a while either). After a call to (or from; details are uncertain) JHU, made after one student petitioned (Molly Brean) and parents complained, the administration decided to change the rule. Donna Dougherty, an elementary school teacher who had no experience handling sexually deprived teenagers, is still considered one of Lancaster's worst site directors. See also: The Lancaster Hall of Shame.

06.2: A "no lying on the grass" rule was applied. Enforcement depended on the RA. Some RAs appeared confused by the new limits. Frank Wang informed a particular couple that there was "No... lying... on the... uh, grass..." as if he didn't know what that green plant covering the ground was.

2007

An odd message appeared on the paper that the RAs read off of at one of the hall meeting, stating, "One butt per seat, one face per face." The phrase "one face per face" caused an excessive amount of confusion amongst the students, but an RA later confirmed that it simply means a student is not allowed to rip the face off of another student and tape it onto his/her own.

07.2: PDA rules existed, but most RAs were more relaxed about them, especially with the advent of Site Director Brian, who, in contrast to SD Donna, is considered one of Lancaster's best. On one particular weekend, Iggie and Ellie made out in front of an RA (with their backs to him) three times while he just smiled and continued the conversation. Before leaving, he said, "I only bust 15% of the things that I see."

However, there were also times when RAs refused to ease up. For example, RA Jeremy, after (correctly) suspecting illicit activities going on in a circle, broke up said circle mercilessly, as one girl was still putting her bra back on. After that, Jeremy placed a (completely unofficial) ban on standing in circles for the remainder of the session. He attempted first to observe the students' activities by standing in the middle of the circle, but that didn't really stop the PDA because when he turned toward one part of the circle, the people behind him would start making out. Being as clever as they are, CTY students will forever find ways to outsmart the PDA rules.

Image of LAN PDA Rules

Carlisle

2005

05.1: PDA rules were enforced by about half the RAs, while the other half didn't care. Making out during "Stairway to Heaven" was allowed. An activity entitled "PDA" disappointed many a couple when it proved to be nothing sexier than cleaning up the campus.

05.2: Nothing besides hand holding was accepted. NOTHING.

2006

06.1 and 2: PDA at Carlisle in both sessions of 2006 was pretty much dependent on the RA. Slow-dancing was acceptable regardless of distance, although RAs would be watching for couples who were making out or violating higher PDA rules.

Before the last dance, the administration announced that any couple dancing "suggestively" would be put into time out, 5 minutes for the first hour, 15 for the second hour and the rest of the dance if after 10:00. This rule was enforced depending on the RA. Some couples/foursomes/sixsomes were warned repeatedly and not put in the penalty box while some couples where never warned and put in the penalty box right away. Being in the penalty box warranted both a time out and an official write-up, such that it was noted in the student's permanent record.

Erm…anybody have anything more recent…say 2007 and 2008?

Saratoga Springs (Skidmore)

2005: SRA Felicia brought Tater to CTY. Tater was a stuffed potato who was stuck on the end of a stick and was used to separate overly-intimate slowdancing, thus the phrase "Leave room for Tater." In 06.2, the first Saturday Mandatory Fun was called "Where's Tater." One of the staff members had supposedly stolen Tater and the activity was to solve puzzles to find out who did it. The original plan included more activities than puzzle solving, but it rained that day so the RAs had to make up puzzles while the students were watching Inspector Gadget. In the end, it turned out SRA Manan had stolen Tater and he was returned. There was no rejoicing.

06.1: There was to be no lying on the grass on top of each other, which resulted, contrarily, in stummy lays. Anything else was either accepted or ignored by the RAs as long as they could "see the light" between slowdancing or grinding couples.

07.1: The RAs were generally unconcerned with PDA, and it was rarely mentioned. There was never an official proclamation made on PDA. Grinding and slow-dancing were permitted or at least ignored with no distance requirements. Making out also took place, and only very rarely did RAs interfere.

07.2: No one was caught when they were actually doing something... sketchy. Stummy lays were allowed because the RAs didn't notice. Obviously slow dancing was allowed.

Loudonville (Siena)

04.1: The RA that was called the "Makeout Nazi" was duct taped to a lamppost after winning the privilege on Casino Night, and couples lined up to make out in front of him. Same PDA rules as usual.

04.2: The "no PDA" rule was enforced pretty much all the time, except at dances, where nobody seemed to care about making out or grinding.

05.1 and 2: Grinding rarely occurred at dances, but due more to lack of interest than prohibition. Lying down on the grass was prohibited, although RAs enforced this rule with variable consistency.

06.1 and 2: No lying on the grass fully reclined or, as was the common joke, you'll be making CTY babies. However, RAs would deliberately turn away when they saw couples making out.

07.1: No lying on the grass because of "health reasons." This was very heavily enforced, but some people got away with it. There was a lot of making out at the dances and at night. Holding hands, various forms of hugging, and cuddling seemed to be okay. On the last day girls and guys were allowed in each other's dorms.

07.2: Lying on the grass was completely prohibited except the last day, when RAs paid no attention.

08.1: During the third week, Shea did a weekly activity, "PDA". It did not incorporate any actual PDA, but was certainly entertaining. Anybody have any more information?

Los Angeles (LMU)

2004: RAs began a serious PDA crackdown, especially at the dances, repeatedly separating slow-dancers and grinders of any sex combination. Intertwining of anyone's legs was also prohibited. Holding hands, non-mouth kisses, and half-second closed-mouth kisses were allowed, but no making out. Rules required that hands stay in "appropriate" places (this included not grabbing asses while dancing). Freaking was banned. Same sex grinding was fine.

06.2: People of different sexes could not lie on the ground together in close proximity.

07.2: Stummy lays took place without regulation.

Baltimore (JHU)

05.1: ANY PDA set off an alarm for RAs; they would come and ask your names and then call your parents.

06.1: Enforcement was more lenient. All RAs turned the other way in Bugblatter Beast fashion, and makeouts happened at dances.

07.2: Simon would walk around the Gentle Slope at Social Time; he would catch couples making out under trees, wave his arms, and shout loudly, "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!! I GET PAID FOR THIS!!" PDA Rules were generally unenforceable during dances, when couples would regularly make out in the middle of the dance floor where RAs couldn't see them from the perimeter of the Glass Pavilion.

Hawaii

05.2: Any slow dancing and most grinding was fine. Three-second closed-mouth kissing was generally allowed. Hand holding, arms around each other, and the like were fine.

Easton

08.1 RAs were particularly strict about PDA. The six inch rule was enforced often and some couples were picked on more than others. At the dances the RAs would literally walk through the crowd, sometimes more than one of them, and separate couples if they were too close. The phrase "Hands Above the Equator" was often used when reprimanding couples while slow dancing. Make outs happened behind the bench in Farinon. This wasn't really possible at the dances but during Casino night two couples made out repeatedly while on the ground behind the bench opposite the main room. Grinding happened a lot at the dances. It was often broken up only to continue as soon as the RA was gone.