Writing Prompt #8: PDA

Prompt:  Write a story (or more than one story) about "PDA", "Intervisitation", or dating at the School of Science and Math.

Due Date: July 21, 2025

Details:  

Write a story about "Public Displays of Affection" (PDA).  What do you remember about the behavior which led to a new set of guidelines in October of 1980?  

Alternatively write a story about the policy of "Intervisitation"; how students attempted to circumnavigate the policy; or how it affected the idea of romance on campus.  

Alternatively, write a story about dating on campus.  This might include how you met your future spouse.

Background:

New guidelines were established by the Residence Life Program (or the Student Personnel Services Department), within the first two months of the School's opening, designed to limit the "public displays of affection", also known as "PDA".  

There is no mention of "PDA" or inappropriate displays of affection in any of the Student Handbooks from the 1980's; but it is clear that students were strictly segregated by sex; and intervisitation between dorms (and between sexes) would be strictly limited and closely supervised.  Visitation between students of the opposite sex was not allowed in dorm rooms.  This resulted in a great deal of amorous activity in common areas and in more secluded, but public areas, on campus.  

By October 31, 1980, the term "PDA" had entered the vernacular of the student body to such a degree, that the original newsletter, called "The Weekly Rag", was renamed "PDA - Public Display of Announcements"; a cheeky parody of the name for the behavior that had recently come to the attention of the School's administration.

Here is an excerpt from the 1980 (and the 1981) Student Handbook:

"Intervisitation is defined as visiting between male and female students. Intervisitation in the residence halls is limited to public lounge areas only.....

- Visitation hours are:

 3PM - 7PM Monday-Thursday (and all Fridays preceding a Saturday instructional day) 

12 Noon - Midnight Friday-Saturday 

12 Noon - 7 PM Sunday 

This policy applies to both male and female visitors; visiting in student rooms with the opposite sex is not allowed."