I am fortunate to go to an amazing college where many students are concerned about social stigma and body image and want to raise awareness about these issues. Naked Week at Denison University is a longstanding tradition with the intent of promoting positive body image and self-acceptance. It typically corresponds with National Eating Disorders Awareness week, but in addition to promoting eating disorder awareness, the point of Naked Week is also to shed light on LGBTQ awareness as well as body image and self-acceptance more generally. One week during the year, Denison students strip down into their birthday suits and run across campus. The week begins on Monday when students run naked out of the library, across A Quad and through a sea of students cheering them on. Each night, with various themes throughout the week, a different place on campus is graced with naked runners who are promoting body image even in frigid weather and a snow-covered quad. The week culminates with a final event and closing ceremonial run.

Although many incoming students are initially surprised to learn about this tradition, students who participate find it very empowering and a sizable proportion of students at Denison participate in Naked Week every year or at least at some point during their time on campus. The runners are a diverse group including those of all races, genders, and sexual orientations. Although not everyone chooses to run, most students nonetheless turn out to support their friends and classmates who are. And, the administration responds with unspoken acceptance of this tradition.

As a college woman, I have experienced times when I have had a hard time accepting my body. There are constant, subjective societal pressures to look a certain way and to fulfill the “ideal body” standard defined in ways that are often unnatural or unhealthy. Although these pressures may be particularly impactful for women, as evidenced by the high rate of eating disorders in women, it is not just an issue for women. Men, too, are confronted by a narrow, socially-constructed idea of the ideal masculine body type. In addition, trans individuals also face many complex pressures about appearance. Naked Week at Denison University is significant because it brings about awareness and increases the conversations about accepting our bodies and those of others and it encourages us to think about the importance of a positive body image. This awareness may increase during Naked Week, but the conversations sparked by it continue all year long. Accepting our bodies and ourselves is important for our physical and emotional health and well-being. Denison University’s Naked Week is a unique way to build awareness, feel empowered and bring positive perceptions of diverse people of all sizes and shapes.

Denison wouldn't be the same without Naked Week. I am so proud to attend a university that empowers students in their self-acceptance and where every year lots of students run across campus and through the snow — naked.