Check out the scratching and biting scene at 'Kinky U'

There's some serious scratching and biting going on at the University of Minnesota.

An intramural rugby match? Or time to call campus security?

Nope. It's just another field of inquiry for the dedicated scholars at "Kinky U," a student fee-supported offshoot of the U of M's Queer Student Cultural Center (QSCC).

QSCC already sponsors groups that journey down every sexual side-road and identity bi-way imaginable. Its 14 member groups range from "Biversity" (for "bisexuals, pansexuals, omnnisexuals, and those who prefer no labels") to "Tranarchy" (for "those who identify as transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, intersex, or gender diverse.")

Yes, you might think there's already something for everyone at our flagship institution of higher learning.

But Kinky U aims to reach out to groups still not fully embraced (so to speak) by the university community. It's "a social and discussion group" for those interested in "all forms of kink, including roleplaying, leather, BDSM [bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism], and much more," according to QSCC's website.

"The term 'kinky' can include anything from biting and scratching, 'which is pretty common,' to power exchanges and bondage," said the Minnesota Daily, quoting Michael Lent, the group's facilitator.

Kinky U is now seeking to make kink mainstream by becoming an official student club in its own right. "We've definitely had a lot of interest," said Justin Jagoe of the QSCC. He added that he expects the process to be complete within a few weeks, though a student-led board must still give its approval.

"This is a big step for sexual freedom," Lent told the Daily. "It's a milestone for the U and even for the metro area."

"The purpose of groups funded by student fees, which are decided on by students themselves, is to help encourage a diverse array of ideas and perspectives," said Jerry Rinehart, the U's vice provost for student affairs. "As long as the decision process is viewpoint neutral, the U cannot attempt to censor."

"Kinky U is basically saying, 'We're there if you ever decide to have this type of sexual relationship, because it can be a part of your life in a safe way,' " said Genevieve Clute, co-chairwoman of the U's student-led Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education organization in a Daily interview. "Even in a casual sexual life, it's important to set limits and feel safe and comfortable, so it's fantastic [they're promoting that]."

Clute could not be reached for further comment.

Well, students "explore sexual endeavors through discussion and demonstration," according to the Daily. (Note to parents: If your daughter at the U tells you she's working on a demonstration project at school, you may want to ask additional questions.)

Kinky U also will sponsor field research. During the next semester, Lent plans "tours of sex-oriented stores in the Twin Cities area," according to the Daily.

And like many educational organizations, Kinky U sponsors workshops. Last fall, for example, participants learned "to dye and treat leather so that it can be made into something like a collar, which can otherwise be expensive to buy," according to the Daily.

Stephan Robberts, 28, who led that workshop, said he feels like a mentor to younger participants. "I've done a lot of stupid things when I was younger and being there to caution or help others is extremely important," he told the Daily. "I wish I had a group like Kinky U when I was younger, just to have that knowledge base."

Some may be surprised to learn that this is the sort of knowledge the university is helping to disseminate, especially because it is apparently always short of resources. But they shouldn't be surprised.

Kinky U's meetings focus "on keeping all parties comfortable and safe in their endeavors," according to the Daily. "Some extreme practices can be potentially dangerous, so the group aims to educate those interested about the risks involved."

Why not just discourage extreme practices? We wouldn't want to be judgmental, would we?