In sex life, UNC comes out on top

UNC has been ranked as the No. 1 “best value” university for its affordability and quality of education.

But Playboy Magazine has a different interpretation of how much bang students get for their buck.

In Playboy Magazine’s recently released “Top 10 Party Schools” rankings, UNC snagged the title of top university sex life.

“I was a little surprised that UNC came out No. 1 on the overall rankings, but I’m glad after reading more about the University,” said Tyler Trykowski, editorial assistant at Playboy.

Other universities named as honorable mentions for the quality of their sex life include Yale University, Georgetown University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Trykowski said Duke University ranked 25th in student sex life.

Playboy editors ranked the top 100 universities in the country using an internal point system based on several sources of public data, Trykowski said.

He added that besides ranking party schools, the magazine also ranked individual categories, including sex life, nightlife and sporting life.

Playboy cited the high ratio of females to males, the attractiveness of UNC women and their “progressive” attitudes as the main factors contributing to the University’s No. 1 ranking.

“I didn’t know Playboy did research,” said sophomore Marcus Smith.

Jenifer Zanzonico, a health promotion specialist at UNC, said the criteria for the rankings seem subjective.

“I can’t really speak to the validity of Playboy’s ranking, because it sounds like they’re operating from a certain type of heterosexual, male perspective and making a set of assumptions about our student body in making those rankings,” she said.

Both Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp and Dean of Students Jonathan Sauls declined to comment.

But administrators at the University of Virginia have spoken out against their No. 1 party school ranking in Playboy and are trying to shift focus away from it.

Sophomore Ryan King said he had a specific thought when he first saw the ranking.

“Jealous — I’m not seeing any of that action,” King said.

“We have an environment here that promotes safe sexual relations. There are so many resources that are available,” Pope said.

Trykowski attributes the ranking to the evolving sexual climate on college campuses — which is different from when the first rankings were released in 1987.

“Both women and men are looking to have a really healthy sexual experience, which you’re seeing at UNC today,” Trykowski said.

But senior Joe Holthaus said he views the ranking as a misrepresentation of both women and the progressive outlook of the University.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with talking about a college campus’ sex life,” Holthaus said.

“But it should be within UNC, and not commented on by an outside organization, specifically an organization that makes women into commodities for men.”

Senior Jenna Macksood said the ranking isn’t something to be celebrated.

“I saw a guy post it on Facebook, and he was like, ‘Hell yeah!’” Macksood said.

“I guess I’m not as proud of it as he was. I wouldn’t necessarily brag about it. It’s not up there on reasons why I love Carolina.”

Contact the desk editor at university@dailytarheel.com.