(The Center Square) – Shenandoah University is to hold a post-Valentine’s Day “Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Table” intended to spread information on those who identify as having little to no romantic feelings as a part of the school’s diversity center’s Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week.
On Feb. 25, students are invited to come to the table “to learn more about” Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week, according to the event description.
Shenandoah University director of media relations Brad Fauber passed on The Center Square’s media inquiry to the Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Table’s organizers, but no comment was provided by the time of publishing.
“Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week (ASAW) is a week meant to spread awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities and the issues they face, and to celebrate their experiences and existence,” a Shenandoah release about ASAW stated.
“ASAW generally occurs the first full week after Valentine’s Day,” the release said.
“It began, in large part, as a way for those in the aromantic community who had difficulty finding space for their experiences in such a universally romanticized holiday to come together and celebrate their own unique experiences,” according to the release.
According to the official ASAW website, aromanticism claims to be “a romantic orientation.”
The ASAW website describes aromantic-identifying people as those “whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations, often due to experiencing little to no romantic attraction, or sometimes feeling repulsed by romance or being uninterested in romantic relationships.”
Additionally, ASAW says that people who are aromantic don’t have “crushes” and may not be fond of kissing.
ASAW at Shenandoah University is put on by the school’s Mosaic Center for Diversity.
One of the goals of the Mosaic Center is to “educate the campus community on topics of culture, diversity, and social justice in order to foster and sustain a supportive campus environment,” as written on its webpage.
The Mosaic Center states that it embraces “all races, sexes, gender identities, gender expressions, religions, ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic classes, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, personal appearances, political affiliations, military affiliations and immigration statuses.”
Listed things to do in the Mosaic Center are “do homework,” “hang out in our lounge,” “bring your own mug to enjoy tea at our tea station,” and “access sex positive resources.”
Throughout the year, the Mosaic Center also offers other events, such as “Safe Zone First Fridays,” “Valentine Card Making,” and “Woke Week,” according to an event webpage.
When reached twice for comment, the Mosaic Center did not respond.
