11/06/2003

Iowa State University student leaders voted 21-9 Wednesday to grant funds to a student organization that teaches about bondage and other sexual fetishes.

The Government of the Student Body gave $94 to the group, called Cuffs. Leaders of Cuffs said they requested the money to promote the group and try to increase attendance at its meetings.

Duane Long Jr., an ISU senior and Cuffs' president, said receiving the money was a big step. "Receiving the money is a triumph for diversity," he said.

Mike Banasiak, GSB president, said Cuffs met the standards for receiving money from GSB.

"The way GSB works is that as a recognized student organization . . . if they meet certain criteria, we have to consider them for funding," he said. "They meet the criteria."

Tony Luken, speaker of the GSB Senate, acknowledged some personal qualms about Cuffs but said the organization did deserve funding.

"They're a registered student organization, and any registered student organization can request funds from GSB," he said.

Cuffs dissolved last year, but members now are trying to resume their meetings.

Long said members keep their clothes on during demonstrations. "It's almost clinical," he said.

Leigh Streit, 20, a junior from Gowrie, said he didn't know whether Cuffs should have been given money. "I don't really know how you discriminate, where you draw the line," he said.