Speed-Dating Event Sparks Love on a Schedule

As the students began filtering into the lobby, they instinctively gravitated to the walls, darting unsure glances at each other and bashfully introducing themselves. But mere moments later, three minutes would be all they needed to become more than strangers.

In a speed-dating event hosted by the Radcliffe Union of Students last night, 32 undergraduates dated every other participant for as long as the kitchen timer allowed them to. But as soon as it chimed three minutes, students shifted down a seat to meet their next potential special someone across makeshift tables adorned with long-stemmed carnations.

“We want to bring dating back,” said RUS Co-chair Eva B. Rosenberg ’10, who helped coordinate the event.

After every three-minute date, the participants noted on a piece of paper their level of interest in the other party.

The participants often smiled shyly as they discretely slipped the papers into a box on the table.

If any matches occur—for example, if two participants express mutual romantic interest—the pair will be e-mailed.

But speedy match-making was not the only thing event planners had in mind.

In selecting 32 participants from a pool of over 100 interested students, the organizers sought to fairly represent all sexual orientations at the affair.

“That was really intentional,” Rosenberg said. “We’re saying, ‘Hey, be open-minded.’”

The RUS—a feminist group dedicated to raising awareness of gender issues—wanted to provide an explicitly feminist social space, according to Rosenberg.

“Whether or not the participants identify themselves as feminist is less important than their willingness to speed-date in a feminist context,” she said.

By having everyone date everyone else, Rosenberg said she hoped the event would encourage participants to look for relationships based on feminist values—to put themselves out on a limb by constantly questioning gender roles.

“It goes beyond who’s holding the door for whom,” she said. “It can be subtle things: who does what during sex, who makes the plans, and does your partner understand your gender politics?”

Despite a few glitches—some went on multiple dates with the same person—and a few awkward moments, most of the participants said that night was an enjoyable novelty.

“Dating is nonexistent here.” said speed-dater Arian N. Razzaghi ’12. “So these little activities will definitely help.”

The event offered Harvard students—often accused of belonging to either the hook-up culture or the married camp—the opportunity to mingle in a low-risk environment with other single students.

Reminded of “something from a romantic comedy,” participant Chase Russell ’11 said more speed-dating events should be held on campus, especially in light of the demonstrated student interest.

“I mean, why not?” he said. “We’re in college. Let’s take this opportunity.”

But for Marianna B. Tu ’09, the room did not have enough of a “very sexy vibe” and could have used a little help.

“I think speed dating is great, but it should be preceded by two drinks,” Tu said.

—Staff Writer Esther I. Yi can be reached at estheryi@fas.harvard.edu.