After exhausting all its options at the university level, the student group Cuffs is now preparing an appeal to the Board of Regents.

The bondage and sadomasochism group was found guilty of assault earlier this year by Director of Judicial Affairs Bethany Schuttinga. The verdict was the result of BDSM demonstrations at the group’s meetings that Iowa State determined violated university rules and Iowa law.

For its Board of Regents appeal, Cuffs must present a written presentation to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy, who will add his comments before forwarding the case to the regents.

Cuffs President Harlan “Duane” Long Jr. said he expects the process to take a few weeks because of the regents’ meeting and hearing schedule. The next two regents meetings are scheduled for June 15-16 in Okoboji and Aug. 3-4 in Sioux City.

“We anticipate the Board of Regents hearing the appeal in either July or August,” Long said. “I’m not entirely certain if the Board will hear oral arguments. They may just base their decision on the written presentation.”

The timeliness of the appeal process depends upon when the Board receives the documentation.

After the initial guilty ruling in March, Cuffs officials appealed the ruling to Dean of Students Pete Englin, who upheld the decision.

Cuffs’ final university appeal was to Geoffroy, who refused to review the case.

The group is taking the appeal process beyond the university because Iowa State has misconstrued what Cuffs is all about, Long said.

“To call what occurred abuse insults and denigrates our members’ lifestyles,” he said. “The university decision perpetuates common myths and stereotypes about BDSM, and the opposition of such ignorance is one of the primary purposes the group was founded.”

Cuffs will take the appeal process as far as possible, Long said.

Susan Wright, founder of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, said in an e-mail message the coalition will support Cuffs with fund-raising efforts for legal challenges to the university’s decision.

However, Long said it is premature to plan for any fund-raising activities or future club actions.

“We are preparing for the eventuality of fighting this in court,” he said. “But we are still hopeful that we can get the case resolved at the board level.”

Cuffs, which has about 25 active members, was found guilty of assault in March and placed on conduct probation.

The group is still a recognized student organization and can hold meetings, but is under increased scrutiny, Long said.

This means Cuffs is restricted from performing demonstrations, sponsoring events and organizing social activities that violate university disciplinary regulations or federal, state or local law, according to student disciplinary regulations.

Otherwise, the student group is free to meet for discussions on topics such as BDSM, human sexuality and fetishes.

Cuffs’ conduct probation will extend through the final days of the fall 2004 semester, according to the conduct decision written by Schuttinga.

“Conduct probation is a more severe sanction than a disciplinary reprimand,” she wrote in the decision.

“It’s a period of review during which the student organization must demonstrate that ability to comply with university rules, regulations and other requirements stipulated for the probation period.”