Student furry group approved at New York's SUNY Plattsburgh

Student leaders at a New York state college have approved a new campus club dedicated to the “furry” subculture.

According to The College Fix, the Student Association at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh voted 11–1 on Nov. 16 to approve “Plattsfur” as a provisional student organization. The decision adds SUNY Plattsburgh to a growing list of universities that have formally recognized furry-themed clubs in recent years.

Furry fandom is a subculture centered on wearing animal character costumes.The International Anthropomorphic Research Project describes the community as including “fans, artists, writers, gamers and role-players” who typically create a personalized animal identity known as a “fursona.”

The group reports that more than 75 percent of furries are under the age of 25, with nearly 60 percent currently enrolled in college.

Plattsfur was presented to student lawmakers as a social and creative outlet. The club currently has 17 members, according to the campus newspaper Cardinal Points. Junior anthropology major Styx Williams said the organization was created to provide a place for students with shared interests to connect.

“We aim to not only have social dialogues, but also incorporate certain elements of crafts as well as arts, and not only teach methods, but also invite people to explore stuff that they may not have before,” Williams told Cardinal Points.

“Originally, this started with a handful of us that were friends that kind of just found out that we’re all furries,” Williams said. “We realized that there’s not really a club geared toward that on campus.”

Since receiving provisional approval, Plattsfur has hosted events including a coloring-page meet-and-greet and a campfire gathering, according to posts on the club’s Instagram account.

SUNY Plattsburgh is not alone. In the past two academic years, colleges approving furry clubs include Minnesota State University, Mankato; California Polytechnic State University; California State University, Northridge; the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; and others.

UC San Diego’s “Triton Tails,” a chapter affiliated with the global Anthromorphic Animal Appreciation Association, reports that there are now more than 100 university-based furry clubs worldwide.