over 75% of the furry community is under the age of 25, and nearly 60% are attending an institution of higher education. This is not a figure this is a portrait of a cultural movement that is transforming the fabric of university campus culture across the United States. In the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, this cultural movement has now been given a tangible expression through the recognition of ‘Plattsfur,’ a furry community led and maintained by students, as a recognized student organization through an 11-1 vote in the Student Association.
Furries are a subculture based on the creation of ‘fursonas,’ which are anthropomorphic animals that are human-animal hybrids. Fursonas are, in essence, very personal, as users of the culture can project themselves through this form of expression. As per International Anthropomorphic Research Project, the group comprises fans, artists, writers, gamers, and role-playing individuals, among others, all of whom are passionate about design, digital, and other forms of arts. It should be noted that some members are known to wear fursonas while others do some form of illustration, writing, and other networking activities.
Plattsfur started off as a small gathering of friends who found that they had this common interest in furries. “We realized that there’s not really a club geared toward that on campus,” said Styx Williams, a junior anthro major. “Through reaching out to other people in different areas of campus we found out that there are quite a few furries on campus.” Plattsfur aims for a community where creativity can occur through various forms of expression. These have ranged from a color-page meet-and-greet activity to a campfire.
It does not stand alone, however, as furry clubs have been recognized at Minnesota State University, Mankato; California Polytechnic State University; California State University, Northridge; and at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, over the last two academic years. UC San Diego’s Anthromorphic Animal Appreciation Association reports over 100 university furry clubs around the globe, which indicates a profound shift to recognition, as reported by Lewis Jones, a University of California, Berkeley, junior.
The attractiveness of these groups extends beyond common interests to include a psychological need for self-expression through creativity. Members usually consider their fursonas an extension of themselves; that is, an ideal, flawless self, unembarrassed by any negativity. “My fursona is me but if there were no negatives,” said a vice president of one of these groups in an associated campus interview. Such escapism might appear as a form of hiding, but for some, it can also provide a means of establishing identity in a nurturing setting.
Inclusivity is also one of the key aspects. In furry communities, research conducted among the group indicates high LGBTQ+ membership, to the extent that some clubs have an 80% membership level. This level of acceptance makes furry communities an attraction to students who may feel like outsiders in university culture. “Everybody’s really nice. It’s a really welcoming space and I feel really comfortable when I’m here,” said a sophomore finance major about the furry group that meets on campus.
However, the fandom has struggled with misconceptions and, sometimes, outright aggression despite the positive role it has played. Intrigue concerning fur suit usage and unjustified linkage with inappropriate activity has inspired harassment and damage to fandom resources online. Some colleges feature posters of furry groups that have been torn down or vandalized. “It is very dehumanizing. People don’t see that there is a person behind the costumes, behind the username,” explained one fandom founder. However, many members elect to disregard this negativity while taking delight, instead, within the joy that this fandom delivers.
The tradition of furry fandom as part of youth culture has its roots in animation, fantasy fiction, and early art communities on the internet. The new aspect is the organized, university-based structure being formed. These groups are more than simple hobby clubs they are miniature versions of the entire identity-, expression-oriented philosophy. They provide students with the opportunity to connect with something that is part of who they are, whether it is the creation of fursonas, attending conventions, or working on art projects. As Plattsfur establishes itself at SUNY Plattsburgh, it becomes part of a collective that is redefining what constitutes a student culture. In this, it embodies a certain breed of youth, who are determining that areas where creativity, acceptance, and self-expression are valued for what they are with no strings attached are carved out.
