The Wellesley News (TWN): I’m here with a student who’s part of an up-and-coming polycule on campus. With about 20 current members and plenty of karma from Sidechat discourse, they’re generating quite a buzz.” First, I have to ask — how did all of this get started?
Student: Yeah, so this all started when I decided to room with my situationship sophomore year. That year, my situationship started vibing with this other girl on our hall, and she became our third. Then they each started inviting people to join our polycule, and those people invited more people, and … well, here we are. It’s basically an “expand-your-heart” business model.
TWN: It’s so inspiring that it grew organically!
Student: Right? Also, if a member recruits someone to join, they get to spend a percentage of nights with any member that newbie brings in. Like, more love, more perks.
TWN: Does that create any kind of hierarchy?
Student: Yeah.
TWN: …
Student: We call it a “Love Ladder.” The higher up you are, the more points you get, which unlocks privileges like priority cuddles, choosing the group’s hangout spots and hosting rights.
TWN: So there’s a big incentive for current members to recruit others?
Student: Yes! And if they do, it raises their status within the polycule, kind of like a promotion. The more people you recruit, the more points you accrue. Those points go toward organizing retreats or setting up deep eye-contact workshops with your preferred partners. We’re even going to start having a quarterly Love Summit.
TWN: Wow! So what’s involved in recruitment?
Student: I’m glad you asked! I’d say it’s about a part-time job-level commitment. People generally use their personal connections. It’s really all about knowing people — or knowing people who know people, y’know?
TWN: Sounds pretty intensive! How do you make sure members aren’t being overworked?
Student: Well, we’ve actually gotten a few emails about concerns over emotional labor rights violations, but we don’t really have an HR. Our polycule isn’t interested in that kind of authority; it’s more community-oriented-lateral-leadership. We used to have an e-board but then those e-board members branched off and formed their own spin-off polycule. So now instead, we have a team of “investors.” It just means they’ve reached the highest status level and have, therefore, invested lots of love, time and material goods to the community.
TWN: Amazing! I feel like I’m learning so much already. What do you hope this polycule’s impact on the world will be?
Student: World peace through strategic cuddling with a side of homemade kombucha. We want people to feel seen, loved and inspired to recruit two friends each — just like how love should multiply.
TWN: Beautiful!
