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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Creators Of New 'NCMO' Site Change Focus In Response To Criticism
NCMO.org Press Release 11Feb00 B4
PROVO, UTAH -- In response to the criticisms leveled at the new NCMO Home Page, covered by Mormon News last week [See http://www.MormonsToday.com/000213/B4NCMO01.shtml
the creators of the site have changed its focus to simply helping singles meet on-line. The site, who's acronym stands for "Non-Committal Make-Out" had come under criticism both for what some BYU faculty and clergy saw as an immoral service and for putting its clients at risk for date rape. BYU's police and Honor Code Council launched investigations, putting the site and its creators under threat of legal action.
On Friday, the page's creators posted a new policy and changed the
meaning of the site's acronym to "Non-Committal Meetings On-line." The new policy turns the site into a sim0ple dating service, but one where "the pressures of long-term commitment and the marriage stigma so prevalent in our [sic] Utahan culture can be alleviated." They also caution users that, like any dating service, users should only meet those that they have contacted on-line in a 'safe atmosphere" and encourage them to do so in a group date setting.
The creators also apologized in their note to anyone that may have been offended by their web site and service. They say that their intention has only been to have fun, not cause any harm or ill feelings.
The status of BYU Police and Honor Code Council investigations in the
wake of this policy change is not yet known. It is also not clear whether or not NCMO can carve out a successful niche in the heavily
competitive on-line dating market, even though the creators say that
their service will remain free.
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