Using red lights, scented candles and decorative roses the Black Motivated Women turned Coffman Union’s The Whole into a sensual retreat for males Tuesday night.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, dolled-up members of Black Motivated Women fed deserving guys a spaghetti dinner before pampering them with massages, manicures, facials and hair braiding as a way to show their appreciation.

The group received a $250 grant from the Minnesota Student Association for Men’s Appreciation Night. The idea for the event played off past events hosted by male groups on campus that showed appreciation to women, including the Female Appreciation Month last March.

Global studies junior Haythem Lafhaj said one event hosted by Omega Psi Phi provided women with free Mary Kay products and massages. But now the tables were turned.

Five women greeted Lafhaj as he came through the double doors, asking him if he “expected to get laid tonight.”

He realized they were joking when they placed white plastic lei around his neck.

Lafhaj took a couch seat at the dimly lit manicure station where English and pre-law first-year student Serina Jamison trimmed his nails, then laquered them with a clear polish.

At the request of Lafhaj, Jamison and political science and psychology first-year student Dionne Dillard educated him on the importance of nice, clean hands.

“If you have dirty finger nails, we aren’t gonna talk to you,” Jamison said.

Dillard added that dirty hands and grungy finger nails are a big turn-off.

Psychology junior Amiri Brotherson and individualized studies first-year student Timotheus Gordon said everyone deserves to be pampered every now and then.

“So far I’m loving it,” he said.

Gordon glanced around the room admiring “all the beautiful ladies,” and said he was impressed by their kindness and hoped to return the favor.

Secretary of the group, Ij Okechukwu, a biology junior, said the group was happy to pioneer such an event.

“We like (to be pampered), so we figured why not give back,” she said. “You do feel appreciated when you go to these types of events.”

Marketing junior Dersell Johnson, a student at Concordia University, said men deserve a special day on which their hard work is commended.

“Men do a lot for us,” she said. “So we want to acknowledge what they do.”