Wednesday, November 10, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 7
Sex on the Hill
Public displays of affection irritate some
By Katie Eagan
Special to the Kansan
Public displays of affection, otherwise known as PDA, are seen in restaurants, movies and at parties.
But do these displays happen during the school day at the University of Kansas?
Maggie Bauer, Wichita junior, said she had witnessed instances of PDA on campus and even during class.
"My freshman year, I took Human Sexuality, and there was always this couple in front of me who would hug and squeeze each other during class," Bauer said. "I ended up finding out that they both worked at Priscilla's, too."
Bauer said she was distracted in her class because of the couple in front of her. She said that PDA really bothered her, and it was not necessary to display affection in front of other people.
"Hugs are all right with me, but anything past a little peck on the cheek is too far." Bauer said. "I realize that affection is part of being in a relationship with someone, but it is not something that needs to be for everyone's viewing pleasure."
Jason Fulford, Chicago freshman, said he had also seen couples displaying their affection on campus.
"I was walking to class a couple weeks ago, and right outside Fraser there was a couple
making out," Fulford said. "It didn't bother me that much. I just thought it was a little weird."
Fulford said he could tolerate some aspects of PDA, like hand holding and hugging, but he agreed that kissing on campus was pushing it.
Like Bauer, many students feel that people who display their affection publicly are disrespectful to others, especially in a school setting.
"I would not want to make other people feel uncomfortable by my acts of affection with my girlfriend," said Jon Garner, Cape Girardeau, Mo. senior. "I just don't think it is appropriate for two people to be going at it when other people are trying to learn or study."
Other students and faculty do not feel that PDA is a problem at the University.
"I have not really seen that many cases of PDA," said Natalie Dykstra, graduate teaching assistant. "There have been people I've seen on campus holding hands, but I don't think that is that bad at all."
Margee Lancaster, Edina, Minn., freshman, said the University did not have an obscene amount of people kissing and making out on campus.
"At my high school, I would always see couples making out in the halls, and it was sort of disgusting," Lancaster said. "I think a hug or a kiss good-bye is OK, but anything beyond that is inappropriate."
Edited by Katie Hollar
Public displays of affection on campus can create awkward learning situations for some students. While some students say they see a lot of PDA, others are not bothered by the hand holding, hugging and kissing they see on campus. Photo illustration by Jamie Roper/KANSAN
944 Mass.
832-8228
MAY BE A GIRL'S
BEST FRIEND.
BUT THE MAN
TO HER USUALLY
WHO GIVES THEM
FORMS A. SOME
FORMS A,SOME
WHAT CLOSER