Wednesday, February 10, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
Students traveling abroad need early vaccinations
By T.J. Johnson
Kanson staff writer
Students who are traveling outside the United States for spring break need to think about getting necessary immunizations now, officials at Watkins Memorial Health Center said.
Randall Rock, chief of staff at Watkins, said some common immunizations that students needed to protect their health while traveling abroad could take up to one month to take effect.
Myra Strother, physician at Watkins, said students who needed immunizations should act now.
A service called Travel Care is available at Watkins to let students know about potential health risks in the country they will be visiting. If students provide their travel itineraries, the program will provide a list of which diseases they will need immunizations for.
"The more time you give us, the better off you will be," she said.
Strother said many countries still had problems that Americans did not pay attention to Strother said a recent outbreak of polio in Russia was an example of a disease Americans rarely worried about.
Strother said the best approach
for students was to make sure all of their regular required vaccinations were up to date. Students then should set up an appointment to talk to a doctor or nurse to see if there are any immunizations they need.
Rock and Strother said the most common vaccine needed for students who would be traveling to Mexico was Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is a virus that causes severe liver damage and infects more than 10 million people in the world every year.
Strother said because Hepatitis A was a food and water-borne illness, it was fairly easy to catch. The vaccination for Hepatitis A is easy to administer, and the person being vaccinated will be immune to the virus after just a few weeks.
"If you are traveling to Central or South America, Hepatitis A is an appropriate vaccination," Rock said.
Other diseases that can affect travelers in Mexico or Central America and can be vaccinated against include typhoid fever, tetanus and diphtheria, Strother said.
Strother said she had seen students come back to the University after traveling overseas who had contracted parasitic infections such as malaria. She said if students traveled and became ill when they returned, it was very important to see a health professional.
DISEASES ABROAD
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Diphtheria
Hepatitis A
Red Lyon Tavern
Malala
Polio
Malaria
Tolle Tolgour
Students can visit Walkins Memorial Health Center or visit the Centers For Disease Control Travel Web site at www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm to find out more about traveling and health.
Making sure all food that students eat is properly cooked, drinking only safe water, wearing bug repellent and protecting against sexually transmitted diseases could help keep students healthy while traveling abroad, Strother said.
Yellow Fever
Students who would like to find out if they need immunizations before they travel should visit Watkins.
"Bring back photos, bring back memories — but don't bring back disease," Rock said.
Gay support group returns to campus
By Clay McCuistion Special to the Kansan
After a semester's absence, the Queers and Allies support group is returning to the University of Kansas today.
"This is an important service provided by Q and A and one that serves the University community as well as the broader Lawrence community," said Allen Omoto, associate professor of psychology and faculty adviser to Queers and Allies.
The group didn't meet last semester because two long-time facilitators, Katie Jones and Keith Floyd, resigned because of time and school commitments.
Queers and Allies received complaints about the lack of a support group last semester.
"It is typical for facilitators to serve for one year, so that they are no longer serving in that role is not anything unusual," said Christine Robinson, Queers and Allies director. "It was very kind of them to donate their time and expertise to the support group for as long as they did."
"Several students called me to find out when the group would be going again," Robinson said. "I was very frustrated for them that the support group was not running. I used to attend the support group when I first came to KU. It was a way for me to ease into the community here and to get a sense of what life was like for people in the Lawrence queer community."
A three-person committee consisting of Matthew Skinta, interim director of Queers and Allies, and Omoto and Pamela Gordon, faculty advisers, chose a new facilitator in January. They selected Joyce Shontz, who works as a speech pathologist in an Olathe nursing home.
"I'm definitely geared towards the helping profession," said Shontz, who hopes to pursue a master's degree in social work at the University. "Support groups were very important to me when I was coming out. It's a way I can give back something."
With Queers and Allies still searching for a second facilitator, Shontz will start the work with the support group by herself.
"I really want to make it a successful year," Shontz said. "I hope to get a lot of people attending meetings and create a place where they can come and get their needs met."
She's optimistic about the possibilities.
The location and time of today's meeting, the first of the semester, is available by calling Headquarters Counseling Center at 841-2345 or the University Information Center at 864-3506.
Community group tries KU comeback will meet tonight
By Amber Stuever
Special to the Kansan
A community service organization is trying to make a comeback at the University of Kansas this spring after making a brief appearance on campus two years ago.
Circle K, an international service club for college students, is one step above the high school service group Key Club and a step below Kiwanis service club for adults.
The group held its first meeting of the semester two weeks ago and will hold another tonight in hopes of increasing membership and planning spring projects.
The KU chapter was started by Lawrence's two Kiwanis clubs. Nationwide, there are 11,000 members on 500 campuses.
"There's a big sense of community," said Katie Skinner, Olathe junior and president of the University's Circle K. "It's one big network."
Circle K models itself after Kiwanis, where members sometimes choose to transfer after college.
"It's not only a way of service, it's a way to get involved and meet people you'll know forever." Skinner said.
Although Circle K was formed two years ago, leadership problems caused the club to stop meeting. Melissa Stein, a Kansas State University student and Circle K lieutenant governor has been helping the University's group get on its feet again.
Stein said Circle K was a unique leadership organization for students because it encompassed a variety of community services. The group is completely student-run, so it is free to choose any type of project, ranging from work with the environment or children to visiting nursing homes and handicapped people.
Circle K members said they encouraged students interested in community service to join. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Daisy Hill room inthe Burge Union.
"We don't focus on one particular aspect," said Megan Brening, Hays sophomore and Circle K treasurer. "We try to do more of a broad spectrum of things."
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Twelfth Annual James E. Seaver Lecture ON CONTINUING ISSUES IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION
ANTHONY CORBEILL
Associate Professor of CS
The University of Kansas
February 15, 1999
Alderson Auditorium, Kansas Union
Reception Following, Malott Room Sponsored by the KU Humanities and Western Civilization Program
MATHEMATICS PRIZE COMPETITION
Junior Level: Open to all undergraduates
Senior Level: Open to all undergraduates First prize--$150
of non-senior standing First prize--$100 Second Prize--$50
Both exams will be given on February 23 7-10 pm in room 306 Snow
To participate you must register in 405 Snow by noon, February 23
COPIES OF LASTYEAR'S COMPETITION ARE POSTED OUTSIDE 405 SNOW
Did you bomb your first semester?
MINORITY FRESHMAN FORUM
A chance for minority freshmen at KU to learn how to recover from a tough IIS semester at college.
7-9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11 Kansas Union Lobby
All KU students are encouraged to attend.