THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2009
NEWS
3A
LIFESTYLE
Both genders mesh at home
Some students prefer to live with members of the opposite sex
BY KAYLA REGAN
kregan@kansan.com
Cohabitation isn't just for people in romantic relationships anymore, says John Curtis, a former family and marriage counselor and author of "Happily Un-Married: Living Together and Loving it." May is National Cohabitation Month.
Although some students live with the opposite gender for romantic reasons, others cohabitate because it's convenient or because they want to live with their best friend. According to Curtis, cohabitation is founded in a "widely diverse" set of reasons.
From his research on relationships, Omri Gillath, assistant professor of psychology, said people should consider certain factors before they decided cohabitation was right for them.
"I think two people's set of preferences are more important than gender," Gillath said. "It's also different if you're dating someone else, whether or not your attracted to each other, and how experienced you are living outside of your house plays into it."
Vanessa Green, Perdonza junior,
met her roommate, Jordan Gard.
sitting next to him in class freshman year.
"I told him that he smelled good," Green said. "He looked at me and thought I was a freak."
Green said Gard was more laid back than most of the girls she knew, and it definitely made a difference in their living situation.
"I never want to move," Green said. "I know what makes him mad and he knows what makes me mad. With him being a guy he doesn't hold grudges, and we don't stay mad at each other."
Green said she was cleaner than he was, but they both performed chores and picked up messes without having to talk to each other about it. Although they know everything about each other, she said he still did things she did not understand.
She said they had never been interested in each other romantically but had become best friends.
Green said another perk of living with Gard was when his attractive guy friends visited. Gillath said having a roommate whom you aren't dating could increase a person's chances of finding a partner.
Mallory Tangeman, Wichita junior, said she and her other female roommate met guys when they had a male roommate. They had more fun watching his romantic pursuits unfold.
"We saw him hanging out with girls and then calling his ex-girlfriend and she had no idea." Tangman said. "It was just funny to both of us because we don't have brothers and so neither of us had ever lived with a guy before."
Tangman said her other roommate had a hard time with their male roommate leaving the toilet seat but eventually learned to live with it. Although he didn't clean much, Tangman said she didn't attribute it to his gender.
Tangeman said he never caused drama and was more easy-going than most girls, and they were sad to see him leave in January. She said some things were easier now that she had all girl roommates again.
"I've lived with messier girls before." Tangeman said.
"It is nice to not have to worry about walking around the house in a towel or anything." Tangeman said.
- Edited by Chris Horn
Officials stop recommending schools to close for swine flu
HEALTH
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Students head back to school Tuesday morning at Rocori Middle School in Cold Spring, Minn., after the school closed last week due to a case of swine flu. Hundreds of schools have closed and U.S. health officials said the virus had turned out to be milder than feared.
ATLANTA — U.S. health officials are no longer recommending that schools close if students come down with swine flu, the government said Tuesday.
Last week, schools were advised to shut down for about two weeks if there were suspected cases of swine flu. Hundreds of schools around the country have followed the government's guidance and closed schools, giving students an unexpected vacation and leaving parents scrambling for child care.
"We no longer feel that school closure is warranted," said Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the swine flu virus had turned out to be milder than feared and the government decided to change its advice. So far, the virus has not proved to be more infectious or deadly than the seasonal flu.
As the threat seemed to diminish health officials also considered the
The CDC said parents should still make sure to keep sick children with flulike symptoms at home for seven days.
problems the closings were creating for parents, Besser said. Officials were hearing about children getting dropped off at libraries, or parents who couldn't take sick leave to care for their children.
"The downsides of school closure start to outweigh the benefits." Besser said.
The change in guidance was made in consultation with the White House and other officials, Besser and others said.
Tuesday for flu-related reasons in 24 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Education Department. In total, these schools enroll approximately 468,000 students on a typical day. 55 million students attend about 100,000 schools in the U.S.
An estimated 726 public and nonpublic schools were closed
The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States is now over 400, with hundreds more probable cases. The CDC knows of 35 swine flu related hospitalizations and one death, a Mexican toddler who died in Texas.
GRADUATION Students continue schools tradition with banners
Thirteen students will carry their school banners as they lead the 2009 graduating class through the Campanile and down the hill to the commencement ceremony May 17.
One student from each of the University's 12 professional schools and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences were selected by administration and
faculty to carry the banners as part of a 101-year-old tradition
"The deans and the faculty pull together a list of outstanding students and faculty-nominated ones."Toni Dixon, director of communications for the School of Business, said. "They look for students who have been very involved in the school, clubs and activities."
Bethany Shelton, Overland Park graduate student, will carry the banner for the School of Law and said she was a little nervous.
"I think it'll be exciting and a little intimidating," Shelton said. "I'm a bit klutzy so I hope I don't trip."
Joe Isaac, Wichita senior, found out about a month ago that he had been selected to carry the School of Business banner.
"I didn't know much about it but as I read through the letter, I thought it was pretty cool and I realized it was a pretty big privilege," Isaac said. "It's going to be kind of weird not being able to
sit with my friends, but it'll be a big honor to be on stage with the other banner carriers and deans."
A. J. Naeger, Lawrence senior and nontraditional student, said his wife and son would be in the audience as he carried the banner for the School of Architecture.
"I'm not nervous," Naeger said. "I'm just happy I don't have to give a speech."
— Michelle Sprehe
banner carriers by school
School of Pharmacy Eric Scott Gourley
School of Architecture and
Urban Planning — Aric J. Naeger
School of Social Welfare —
JoAnn Stovall
School of Journalism and Mass Communications — Matthew Dean Erickson
School of Engineering — Kayla Marie Klein
School of Law — Bethany Constance Shelton
School of Fine Arts - Abbey Leigh Saathoff
School of Business Joseph D. Isaac
School of Medicine — Landon Michael Johnson
School of Education — Valerie A. Chapple
School of Nursing — Sounithta Amanda Vilayyah
School of Allied Health Carrie Elizabeth Hodges
Elizabeth Hodges College of Liberal Arts and
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences — Robert J. Gordy.
www.news.ku.edu
You've made it!
Finally the all-nighters and daily treks up the Hill have paid off. As you prepare for Commencement, use the "Grad Guide" at www.kualumni.org/classof2009 for information about our graduation events, how to stay connected and life after KU.
This year the KU Alumni Association has joined with the KU Endowment Association to give you a special graduation gift; a one-year, free membership in the KU Alumni Association! You'll receive the Kansas Alumni magazine, a 2009 KU campus calendar, access to the online directory, special discounts and more.
In addition to your one-year membership, you're eligible for the new grad yearly dues rate of $25 for the next four years. If you're interested in becoming a Life Member, take advantage of our limited-time offer to purchase a life membership for half price at $500 before June 30, 2009.
Our graduation gift to you
For more details about Commencement, visit www.commencement.ku.edu.
Everything we do strengthens KU. Since 1883, the KU Alumni Association has kept 'Hawks connected to KU!
Don't miss these great graduation events!
GRAD GRILL
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 7
Adams Alumni Center
Join us and your fellow grads for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. Don't miss out on great door prizes, free food and drinks. This is your chance to pick up information about alumni activities and services Campus offices will be on hand to share information about their services to you...a proud KU graduate!
COMMENCEMENT LUNCH
11 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before you walk down the Hill, celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for graduates and their guests. The KU Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status, and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner.
To attend, send in your registration card and pick up your tickets on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, May 1-16.
Questions? Call the Alumni Association at 864-4760, e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or visit www.kualumni.org.
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