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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
VOL.103,NO.117
KANSAS STATE
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TOPEKA KS 66612
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
ADVERTISING: 864-4358
(USPS 650-640)
Studies program ripens with age
NEWS: 864-4810
Both men and women are filling classrooms after 22 years of growth
By Jamie Munn
Kansan staff writer
After a birth through activism and reform 22 years ago, KU's women's studies program has matured into a full-fledged academic organization.
Offering both a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of general studies, the women's study program was established in 1972 after campus unrest that had been generated by a national period of feminist reform, said Sylvia Stone. administrative assistant for the program.
Stone said that about 50 students were working toward majors in the program but that many students in other majors were enrolled in the 21 core courses and 21 cross-referenced courses offered.
Sandra Albrecht, director of women's studies, said that many students probably had the misunderstanding that the courses focused only on women's issues from the early 1970s.
but the program continues to develop issues from the 1970s and address concerns for women today.
"The changes that I see are in the increased depth of theory," Albrecht said. "Twenty years later, we have benefited from the earlier scholars."
Diversity is evident within the classes offered in the program, Albrecht said. Students can take courses ranging from the histories of women in family and work roles to courses incorporating classical literature and contemporary film.
The program began at the University when faculty and staff formed Committee W, which stood for "women," to discuss changes on campus to address women's needs.
Two days later, 30 women, the February Sisters, occupied the East Asian Languages building and demanded changes for women on campus.
James Wilcox/KANSAN
James Wilcox/KANSAN Charlene Muehlenhard, associate professor of psychology and women's studies, teaches a class on women and violence.
Women's health-care services, greater equity in women's salaries and increased numbers of women in administrative positions were also part of their demands.
Among the concerns of the group was the need for an affirmative action office, a women's studies program and a free day-care center.
Feminism not focus of program
Later that fall, Janet Sharistianan, associate professor of English, was selected as the first women's studies coordinator.
Throughout the years, the program has been recognized with Ford Foundation grants and in worldwide conferences. And the program is continuing to grow, Albrecht said.
And the students aren't all women. Male enrollment in the classes varies from 50 percent in large lecture classes to only two or three students in smaller classes, Albrecht said. But both men and women increasingly are enrolling in the courses.
"I think it's partly because we have the reputation as being a good, solid program," she said.
Classes in the program fill quickly, leaving some women's studies majors struggling to enroll in classes they need to graduate.
Albrecht said the classes showed the perspectives of women, whose voices have not been heard in the past.
And working to take advantage of a groups' strengths to reach their goals should be important to anyone, she said.
By Jamie Munn Kansan staff writer
Some courses in the women's studies program, such as From Goddesses to Witches: Women in Premodern Europe, may frighten away the weak at heart.
But although many of the courses focus on feminist teachings, the stereotypes of women's studies may be unfair, said Lisa Bitel, assistant professor of history and women's studies.
Bitel, who teaches the goddess to witch course and History of Feminist Theory for the women's studies program, said class lessons were drawn from a variety of political views.
"We look at feminist theory, but in terms of a general view," Bitel said.
Larger issues, such as examining gender relationships and defining the differences between men and women, are studied in all historical periods in Bitel's history class. Marriage, sex and sexuality through the years also are discussed, she said.
"It's intellectual at first," she said. "But then they see how it relates to their own lives and personal experiences."
Bitel said she emphasized an open, less traditional atmosphere in her classes that helped prevent emotional or verbal friction between men and women.
"What can you do about stereotypes except try to break them down?" she said.
"We certainly value women, and, if that is feminism, then yes," said Muehlenhard, who teaches courses on women and violence as well as the psychology of women.
Charlene Muehlenhard, associate professor of psychology and women's studies, agreed with Bitel. She said the stereotypes of women's studies courses were not altogether true.
But feminist theory varies, and no one theory is mandated for the women's studies teachers, she said.
"Everyone can express their opinion while still being respectful of others," she said.
Sex expert promotes awareness
Therapist Ruth confronts issues, protest in stride
By Roberta Johnson Kansan staff writer
Dr. Ruth Westheimer follows her advice to stand up for what you believe in.
Westheimer, who addressed a full house at the Lied Center last night, urged listeners to discuss sexual issues and to stick to personal beliefs.
"I do believe that for some people the right time to be sexually active is after the wedding," she said. "Each person's decision should be based on religion, values and personal beliefs."
She said that women should take a more active role in sexual activity.
"The Victorian, Puritan mother would tell her daughter on her wedding night to just lay awake." Westheimer said. "Don't expect the earth to shake, don't expect the stars to twinkle. Don't expect anything. Just survive it."
"I don't think we have to be like that."
Dr. Ruth Westheimer
She said that only 30 percent of women had orgasms during intercourse. Another 30 percent can have
course. Another 50 percent have orgasms through other types of stimulation, and 30 percent of women do not have any type of sexual satisfaction, she said.
Westheimer also urged her listeners to be responsible by using birth control when engaging in sexual activities.
Westheimer said that a woman had two options: tell the partner about her needs or fake it.
using birth control before ever giving birth. However, Westheimer said she did not condone the practice of distributing birth control in junior high and high schools.
"I don't want the entire school to know that Betsy went to get condoms," she said.
When a person has had a negative sexual experience, such as molestation or rape, the partner needs to be understanding, she said.
get comfortable. She said such a situation could lead to a case in which a teen-ager could be pressured into having sex by a future partner.
partner. When a person has had a negative sexual experience, such as molestation or rape, the partner needs to be underhonor sex history.
"When a homosexual couple comes into my office, I treat them with the same respect that I treat everyone else," she said.
Other sensitive topics Westheimer discussed included homosexuality.
Westheimer said she would not discuss issues such as the G-spot and the possibility of a 30-minute orgasm without having scientific data to back it up.
"Until someone has scientific data, I won't jump on the bandwagon," she said.
But protesters outside the center demonstrated against Westheimer's philosophies.
Westheimer's philosophies. Ten people from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, led by the Rev. Fred Phelps, stood outside the center and held signs against homosexuality before Westheimer's speech.
One of the protesters said that he did not like the fact that she was speaking at the University.
"She's a pervert," said Chris Davis of Topeka.
Another protester, Jonathan Phelps of Topeka, quoted the Bible against those who commit adultery. He said the only proper setting for sex was within a marriage.
Some students approved of the way Westheimer handled the situation. The group left when the discussion began. So she began her talk by saying that because the people who did not want her to talk were gone, she and the audience could discuss what they wanted.
The dark side of running
HIV test may dent students' pockets
Students who jog to keep in shape may be putting themselves at risk of developing health problems.
Page 9.
Page 9.
By Angelina Lopez Kansan staff writer
One in every 500 college students is infected with the AIDS virus.
The $18.50 price tag of an HIV test at Watkins Memorial Health Center, however, may dissuade people who think they are infected from taking the test. For students who spend a week living on Ramen noodles, that price tag may convince them that the test is a necessity they can live without.
These facts from an American College Health Association study translate to about 50 KU students who are HIV-positive.
People who go to Watkins for an HIV test have the options of confidential or anonymous testing, said Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins. If confidential testing is chosen, a blood sample from the patient is sent to a private lab, and those results are available in two days. The results of the test are put in the patient's file, but these results cannot be released to another doctor without the consent of the patient.
If a patient chooses anonymous testing, the patient makes an appointment under a false name, Yockey said. These blood samples are sent to a laboratory that is financed by the state, and the results are returned in two weeks. No records of the test are kept by the patient's hospital.
Yockey said that because some of the tests were anonymous, the staff had no way of knowing whether patients were KU students. Therefore, student health fees cannot be used to support the services of nurses who administer both the confidential and anonymous tests and give pre- and post-counseling. The $18.50 charge covers most of the cost for the nursing services.
Yockey said that about two years ago, anonymous HIV testing was free at Watkins and at the Douglas County Health Department, 336 Missouri St., Suite 201. But when state funds for HIV testing were severely cut, the health department had to begin charging fees.
Ann Allor, HIV testing and counseling coordinator for the health department, said the charge for anonymous HIV testing was $16, but patrons would not be refused
services if they could not pay.
higher risk, she said.
Virginia Shepard, communicable disease program manager for the Topeka-Shawnee County Health Agency, 1615 W. Eighth St., in Topeka, said the cost of an HIV test at the clinic was $5. The same high-risk requirements of the health department apply at the clinic. But Shepard said that if people needed to be tested because of a needle prick or because they needed documentation that proved that they had been tested, their blood samples could be sent to a private lab for $13.
But in order for people to participate in the test, Ailor said, it must be determined that they have high-risk behaviors. These behaviors include indiscriminate sexual activity and intravenous drug use with an unclean needle. If it was found that a person does not have high-risk behaviors, the test could not be taken. The state will not analyze blood that is not considered to be high risk, she said.
Yockey said that the differences in the departments' prices were due to the differences in the funds that each county received. Shawnee County receives more
Wheretogo
The following is a list of places that offer HIV testing:
watkins Memorial Health Center
864-9500 *
Douglas County Health Department
336 Missouri St., Suite 201
-$16
$10
Topeka-Shawnee County Health
Department
1615 W. Eighth St., Topeka
295-3650
-$5
求
money from the state for HIV testing because it has a bigger population, he said.
KANBAN
Although Douglas County probably gives more HIV tests because of its college student population, Yockey said, the county gets less money because college students are not included in the census.