Wednesday, November 15, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Sex on the Hill
Section B · Page 3
Oueers and Allies tries to include straight students
By Joanna Miller
Kansan correspondent
Members of Queers and Allies want the community to know they aren't exclusive. The group has been trying to include members of the straight community through outreach programs promoting diversity.
Queers and Allies, a campus organization established to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, hopes to educate students and the community, as well as provide support for members.
"Inclusiveness is the biggest thing the organization tries for." said Jeremmy Wolff. Derbv junior.
Wolff is the coordinator of a community outreach program called "The Speakers' Bureau."
Through the program, Queers and Allies organizes a panel representing various sexual orientations and answers questions for classes and groups. By reaching out to others, members try to promote diversity and eliminate misconceptions surrounding their sexuality.
The group has given seven presentations this year and looks forward to continuing the program.
Throughout the year, that would end up reaching at least 1,000 people," Wolff said of the program's potential. Through participation in the program, Wolff said many people he spoke with thought sexual orientation was a choice.
in presentations, he often addresses the stereotype that people in gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered relationships focus only on sex.
"I would challenge straight people to ask: When did they ask to be straight?" he said.
"A lot of people think sexual orientation is one of their primary functions," he said.
As an example, Wolff said he thought of himself as a student and in terms of his major and interests before he thought of himself as a gay man. People sometimes forget to view a person as a whole, instead viewing a person just by his or her sexual identity, Wolff said.
Queers and Allies encourages the participation and support of straight students in the organization. Having straight student involvement "would improve the visibility of the queer community as seen by the straight," Wolff said.
The office coordinator for Queers and Allies, Sean Ringey, Clearwater junior, said he would like to see more people attend meetings.
"Anyone is welcome," Ringey said. "We would really encourage straight allies to come."
However, he said some members thought the organization should be only for students who were of certain sexual orientations.
"There are some members who don't want to integrate
with straight students," he said. "They want to show differences rather than similarities. There are a lot of people who would like to see the organization more activist."
One program the organization offers specifically to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students is a weekly support group. Ringey said the group was confidential and was formed as a way for students to gather and discuss issues related to their sexuality.
He said that dwindling attendance for Queer and Allies support groups concerned members and that participation in the groups could be suffering because group settings could intimidate some people, Ringey said.
"I think there are a lot of people who are aware of Q & A, but it is a big step for people to come to groups," Rinzev said.
Members of Queers and Allies look forward to events coming up in the spring, such as Pride Week and World AIDS Day, to boost campus awareness of diversity and their organization.
Wolff said the group was important not only as a resource for people trying to come to terms with their sexuality but also as an educational tool.
"If there were no group on campus, it would be a lot easier for people to continue stereotypes," he said. Edited by Amy Randolph
Sex course to be offered for no credit
By Cassandra Taylor Kansan correspondent
Students looking in the schedule of spring classes may be surprised at the absence of Dennis Dailey's Human Sexuality course.
The course is being offered as a series of classes for no credit this spring at Ecumenical Christian Ministries, 1204 Oread
Ave. The condensed course lasts for 10 weeks and meets every Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning Thursday, Jan. 25. The fee for the program is $30 for students and
Dailies: expect 70
100 students to
sign up for his class.
"I want my class to be incredibly practical," Dailey, professor of social welfare, said.
$40 for non-students.
He said he wanted students to bring depth to their relationships and have meaningful sexual bonds.
Human Sexuality, SW 303, will again be offered through the school of social welfare during the fall semester.
Kelly Lohrmeyer, Shawnee senior, said Human Sexuality was one of the best classes she had taken at the University.
"He talked about real issues and things that matter," Lohrmever said.
About 500 students normally enroll in the fall course and Dalley said when he's offered the course for no credit in the past about 70 to 100 students have signed up. The spring course covers a little less than half of the regular course and works with a smaller group of students.
For more information on registration for the spring course, contact ECM at 843-4933.
Lindsay and Luke Tevebaugh and their 1-month-old daughter, Lily, live in McColm Hall like many other traditional students. Luke is also the assistant director of security at McColm Hall. Portrait by Kara Kraus/KANSAN
Families confront different college experience
Marriage, children provide students hassles, fulfillment
By Alexzia Plummer
Kansan correspondent
— Edited by Kayla Monson
Imagine college life with bottle feedings and diaper changes instead of weekend parties and hangovers. For some students, having a family changes the college experience.
Shannon Baker, Abilene sophomore, has a 13-month-old daughter, Ashton, with her husband, Lucas.
"I realize that I can't just go out on the weekend." Baker said. "It limits the time I can spend with friends, but it's its own amazing experience." she said.
Baker said her family had a positive influence on her educational pursuit.
"I think I'm doing better in school," she said. "It makes me more focused, more serious. I have to get good grades so I can provide for my family.
"Instead of just pursuing the things I consider important on a whim, I'm responsible for two other people. It's fun and fulfilling, but there's more to be aware of."
Luke Tevebaugh works as the assistant director of security at McColum Hall. He also lives in the residence hall with his wife, Lindsay, and his 1-month-old daughter, Lilv.
“Instead of just pursuing the things I consider important on a whim, I'm responsible for two other people,” Tevebaugh said. “It's fun and fulfilling, but there's more to be aware of.”
Luke Tevebaugh
Living in the residence hall with traditional students gives Tewebaugh a unique perspective on college life.
"Looking back on normal college students, I see I was in the same spot three years ago," he said. "I never really sowed any wild oats, but I had my time of unconcerned freedom. I thought it would last forever. I had been looking forward to marriage, but I had no idea it would be so soon."
assistant director of security at McCollum Hall
Student-parents don't usually live on Daisy Hill; some chose to live at Stouffer Place and others live off campus. This distance from other students can hinder social interaction.
"When you don't live in the dorss, it separates you in a way," Baker said.
Different campus groups accommodate nontraditional students to ensure that they get the social as well as the academic benefits of college.
Kathy Rose-Mockry, program director of the Emily Taylor Resource Center, said time management was vital for students with families.
"When you're taking a full load of classes, parenting and keeping a job, that requires a lot of balancing," Rose-Mockry said. "You
have very little spontaneous, unstructured time to get connected to the campus and meet new people."
Rose-Mocky said the center's staff offered resources and assistance to students who needed help.
The Student Development Center also aids nontraditional students in their college careers. Marshall Jackson, associate director, said that the staff encouraged students to get involved in student organizations, to take advantage of the University's resources, and to
make connections with people.
Other students' acceptance of students who have families can influence the social aspect of the college experience.
"I always feel awkward telling people for the first time that I'm married and have a kid." Baker said. "I get pretty positive reactions, but I've had some people who are noticeably uncomfortable.
Tevebaugh said most of the students he interacted with thought it was neat that a family lived in the same place as they do.
Baker stressed that although her lifestyle was different from most college students, she still had similar goals.
"Just because of the fact something happened that some would say is an unfortunate situation doesn't mean I have to change my goals," Baker said. "When you're 19 and you have a kid, people try to understand that. We're all 19, and we're all going to college."
Fewer women go to school to marry
By Amy Riscoe Special to the Kansan
For some students, there is more to college than just walking out with a diploma — college is a place to find someone to spend the rest of their life with.
"I'm not coming here to become a businesswoman," said Taylor Williams, Dallas, Texas, freshman. "I'm here to find a husband."
Williams, however, is an exception to the modern rule.
Between 1983 and 1999, the number of married students without children fell from 2,520 to 1,036, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Student married with children went from 1,459 to 713.
Nowadays, men and women were waiting longer to get married, said Dennis Karpowitz, associate professor of psychology. Karpowitz said that waiting longer to get married was a positive trend for relationships because partners going into the marriage were older and more experienced and that waiting increased the longevity of the marriage. He said women were now more independent and wanted to be able to support themselves.
But relationships are still an important part of the college experience.
"It appears that finding a marriage partner is still one of the resaons to go to school," Karpowitz said, "although students are less likely to list this as a reason than they did 20 years ago."
"Back then, finding a husband was the No. 1 reason why women went to college," said Ginny Hayward, Gamma Phi Beta housemother. "They usually got married right away and never graduated."
"All of the weddings that I have gone to, the bride and groom met each other while they were at school."
Mary Corcoran, Lawrence junior, said women today seemed to go to school for an education, not to find a relationship.
"They are more interested in getting a job once they graduate, not a husband." she said.
The number of students on campus made the University a good place to meet potential mates, said Jordan Ream, Dallas, Texas, freshman.
"We are all about the same age and have common interests," said Ream.
And some students think they have already found their spouse.
"I already found her, but she doesn't know it yet," said Josh Mulsow, Overland Park sophomore.
— Edited by Erin Adamson
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