MONDAY, DEC. 10.200m
SEX ON THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3B
Distance no obstacle for true love
By Stephen Schmidt
Kansan correspondent
Some students find the perfect girlfriend or boyfriend on campus. For some, however, meaningful relationships are miles and miles away.
"Distance doesn't really matter," said Lizzy Pajl, Yankton, S.D., freshman. "You find different ways to make it work."
Pajl spends about 30 minutes each night talking to her boyfriend, Walt Wilson, a junior at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., approximately 400 miles away.
The two met last June and have been in constant contact since, talking on the phone or making the 5 1/2-hour trip to visit each other.
"You've got to keep in touch," Wilson said. "You've got to write and talk often. We use a lot of communication."
When Wilson and Paijl meet face to face, they use every minute of their time together to keep their relationship strong.
"When we're together, we try to do different fun activities," Pajl said. "We try different meals, and we go to different exotic places. We just do a variety a things, and we're always together."
together. The couple has canoeed down the Missouri River and camped in Manitoba, Canada. For New Year's Eve, they plan to be at Times Square in New York City.
Despite the distance between them, both Pajl and Wilson remain committed to each other.
"Unless you're really committed, it's not going to work," Wilson said.
Lawrence senior Lindsay Viner and her boyfriend, Jason Marck, live two time zones apart. Marck lives in Los Angeles.
"The only way we could survive is just by talking to each other every day." Viner said.
Viner and Marck were good friends when Marck lived in Lawrence. It wasn't until he moved to Los Angeles, and Viner flew west to catch up with an old friend, that they officially became a couple. Since then, they have talked every day.
Viner knows skeptics of long distance relationships abound, but she's not one of them.
they have talked every time "If you can't communicate with each other on a daily basis, it's not a relationship." Viner said.
"It's always hard because people said it will never work," she said. "But when it's right, you can make it work. I am a firm believer that if it's the right person at the right time, you can make it work."
Contact Schmidt at 864-4810
Contraceptive patch approved
By Joe Fitzgerald Special to the Kansan
Sexually active students who are concerned about unwanted pregnancy have a variety of contraceptive options, and more are soon to come.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the first contraceptive skin patch, called the Ortho Evra patch, in November. The Ortho-Evra patch emits the same hormones as birth control pills, and studies show it is just as effective in preventing pregnancy. Its manufacturer, OrthoMcNeil Pharmaceuticals, said Ortho-Evra would be available by prescription next year.
Until then, there are still a number of effective contraceptives available to students.
Kathy Guth, medical staff professional at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said students
were usually aware of available birth control methods.
Case Collard, Leavenworth junior, said Watkins did a good job of informing students.
"They're always out on Wescoe Beach handing out condoms and brochures," Collard said.
sald.
Guth said Watkins carried several methods of birth control, including intrauterine devices, or IUDs, and Norplant. IUDs are long-term contraceptives placed inside the uterus. They are about 99 percent effective. Norplant is a hormonal contraceptive that is surgically implanted into a woman's upper arm. Norplant is highly effective, with only .09 percent of women becoming pregnant in the first year of use. There are possible side effects, however, such as acne and ovarian cysts.
Other hormonal contraceptives, which include birth control pills and shots, are the most popular forms of protection. Watkins also offers barrier contraceptives, such as diaphragms, as well as over-the-counter products such as condoms and spermicide.
sperminclude. However, Cathy Thrasher chief pharmacist at Watkins, said she still recommended that students use condoms — even with other forms of contraception. She emphasized that, except for condoms, birth control methods do nothing to prevent STDs.
sure said.
For more information about contraceptives, students can visit Watkins to talk with a clinician or pick up brochures.
vent $1D5.
"Ideally, you want to use both a condom and a contraceptive," she said.
Contact Fitzgerald at 864-4810
Roommates,sex a bad mix
By Megan McKenzie Kansan correspondent
During college, students might find themselves experimenting sexually, but living in a residence hall could put a damper on their sex lives.
When living with a roommate, it is important to communicate about sex in the room. Many roommates establish rules about what kind of hanky-panky can take place there.
Roommates living in dorms think it's important to communicate about sex in their rooms. A sock or a red ribbon hanging on the doorknob signifies that someone is engaging in sexual activity.
Some examples are putting a sock on the outside doorknob when naked bodies are inside, not having sex in the presence of the other roommate or agreeing that there will be no sex in the room at all.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY OLIVIA SARI/KANSAN
Chris Lasister, Olathe sophomore, and his roommate came up with their own rule.
"Early on, we decided the only one getting nookie will be getting it in their own bed," he said.
But when the rules fail, sex lives result in shocking experiences for roommates. Just ask Christina Zarifa, Wichita sophomore and former Oliver Hall resident.
"One night I ran into my exboyfriend at The Hawk. We ended up going back to my dorm room and getting it on, on the floor," Zarifa said. "We were in a bit of a hurry because I knew my roommate would be back soon. The next day my roommate was cleaning the room and found a lovely little stain on her parents' Persian rug."
"Every time I come home, my roommate and his girl were in the bedroom having sex or showering together," he said. "One time I even walked in my room to find used condoms on my bed. This girl didn't even go to KU. She drove up here every
rug:
Derek McCallum, Overland Park sophomore and Templin Hall resident, said his former roommate's sex life was a continuous problem for him.
day to get some."
day to get some.
David Rosen, Wichita freshman, lives in McCollum Hall and shares McCallum's bed issues.
issues.
"Every time I come into my room, my roommate is trying to get his freak on with his 'friend' on my bed," Rosen said. "I always have to boot his ass off my bed. I don't know why he wants to do stuff on my bed."
Ian Fleming, an Olathe freshman who lives in Templin Hall, has had an entirely different sexual experience.
"Me and this girl were doing
the nasty on her birthday," Fleming said.
"Little did we know that her family was planning on coming up to surprise her that evening. They got the residence assistant to unlock the door so they could surprise her when she came home.
"When they opened the door, she was on top of me on the couch. I think her family got more of a birthday surprise."
Contact McKenzie at 864-4810