THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009
NEWS
3A
HEALTH
Wellness Center educates on alcohol and sex safety
**Condoms are displayed** on a table promoting safe sex. The Wellness Resource Center held "Alcohol, Intimacy and Consent," an event aimed at educating students about sexual safety while under the influence of alcohol.
BY MEGAN HEACOCK mheacock@kansan.com
The Wellness Resource Center held an event yesterday to educate students about the dangers and consequences of having unprotected sex under the influence of alcohol. Students who attended the event, called "Alcohol, Intimacy and Consent," were offered condoms and informational pamphlets on how to increase personal safety while drinking.
"If people do choose to participate in sexual activity, we hope that they would take the extra step to protect themselves," said Health Educator Jenny Mckee. "It's important to know the possible negative consequences when you combine alcohol and sexual activity."
McKee said many students might make decisions under the influence of alcohol that they wouldn't have made otherwise, like using protection or even having sex at all.
"The next day you wake up, and you haven't gone through that thought process in a sober manner. You have to deal with it the next day" she said.
The event offered "Safer Sex Kits," which included two condoms and lubricant, as well as instructions for how to use condoms and dental dams.
McKee said students who lived in residence halls already had access to these, and therefore had access to the major components needed for safe sex.
McKee said there were real dangers to having unprotected sex. In particular, certain sexually transmitted infections, like HPV, HIV and herpes, cannot be cured. In addition, chlamydia can cause infertility in women if left untreated. But she said infections weren't the only danger of mixing sex and alcohol.
Annie McKay, assistant director of the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, cited a staggering statistic: one in four college-aged women are victims of sexual assault every year.
"Unfortunately, sexual assault will impact the majority of KU students at some point while they're here," she said. "We want them to know that there are resources on
campus."
Although much of the information was directed toward women, the event offered brochures for men as well.
McKay said the matter of sex and consent was important for everybody to understand.
"The consent piece of it is really on both men and women," she said. "And also, so we're not exclusively heterosexual about it, it's been in queer relationships as well."
Ashley DeSandre, Pocono Lake, Penn., junior, has worked for the Wellness Center for three years. She said students were usually surprised by these facts.
"I don't think people really, think of it on a serious level," she said. "When they see those stats, I think people are like, 'Wow, really?' This is a big deal. It really does bring it home and I think it will make them more aware of their situations."
Mckee said she thought students appreciated knowing that they had resources on campus and within the community.
"Alcohol and sex are two of the most prevalent health-related concerns that college students have," she said.
"Knowing that someone is out there to help you — us or the Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center — I think it gives students a peace of mind."
— Edited by Jonathan Hermes
BY THE NUMBERS:
1 out of 5 people abandu-
safe sex practices when
they're drunk
The Chance Companies
0 percent of college students admit to having sex drunk when they wouldn't have had sex sober
The Bacchus Network
1 out of 4 college-aged women are victims of sexual assault every year
Annie McKay, Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center
1 out of 2 students who are sexually active will contract a sexually-transmitted infection before they graduate.
— Genprobe-lab testing facility KU uses
19- to 24-year-olds are associated with the highest prevalence of periodic heavy alcohol consumption during the life span.
— brad21.com~"Be. Responsible.
About. Drinking
CAMPUS
Contruction workers try to fix a water main break at West Campus and Stratford roads. The main broke at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesdav morning
Streets flood, buildings lose water after water-main break
BY ALEX GARRISON agarrison@kansan.com
Water rushed down West Campus road after a water-main break Wednesday.
"I was just walking to class, but I couldn't cross the street because there was so much water," Katie Summers, Tula junior, said.
In the meantime, the watermain break caused two campus buildings, one fraternity and several off-campus houses to go without water for about seven hours. Some of those affected seemed to
take it in stride.
Faucher and her co-workers walked from their office in Carruth-O'Leary Hall to the Jayhawk Bookstore to use the restroom or get water throughout the morning.
"At least it's a nice day for a walk," said Ola Faucher, director of the department of human resources and equal opportunity, whose office is in one of the buildings without water.
The break occurred at about 7 a.m. at Stratford and West Campus roads. Carruth-O'Leary Hall, Joseph R. Pearson Hall and
Janette Klamm, utilities programs manager for the city of Lawrence, said she did not know the exact cause of the break, which she said was "relatively small." She further said that a break had happened on that line before and guessed that age caused Wednesday's break. The damage and repairs cost the city a little more than $1,000. Klamm said.
Delta Chi were all without water from about 7 a.m. until about 2 p.m.
Edited by Brenna M. T. Daldorph
EXERCISE (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
to work out regularly.
"Our formative years are through our early 20s," Quinlan said. "Once somebody gets into an exercise habit, and they feel the benefits, the increased energy, the less stress, they feel better about themselves because their clothes fit better. That's a positive reinforcement to continue that throughout life."
their bodies on a regular basis also can experience useful benefits for when they return to their studies.
Chris Crandall, professor of psychology, said studies have proved that students who set aside their books to condition
"With respect to people who are distractible, exercise can reduce your distractibility because being a little bit tired actually helps you focus." Crandall said. "It's not a cure, but it does help."
Crandall said the time it took to achieve these benefits in a workout was minimal — 30 minutes to an hour is all that's needed.
"We try to keep on the radar screen through e-mail and networking" Johnston said. "We want them to know about KU and encourage students on coming here."
Johnston said that most students of diverse cultures came to the University because of strong word-of-mouth through friends or family and that it gave them a sense of comfort.
Anne Stahr, orientation coordinator for ISSS, said that she helped international students with the
STUDENTS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
the International Recruitment Advisory Committee, of which she is a chair member, works on ways to advertise the University to diverse students. The committee reaches international students by buying space on Web sites that cater to them. It also sets up tables at fairs in international countries.
— Edited by Anna Kathagnarath
"I think it's great," Iaguirre said. "It shows KU is deeply devoted and dedicated to recruiting students across the country, across the world, across the state."
registration process and that there were definitely more students who came this fall as compared to last fall.
Juan Izaguirre, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said it works with the admissions office to recruit diverse students to the University by assisting them with hosting events and symposiums.
The number of minority students enrolled at the University increased this year.
Graphic by Nick Gerik/KANSAN
"I think it's just awesome that it's one for one, so it's not like if you buy 10 pairs of shoes, they donate one, it's one per pair of shoes," Mahon said. "They're not motivated by money at all, they're motivated by doing good for other kids who are in need."
CONCERT (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
which donates one pair of shoes to those in need for each pair that is purchased.
"I first heard about TOMS over a year ago and I've just been waiting," Perkins said. "I plan to own more than one pair."
Bailey Perkins, Wichita junior, was also inspired by TOMS business plan and she planned to take the walk on Friday.
Though she said she liked the idea behind TOMS shoes, Perkins won't be able to own a pair until later this month when TOMS comes out with her size.
Cordt said the benefits she received from her daily exercise at the University have been invaluable.
"I just thought that was a pretty cool idea and having a shoe affect a person's life — it's pretty emotional," Perkins said.
Edited by Megan Morriss
"I think during college, that's a necessity because you're constantly straining yourself on doing homework and studying," Cordt said. "It helps with schoolwork and attention. I just feel better, and I like I'm doing better in school."
Edited by Megan Morriss
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