TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
SEX ON THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
GTA advocates for women to respect, empower themsevles
Steven Bartkoski/KANSAN
Jessica St. Clair works with the sexual assault prevention program, teaches a relationships class, and is a political volunteer.
BY JESSE FETTERLING
correspondent@kansan.com
KANSAN CORSPONDENT
You might have seen her at freshman orientation doing a skit about sexual assault, or maybe at the Dummies Guide to Dating lecture. She could be your teaching assistant in the Building a Healthy Community class. This thrice-a-day coffee drinker is Jessica St. Clair, an independent person with a lot to teach people.
"It hurts me when women don't respect themselves enough that they accept being treated unfairly or stand up for what they believe is right." St. Clair said.
teacher. St. Clair is a graduate student and works with the sexual assault prevention and education program. She gives presentations all over campus to help inspire women to feel safe, secure and respected.
said.
St. Clair also works for the Women's Civic and Political Leadership Conference. Her goal is to make women feel more empowered. She wants them to have enough confidence to know that they can make a difference in others lives and be strong enough to know what they do actually matters.
"I've had friends that have been in really
unhealthy relationships. It was a big deal when one of their boyfriends would try to control what they did or who they hung out with," St. Clair said.
St. Clair said, "Women just need to make their own decisions and feel more confident about themselves," she said.
And it's not that she dislikes men.
tmes them. "I'm a feminist, but I definitely still have as many high-heeled shoes as the next girl," St. Clair said.
St. Clair said she likes guys who are intelligent and involved in the community. She likes to know if a guy voted in the last election. Jealousy is something that really turns her off because she's not anyone's object.
one's object.
"You don't want to have to balance all your social activities with a boyfriend, making it feel like an obligation or something." she said.
Although she may seem like she knows all about relationships since she taught the Dummies Guide to Dating course, she, like anybody else, doesn't know all the answers to relationships.
"I think in high school I intimidated some guys because I have very strong feelings about what it is to be independent, but now they seem to respect and understand me more for who I am," St. Clair said.
In her Dummies Guide to Dating class they talked about whether women can approach men and the fine line between knowing if you're dating somebody or if
Like many girls, she watches Sex and the City, a show about women who don't depend on men, instead leaning on each other.
you're just friends going out.
"I just think it's stupid how many games people play in relationships. People need to be less afraid about admitting that they like someone," St. Clair said.
If only everyone were that sexy.
said.
"There's just too much time being wasted."
Proven tips and tricks for the morning-after trip home
BY DENA NEURSERVANNEN
correspondent@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
Futon, bed, couch or floor, random hook-up or friendly sleepover, it is a fact: the morning after a night of romance can mean facing the dreaded "walk of shame." To ease the pain of this unfortunate college ritual, seasoned veterans share their tricks of the trade on how to survive common morning-after dilemmas.
1. Teeth and Breath
Morning breath. This particular hygiene predicament is not only offensive to others, but is personally unpleasant as well. If you find yourself in this predicament often, you may want to carry a toothbrush or gum in your purse or jean-pocket. Otherwise, borrow toothpaste from your host. Put a dab on your finger and rub it all over your teeth and gums, rinse and repeat.
Guys: Unless you went out in something really dressy, you shouldn't have a problem wearing those clothes home. If she stayed at your place, though, and wore something of yours home, Chad Reynolds, Kansas City, Kan. sophomore warns, "Make sure you get your clothes back."
2. Clothing
Gals: Nothing says, "I haven't been home" like salacious clothing on a sunny morning. Try to dress-down whatever you wore; you could borrow a T-shirt to cover that tiny tube-top or some shoes to replace your heels.
Both: Clothes can be the biggest morning after giveaway, so make sure you wear yours correctly — shirts on forward and right-side-out, buttons buttoned and flies zipped.
and pull it back. For short hair, use a little water and style it with your fingers. Be sure to check the back, too.
Gals: "Definitely put your hair in a ponytail!" Rachel Peart, Overland Park junior, said. Borrow a brush, or use your own if you brought one, and remember that water can calm fly-aways. If you don't have a ponytail holder, Jade Martens, Salina sophomore, suggested you steal a rubber band from the desk. It may not be fashionable, but it gets the job done.
4. Face
Guys: Just wash it.
Gats: "Take off your eye-makeup," Jayme Shilkrot, Minneapolis, Minn. senior advised. Wet a tissue or some toilet paper to remove the smeared make-up from around your eyes. Don't rub too hard, though, red and swollen skin will attract more attention to the area.
This is a difficult situation and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
imated on a case-by-case Whether you thank the host, give them your digits or sneak out before they wake up, consider the consequences first. If you have class together, live in the same area or will run into each other on campus, sneaking out early will probably lead to more awkwardness and should be avoided.
5. The awkwardness
When used correctly, these steps should enable you to turn the "walk of shame" into a walk of pride, or at worst a walk of mild embarrassment. Still nervous or dreading that inevitable trek? "Walk with pride," Peart said. "For all they know your car broke down." Or, click your heels and repeat J.P. Bornholt, St. Louis, Mo., sophomore's mantra three times: "There is no walk of shame," "There is no walk of shame," "There is no walk of shame."
Guys: If it's long, run a brush through it — Edited by Marissa Stephenson
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