monday, february 9,2004
news
the university daily kansan
3A
Speaker to emphasize individuality
Greek community to learn merits of self-confidence
By Azita Tafreshi
aftresfhi@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
We've all been told that nobody's perfect, and tonight the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils will remind members of the greek community that they aren't expected to be.
At 7 tonight in the Kansas Union at the Ballroom on Level 5, Victoria Moran, life transformation specialist, will present The Tyranny of Effortless Perfection: Body Image, Self-Image, and Crafting a Life that Matters to men and women of the greek community.
Moran is a two-time Oprah guest and author of 10 books, including Creating a Charmed Life, which has been translated into 28 languages. In addition to appearing on NBC's Today show and National Public Rado's All Things Considered, Moran has been featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, Cosmopolitan,
Glamour, and Self.
Women of all ages, and increasingly men as well, think the only standard worth living up to is the impossible standard of perfection. Moran said.
"The media influence in our lives today is so strong that people all over this country are displeased with themselves," Moran said.
Moran said she would present ways to help her audience tap into their own inner power to realize the strength and potential that each individual has to offer the world, as well as help them make peace with their bodies.
College is a vulnerable time in terms of body image, said Jacky Carter, Shawnee sophomore and member of Delta Delta Delta. "People get a misrepresentation, and they strive to be something that's not even real," Carter said.
Negative body image is an issue with college students, whether they're greek or not, said Christina Strubbe, vice president of educational programs and scholarships for the Panhellenic Executive Board. But the Leawood sophomore said a presentation of this nature
"People get a misrepresentation, and they strive to be something that's not even real."
that's not even real."
Jacky Carter
Shawnee sophomore
might be particularly pertinent for greek men and women because of the nature of their living situations.
"You are constantly with all men or all women, and it's a lot of competition," Strubbe said.
Despite being a relevant issue, body image is not often discussed, Strubbe said. She said it would be good for people to hear Moran's positive message; many who seem confident actually have problems with their self-esteem.
"Everyone's trying to be better than the person by them or be just like them," Strubbe said. "People need to be happy with who they are and realize we are a community built on several different kinds of people, and we cherish diversity."
Moran said members of the greek community seemed to work very hard to maintain themselves in a variety of ways, whether it be academically, socially, or physically, and it could be easy to go overboard.
Pressure to uphold images like these was not a burden unique to women, said Margot Kral-Hasty. The Overland Park senior and member of Pi Beta Phi said she had noticed a general craze toward working out, both within and outside the Greek community.
"I think sometimes it focuses too much on the body image aspect instead of the mental and health benefits of it," Kral-Hasty said.
People are led to believe they have to fit a certain mold to be happy and fulfilled, but that is not the secret, Moran said.
"You don't get it from fitting the mold," Moran said. "You get it from having the nerve to find your own uniqueness."
Strubbe said the program was open to all greek men and women and was paid for with Coca-Cola funding and the greek programs budget.
— Edited by Louise Stauffer
Program offers healthier options
By Matt Rodriguez
mdrroguez@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Watching what you eat can help you lose weight, but so can watching how much you eat.
Within two weeks, every Market restaurant on the third floor of the Kansas Union except Pizza Hut will offer Fresh and Hearty entrees, said Jay Glatz, director for Memorial Unions' food services.
Fresh and Hearty is a program that offers students who eat at residence halls and the Market alternatives to high calorie
entrees. The program was started a year ago by Watkins Memorial Health Center and the Union.
The goal of Fresh and Hearty is to provide students with healthier food options on campus with the idea of improving their diets, said Ann Chapman, Watkins dietitian.
The Fresh and Hearty entrees must meet a strict requirement in areas such as fat content and calories. Fresh and Hearty's portions are close to the food guide pyramid's recommended amount, said Jason Arnett, Union Market supervisor.
The amount of servings a person eats is often more than they expect, Chapman said. For example, most people don't realize that a serving size of salad greens is only one cup, or about the size of a baseball.
Restaurants can be another burden for dieters because of value marketing. This is when restaurants serve more portions for one entree at a lower cost. This makes people think they're saving money or getting more for their dollar. According to Chapman, this marketing approach sends the wrong message to the public what a serving size actually is. Students need to train themselves to recognize what a proper portion looks like. She would like to see more places around campus display nutritional information, including how many portions are in a certain foods.
Arnett said the Market did not display the nutritional information per food serving because students tend to overlook that information.
"Our staff is trying to educate students about the programs one person at a time," Arnett said.
- Edited by Cindy Yeo
By Patrick Cady
pcady@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Gay marriage OK'd in Massachusetts
In the fight for gay rights, Massachusetts took a step forward last week.
Wednesday, the state's highest court legalized marriage between same-sex couples. Same-sex marriages could begin taking place by Mav.
In Lawrence, some celebrated the decision, but others believe it's a call for continued discussion.
"I think it's part of a continuing trend," Aaron Glover, Wichita freshman, said.
It's a trend that has been met with opposition. The path has not been easy considering President Bush's support for a male-female definition of the sanctity of marriage during the State of the Union address and the handful of states that have refused support for similar amendments.
"Right now we're mired in a political bog," said John Macauley, professor emeritus in religious studies. "It'll continue to fuel debate into the election year," he said.
Things have been changing recently, he said. Last year's Lawrence v. Texas ruling found a same-sex sodomy law was unconstitutional.
In the past, courts have voted evenly concerning gay rights, Macauley said.
Then in New Hampshire, a gay bishop was elected for the first time.
Don Haider-Markel, associate professor in political science, said he saw that this ruling could cause similar governmental upheaval, questioning the current federalist system, or how laws react between states. Because of the possibility of a constitutional amendment, the Massachusetts ruling could bring gay rights into even more of a national forefront, Haider-
Markel said.
Having taught a course on religious issues and the Supreme Court, and serving as a reverend in the Episcopal church, Macauley said the ruling was still a step in the right direction, even though it was slow going at first.
Lucy Ash, Jacksonville, Fla. freshman, welcomed these changes, and the Massachusetts decision in particular.
"I was really excited," Ash said. "It was a huge breakthrough in terms of stating that same same-sex couples could share a civil union."
Macauley also welcomes these changes, but sees that greater value could be had in discussion.
"I think the best way to deal with these issues is to bring people of like minds and differing views together and just talk," he said.
The Massachusetts decision has also inspired strong words in religious circles.
The Rev. Joseph Tung Dang of the International Catholic Apostolic Church said these decisions help support universal values.
"In the Catholic Apostolic International church we'll be blessing every couple," Dang said. "Every committed couple can celebrate their love."
However, not all share the conception that same-sex marriages are a good thing.
"I believe that marriage is an image of the divinity of God shared between a man and a woman," Katie Davis, Overland Park senior, said. "I think the concept of a same-sex marriage is a lie, and the expression of it can never be a reality."
Glover said he was glad Massachusetts ruled in favor of gay marriage, but things were still far from perfect.
"I think there is still a lot left to do," Glover said.
- Edited by Collin LaJoie
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