THE September 17, 1987 Vol. 86, No. 6
,VISTA
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Seminar provides sexual education By Kim Earnest
Associate Editor The Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, (SSSS) will have its first annual state conference at CSU, Sept. 25 and 26. The conference is a multidimensional approach to sexuality: human sexuality research, human sexuality education and human sexuality therapy. More than 50 professionals throughout the United States have been invited to participate in the two day seminar, which is open to all SSSS members, students and the general public. Dr. Lewis H. Irving, professor in the sociology/criminal justice department of CSU and chairman of the conference, said he hopes that students will take advantage of the situation, as it is a special opportunity. "First, the CSU student body is in an unique position to have the opportunity to be able to participate in the first state con-
ference of this kind," said Irving. "We are taking a big step in trying this. We have found the major group (of SSSS) to be interested as opposed to a few. There have been over 50 individuals invited to participate and only one turned us down. And his reasons were unrelated to the conference." "Secondly, this is unique for the students, as our society (SSSS) does not go after student representation, but is usually for the profession," Irving said. SSSS is dedicated to the advancement of scientific knowledge about human sexuality. The Society is also dedicated to protecting freedom of scientific inquiry and expression. The Society believes in the importance of both the production of quality research and the clinical, educational and social applications of research, related to all aspects of sexuality. SSSS sees as vital, the dispersement of accurate scientific infor-
mation on sexual topics to interested researchers, practitioners, and public policy makers as well
as to the public media. The purpose and objectives of this conference and the
workshops, are to provide a forum for the dissemination and exchange, between interested professionals and others, of ideas and research findings involving sexuality. The conference also stives to improve the proficiency, effectiveness and knowledge of sexuality in all related fields, in the techniques and skills of sex therapy, sex education and sex research, by providing continuing education and technical assistance education. Some of the topics to be addressed during the conference include: incest, cross gender behaviors, sex education, A.I.D.S., sexual addiction, prostitution, exotic dancing, community response to rape, and developing an information and referral center. Irving said he felt very concerned that not enough data was getting to his constituents.
Senators debate precedence at meeting By Kevin Hunter
Student Writer During the Student Association meeting Sept. 14, Senator T. Lee Allen charged the Senate with, operating without a quorum, which Allen said, means the Senate has been conducting business illegally. Another Senator, Jeff Aynes countered Allen's attack by saying that there are currently only 18 of 44 Senate seats filled, so they were operating with a quorum. When Allen tried to continue questioning, Aynes abruptly stated, "I do not have to answer those questions, because I choose not to." In the Student Association Constitution, it states that all parliamentary procedures not explained in the constitution, should comply with Robert's Rules of Order. According to Robert's Rules of Order, a quorum is defined as 50 percent plus one. There are 45 seats in the Senate with 44 positions to be filled through elections, and one position to be filled by a senator representing the Resident Housing Association (RHA). Currently, 18 of the 45 seats are filled. Some of the remaining vacancies were appointed by Student Association President Jeff Shilling.
What's Inside.. . The 81st State Fair of Oklahoma-pg. 4 200th birthday of U.S. Constitutionpg. 5 Preview: CSU vs. Langston-pg. 6 Chopin society concert series-pg. 8
Shilling referring to Allen's objections about a quorum, stated that past precedents overuled the constitution and Robert's Rules of Order. "Past precedents would be any past experience by previous bodies," Shilling said. Shilling's arguement with Allen is that precedent is not correct, he said. Shilling continued to say that the membership of the Senate is at 18 which is their maximum compared to 45, the maximum required. "Do you manage with what you have or do you quit? I want to do what it takes to do the best for the student body," Shilling said. After the meeting, Allen said, "I am in the process of challenging the rule of the chair to the Central State University Supreme Court for the purpose of defining what a quorum is." Allen said, "I intend to put a stop to Shilling's rules of order and try to get the Senate back to Robert's Rules of Order. If the Student Senate body is going to hold itself up as a learning body, I insist that they learn the correct rules." At press time, Shilling had not received the suit from Allen. "The Supreme Court can handle the case, it's not in my hands anymore. I'm not going to break stride with things to worry about a case as unsignificant as this, " Shilling said.
"There is not a thing a student can't learn. We all will be sex educators of some kind, whether to our children, brothers and sisters, etc," Irving said. "This is an opportunity for the students to listen to different sexual issues discussed. Our goal is not to change the attitude in the way they think, but a forum of current ideas and interacting with professionals in the field work and education." Registration fee is $10 for students (I.D.'s required) and $25 for the general public. Students can also receive workshop credit for attending the conference. The conference will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 25 and conclude at 5 p.m., Sept. 26. For additional information contact Dr. Lewis H. Irving, room 209 of the Liberal Arts Building or by calling 341-2980, extension 5622.
Students needed for committees Student representatives are needed to join university committees. Student Association President Jeff Shilling announced the following openings at the Sept. 14 Student Association meeting. These include: Supreme Court Justices-two openings, which Shilling will appoint, Cultural Arts-six openings, Awards-two openings, Religious Emphasistwo openings, Council on Academic Affairs-two openings, Health-three openings, Librarytwo openings, Traffic Appeals-six openings, Student Conduct-four openings and Housing Appealsone opening.
Former student unravels myths about AIDS By Monica Kremeier
Student Writer Blake Rothaus, a former CSU advertising/marketing major, is unraveling the myths and revealing the facts of one of the nation's largest growing epidemics. Rothaus is one of three persons currently employed by the state of Oklahoma to discuss the topic of AIDS. Rothaus is also a member of the Board of Directors for the OASIS Community Center, and founder of the AIDS Support Group in Oklahoma City. He is also a person with AIDS. Last night, at a seminar in Lawton, Rothaus presented a group discussion on AIDS. It was only one of the many presentations he gives every week throughout the state. In his lectures, he discusses one of the most popular theories on
the origination of AIDS. "Among scientists, the "Green Monkey Theory" is the most generally accepted. In many African tribes, boys entering into manhood, go through a ritual in which they have intercourse with a monkey of the green monkey species," Rothaus said. "After the ritual, the other members of the ceremony kill the monkey and eat its brain and drink its blood. It is believed through the contact between man and animal, the virus is manifested." In his lectures, he also stresses that there is no such thing as safe sex, only "safer" sex. The only absolute method of safe sex is abstinence or in a monagomous relationship where neither partner is infected. Rothaus said, there is risk, however, sharing needles in drug use, having sex with a person in a
high risk group (homosexual or bisexual men, or IV drug user), or having sex with multiple partners or with persons who have had multiple partners. Rothaus is not a supporter of mandatory AIDS testing. He said he feels that it only drives those that need it, the most underground, and that the test is only as good as the day you take it "There is a three week to six month period between the time you are exposed to the virus and the time that it takes your body to show antibodies that would test positive for AIDS. AIDS also has an incubation period of one to 10 years. Which means, that it could be one to 10 years after being exposed to the AIDS virus before one contracts AIDS," Rothaus said.
As well as informing the public, he dispels many of the fallacies surrounding the AIDS issue. One of the biggest being the fear that one can contract the AIDS virus through casual contact. Rothaus said there are currently 163 cases in Oklahoma, and it is estimated that there will be 400 new cases reported in 1988. The survival rate of an AIDS patient after diagnosis in Oklahoma is 4.2 months. The survival rate across the United States is 14 months. Rothaus has already beaten the national average. "Statistics have proven that AIDS "is not a disease that only homosexuals and IV drug users have to worry about, it affects us all. By 1991 it is estimated that everyone will know somebody that has the disease or has died of AIDS," he concluded.