I:1% S OPINION SPORTS The Behrend College Reed River? News Briefs see page 4 No Spring Break for Men's Basketball? see page 2 nin I. \ 1 ERT ‘ixmF,NT See pages 7 Ethics of Cloning g 7 see page 3 NON-PROFIT ORG g US POSTAGE Coll e ian Booty Call see page 5 PAID ERIE, PA ~,t , PERMIT # 282 Th d M h 6 1997 • P Volume XLV, No. 12 4,9 Let's talk about "Sex, sex, a o: 9 inore sex" by Sara Prosser New Editor "Sex, Sex, and more sex," was the topic at last Friday's open forum. The program, presented by HRPC, the Human Resource Programming Council, gave students the opportunity to speak openly, express their opinions, and ask questions on sex related topics. A questionnaire was distributed to approximately 150 Behrend students prior to the forum. The results of the survey were the focus of the forum, and students were able to respond and add their opinions to the discussion. The following are several of the statistics and responses. 68 percent of those polled considered themselves sexually active. This statistic didn't seem to surprise many students, although several expected the number to be higher. 50 percent of those that said they were sexually active, reported having had 5 or more sexual partners. Furthermore, of those students who said that they were sexually active, 64 percent reported that they always used condoms, 13 percent used them only sometimes, and 23 percent never used condoms. The basic consensus of students regarding unprotected sex, was disbelief. Many of the students found it hard to understand why people were not protecting themselves against pregnancy and STD's. "Everyone is aware of the risks, yet there are still people taking them. Students need to start taking responsibilities for their actions," one student said. It should come as no surprise then, that 4 percent of those polled said that they had been treated for an STD. Only 29 percent said that they had been tested for AIDS. "When most students are asked if they would have unprotected sex with someone knowing that he/she was HIV positive, they answer with a resounding no. I wonder if these same people realize that every time they have sex with someone, not knowing whether he/she is HIV positive or not, they are taking that same risk," said an anonymous student. In relation to sexual orientation, 82 percent polled considered themselves to be heterosexual, 17 percent homosexual, and approximately 1 percent bisexual. Many of the students seemed surprised by that statistic. Many were unaware that Behrend had that many students in the gay/ lesbian/ bisexual community. Alcohol also seemed to play a major role in the college scene when related to sexual activity. 70 percent of those polled said that they had sex under the influence of alcohol, and 40 percent reported being involved in a sexual encounter that they did not want. "I think that this was a very Erie, Sex, Sex, and More Sex-- Students were able to openly voice their opinions with co-facilitators Kerry Hinkson and Jason Giersh. important and worthwhile program. I hope that we are able to do it again in the future," said Jason Giersh, co-facilitator, and HRPC member. A 16563 Kerry Hinkson, co-facilitator, and also a member of the HRPC, added, "The forum went very well. It was a smaller group than I had hoped for, but it allowed for Black History Month concludes "Improving Cultural Awareness on Campus and in the Community" by Nathan Muhanna Collegian Staff Black History Month concluded last Friday evening with guest speaker B rother Mike lecturing on "Improving Cultural Awareness on Campus and in the Community". This forum was presented by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and held in the Reed Lecture Hall. "(Culture) is the last thing that black people want to deaf with.° Brother Mike is a business entrepreneur who makes his living in the Erie area. He has sponsored the annual African- American festival in Erie for the past several years, and he also co-sponsored the million man march from Erie to the nation's capital. He had much to say about the issue of cultural diversity. He opened by stating that each and every one of us needs peace in our lives and cultures. We all need to balance ourselves mentally, spiritually, and culturally. Speaking from an African-American point of view, he said that culture "is the last thing that black people want to deal with." He pointed out that African- Americans are the only culture that permit the celebration of their culture for only 28 days out of the year. He noted that other cultures celebrate all year round. He also spoke on the role slavery has played in African- a more personal setting." Diara Bond, 08 semester MIS said, "These are all important issues that need to be discussed further, and open forums like this American culture. Before slavery, African-Americans were pioneers in the fields of mathematics, science, and education, just to list a few. However, slavery destroyed the culture for 400 years. He stated that no change will occur as long as these three terms exist to describe African- Americans: "nigger", "negro", and "colored person". -Brotne'r Mike These terms originated from the era of slavery, and as long as they are still in use today, no forward progress can be made. Brother Mike also pondered the reasons why no enterprising centers are located in African- American communities. As a businessman, he explained that yes, capitalism works as an economic system, but not if certain groups do not profit from the system (referring to the African- American community). On the whole, 97 percent of money in African-American communities flows out, leaving only 3 per cent to be recycled back into the community. He summarized by saying that African-American peoples just don't appreciate their own. Addressing the students that had come to hear him speak directly, Brother Mike said that it is their responsibility to mend the current situation. Organizations may exist for African-Americans, but they receive no financial aid. allow for that type of discussion." The next open forum, "Gender Issues," will be held on March 26. For more information, please contact HRPC. Poverty abounds in African- American culture because there is no support or funding for their agencies. It is up to college organizations, such as ABC and NSBE , to change this, he said. They cannot expect money to be thrown in their direction, rather, they must earn it. African-Americans are under society's microscope, so they must perform better. Activities that promote cultural awareness will be noticed and will elicit more funding. "This is how it all begins," he said. Brother Mike explained that culture means respecting one another. "qhis is how it all begins." -Brother Mike He suggested that we rely on ourselves to learn about culture, which means doing some reading and not believing everything we hear. In conclusion, Brother Mike said that a strong cultural foundation is the best way to improve cultural awareness everywhere. Have a nice Spring Break!"
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers