October 11, 1991 — LION’'SEYE — Editor, The Lion’s Eye: In “Ask Orlov,” in the September 20 issue, Dr. Orlov said: ‘To be blunt, the proper purposes and ac- tivities of this campus mean that none of us should face any risk of getting AIDS from others on this campus. If anyone became vulner- ‘able to a carrier while spending time on our campus, they would clearly have to be engaging in illegal or im- moral activities that have nothing to do with higher education.” The assumption that one would never meet a person (while on this campus) with whom one might develop a social relationship (to be exercised mainly off campus) is false. The assumption that everyone considers sexual activity to be immoral (what- ever the depth of the social relation- ship) is equally false. The belief that only “they” are going to get AIDS is the most pernicious and pervasive contributor to the spread of AIDS in the teenage population. Coupled to the normal myth among the young that they are immortal, it causes a tragic failure to use protection (con- doms) for ‘‘safe sex” — and an alarming, documented increase of AIDS among ‘‘straight,”’ non-drug- using teenagers. As an educator, I disagree that students’ social behavior has ‘‘noth- ing to do with higher education’ per se .. ., because we are educating per- sons. In any case, it is irresponsible for any member of the educational community to obscure this clear, direct message: Any person, in any community, from any socioeconomic or racial group, is at risk of getting "AIDS (as well as other venereal Letters to the Editor — diseases) if they have sexual inter- course outside of a monogamous relationship without protection. This means that both persons must be entirely ‘faithful.’ As far as AIDS is concerned, if you have sex with one person, you have sex with every other partner that person has known in the last ten years. The ad- ditional risk of unwanted pregnancy is sufficient reason to use birth con- trol. However, while ‘the pill” prevents pregnancy, it does not pre- vent transmittal of venereal disease, including AIDS. Students: both men and women should insist on the use of a condom during sexual intercourse, because both are potentially at risk for AIDS. Whatever the supposed con- siderations of relative pleasure (or manliness) might be, there is nothing macho about dying un- necessarily or about: killing another person ‘‘for love.” Jane E. Cooper, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Biology To the Editor: I was at the campus town meeting on racism and sexism on September 5th and as an African- American and, a woman the issues addressed affected me directly. I did not particularly care for the manner in which the meeting was organized, but that is not the issue I wish to discuss. The issue at hand is the reason for the meeting. According to reports, there was racial and gender slander spray painted in the men’s locker room in the Athletic Building. My question is, “Why?” At the meeting the question was asked ,”Is there a racial problem on this campus?” Of course there is; don’t be ridiculous. Just because (Continued on Page 10) fae Dear Dr. Orlov, : Some of my friends and I are upset because our classrooms are G N'’R: ‘Use Your lusion’ - Was It Worth the Wait? By David Miller If there is one rock n’ roll band that has left their mark on the music world, itis Guns N’ Roses. Since the release of their first album, Appetite for Destruction in 1987, Guns N° Roses has risen to the stature of rock n’ roll gods. The songs, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”, “Welcome to the Jungle”, and “Paradise City”, are already considered classics, not to mention, quadruple-platinum album sales. In 1988, the band released an E.P. entitled, Lies. This album sold millions as well with the help of yet another classic song, “Patience”. Due to the astounding success of this band, it’s not surprising that a three year silence has upset millions of fans. However, after repeated setbacks, the new albums, Use Your Illusion 1 and Use Your Illusion 11 were released on September 17th, 1991. This was the first time that any band has released two different albums at the same time. The reaction to this release was so great, that the albums went gold in the Continued on Page 8 dirty with messes left by others’ eating and drinking; so we think food and drinks should not be allowed in classrooms at all. But other kids think this is no big deal or even say they feel it is their right to bring such stuff for themselves to their classes. What do you think about this issue? “In the dumps”(due to dumpster- like rooms) Dear “In the dumps”, The problem and issue you are asking me about are important for many reasons. They involve not only the matter of the kind of “learning environment” we have (or should have) in our classrooms, but also larger questions of our campus environment, and of the difference beetween “rights” and priveleges for students. Strictly speaking, I believe official campus policy prohibits (or atleast strongly discourages) any eating or drinking in classrooms. However, faculty at many colleges and universities feel that their students- being supposedly mature young adults-may be allowed to bring small items of food and/or beverages such as coffee or soda ito class, since doing so may help students stay more alert, feel more relaxed, and thus gain more mentally from lectures, discussioons, etc. during class sessions. And similarly, some of our faculty, including myself, have permitted (or even in some cases encouraged) students to feel they may bring food or beverages to - atleast when the time of day a course meets or other circumstances truly create a need or justification for doing so to enable students to be in the best state to learn. (For example,) I am “legendary” in some circles for giving literature courses “catered” final exams. At which I provide elaborate spreads of food and drinks to help my students through the ordeal of a lengthy, quite comprehensive test on all course material: Students find that both the diistraction and relaxation provided by their eating and drinking, and the “sugar high” of the treats I offer, help them not just endure, but concentrate and do well! However, it must be stressed at once that if and when faculty allow (or encourage) students to consume munchies and liquids while they (presumably) “consume” or digest knowledge, they should make certain that students realize (as I always tell my students) that eating and drinking in classes are priveleges (not “rights”)... and entail responsibilities: all of us- faculty and students alike-are responsible . for keeping classrooms on our (Continued on Page 8)
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