1996_09 Insight September 1996

              JjfeStyle
SEPTEMBER 18. 1996 I
College students making condoms required material
I Researchers say
safe-sex message
getting through
by Irene Marin
Staff Writer
Condom use has become more
common among college students
since the discovery of the AIDS virus
in the early 1980s.
In a recent study conducted at
Brown University in Rhode Island researchers concluded, "for some students, the message that a condom can
help prevent the spread ofthe Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the
virus causing AIDS, seems to have
definitely hit home." **
According to the study, as AIDS
became more publicized, the number
of students using condoms increased.
Rayann Hernandez, a communicable disease specialist for the Fresno
County Health Department, said one
in every 200 persons is HIV-positive.
Hernandez said that most of these
cases are unreported.
You never know
"Since anyone can seem perfectly
normal [they may not know] they are
carrying the virus causing AIDS,""
Hernandez said, "il takes about eight
to 10 years before a person can feel
the symptoms affecting the immune
system."
For many, condoms are the cheapest way to go when it comes to protection. Condoms cost 20 cents each
at the Student Health Center.
Hernandez says condoms are effective in preventing unplanned pregnan
cies and sexually transmitted diseases, including the AIDS.
Human Error
Although some insist that condoms
break because of manufacturing
flaws, a recent Consumer Reports
study of condom reliability indicated
that every latex condom produced in
the United States is checked for defects before packaging.
Sam Gitchel, health educator for
Ihe University Health and Counseling Services at Fresno State, said the
most common reason for condom
failure is incorrect use.
Common problems are fingernail
snags, unrolling the condom before
using it and using oil-based lubricants
such as petroleum jelly or whipped
cream, which contains condom-destroying animal fat
In testing, oil-based lubricants have
been proven to produce holes in latex condoms.
Nonoxynol-9
Gitchel said lhat condoms manufactured in the United States and Japan are usually better quality.
Thc Federal Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends latex condoms with the
spermicide nonoxynol-9 to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The CDC reports that nonoxynol-
9 has been proven to kill sperm and
microbes, including HIV.
Hernandez said people are more
aware of the AIDS virus now compared to five years ago.
According to the Urban Institute's
National Survey of Adolescent Males
(NSAM). HIV has been the leading
Photo lllu.tration by Ryan McKm
Sex in the 90s can be dangerous. With increased awareness about AIDS, mora college students are using condoms.
n ages 25-
The average age of the 944 reported AIDS cases in Fresno ranges
from 24 to 34.
"People who contracted AIDS during their teens are just beginning to
develop the symptoms," Hernandez
said.
NSAM researchers have called for
more effective strategies to reach
teenagers and change their behaviors
about using condoms.
Teenage embarassment
"Efforts need to be designed to help
teenagers deal with their embarrassment and their concern about the reduced sensation associated with
condoms," reported NSAM.
According to The Playboy College
Sex Survey in the October issue ofthe
men's magazine, college students are
having longer, monogamous and
more sexually creative relationships
and many of them are trying to practice safe sex.
The survey concluded lhat 90 percent of college students are sexually
active.
The report also asserts that more
than one-third of college students
have been tested for HIV. But 66 per
cent of the women and 49 percent
of the men surveyed said they
would not change their sex lives if
AIDS suddenly disappeared.
AIDS testing
The University Health and
Counseling Services provides free
anonymous AIDS testing at the
Student Health center every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m.
ZZZAAP! Gotcha!
— Lazer Tag a hit
by George Smith
Staff Writer
Sweat beaded down Derek
Taylor's face. Armed with a lygh-
powercd weapon, Taylor was ready
for anyone who dared to come after
him.
Suddenly, a noise caught his attention. Taylor kept his cool, staying low
as he was taught, not moving a
muscle until the time was just right.
Then the moment arrived.
It was time to attack.
Thc spry 8-year-old jumped out of
his dark comer and launched a devastating laser beam at his opponent.
The victim heard his vest say the
magic words, "energy drained."
Taylor's team was victorious.
No. this isn't yourrun-of- the-mill
war story. These are the adventures
at Lazer Tag. the hottest new entertainment enterprise to hit Fresno
since the dance floor was introduced.
Lazer Tag is relatively new to the
Valley, opening in February in the
Times Square shopping center on
West Shaw Avenue.
"This place can turn you from Dr.
Jekyll to Mr. Hyde rather quickly,"
said Assistant Manager Richard
Fischenich. "The games are always
different and it's very addicting."
The object of Lazer Tag is simple:
Try not to get shot and obtain as many
points as possible.
The players are equipped with fiber-optic vests, matching laser guns
and a 2,500 square foot maze to play
in.
Employees explain the rules ofthe
game in the Briefing Room, then it's
off to the maze for a 20-minute free-
for-all or team competition.
"People really get into it,"
Fischenich said. "It doesn't matter
how old you are. This game is for
everyone, including the students at
Fresno State who want to settle a
grudge or an argument in a fun way.
It becomes extremely competitive.
"A certain level of fear does play
into it"
Scores are kept by computer. If the
computer thinks the mission was sue-
cminsfiilNnr'fs
"Boring , untrue, and irrelevant?"
Comew
COURSE,"
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WHEN: Wcdnaday.
Luncheon! Sen,ors): 1
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4147 E.
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:00-2:45p.m.
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Work Study Award Through Financial Aid Preferred. Hourly Wage Neg.
kMtghtPrwtobySvMPi
In an after-hours game, John Cunningham is put in a tight squeeze
between brothers Ryan Marret (left) and Mark Marret (right)
cessful, it ranks the player as "Master Sergeant" If not it hands out some
rather disparaging remarks.
The statistics kept by the computer
include how many times players are
hit. and their shooting percentages.
The vest allows hits to the chest,
back and shoulders. When hit, players stay inactivate for 10 seconds so
they can find a new place to plan a
different strategy.
"All kinds of groups come here,"
Fischenich said. "Church groups.
birthday parties, you name it. We'll
even let you rent the place out if you
want."
Games cost $3.50 per person, Monday through Friday, and $5 after 5
p.m. Cm weekends, the price is $6.
Tournaments are also big at Lazer
Tag, where you can win a free trip to
Mexico or Hawaii.
"We're way past the stick-gun
fights we used to have in the backyard, " said Fischenich. "We have a
lot to offer here."
eAreYoua
Proud
Nerd?
If you think measuring a potato chip
is more exciting than waiting in line
at the finacial aid office, tell us!
Insight will be featuring students
' who think being nerdy is cool!
278-2892
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All
On-line calendar
guide to events
by Tiffany Massey
Staff Writer
A one-stop source of Valley
events on the Internet has been
made possible by the Central Valley Internet Project and the Department of Theater Arts. The two
offices have teamed up to produce
ONCE, an on-line calendar of
events for the City of Fresno on
the World Wide Web.
The goal of ONCE is to provide
the community with a scheduling
and marketing tool as well as give
the public access to complete
event information on-line. The
public can access the web site 24
hours a day. Thc service is free to
bolh event planners and consumers.
ONCE, funded by the School
of Arts and Humanities, was developed by Pamela Dyer, business
and promotions manager of the
Theatre Arts Department.
The inspiration came to her one
weekend when several events she
wanted to attend were scheduled
at the same time. She thought that
if Fresno had a calendar of events
everyone could access, scheduling
problems such as these wouldn't
occur. Dyer and her student assistant, Chris Volkcrts, worked nonstop to prepare for the July 31
premier.
ONCE is unique because it allows promoters to submit their
own events via e-mail, regular
mail, fax or over the phone.
"Anyone can send in an event,
but only certain groups can register an event automatically". Dyer
said.
Categories include performing
arts, sports and "miscellaneous
merriments." There are plans to
add a section just for Fresno State
events.
The calendar lists thc location
and time of the events and price
of tickets.
Some of the events listed on
ONCE have links to their own web
pages.
"The Theatre Arts Department
has given us the room, computers
and phone lines and my time was
donated," Dyer said.
"Computing Communications
and Media Services and the Central Valley Internet Project donated
the web space."
ONCE can be accessed on thc
World Wide Web at http://
www.fresno.com/once.
Magdolna M. Muller, N.D., CM J.
S3S)°D(S®§)
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'      Informational Meetings:    N
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.   Every Thursday from 2 pm - 3 pm
Every Friday from 11 am -12 pm
^All meetings are held in Old Music 184,
For more information contact Carla Millar, London Semester Office
CSU Fresno, Music Bldg., Rm 186, or call (209) 278-3056.    ~)