Issuu

Thursday, February 13, 2014

QUIZZES

Are you getting laid tonight? Take this quiz to find out. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE EVENING?

ARE YOU IN A RELATIONSHIP?

NOT SURE

IS THERE ANYONE YOU CAN BOOTY CALL?

YES

HOW WILL YOU LOOK TONIGHT?

YES

DO YOU WANT TO BANG ANY OF THESE FRIENDS?

YES

IS IT FACEBOOK OFFICIAL?

HAVE YOU RECENTLY DONE ANYTHING TO ANGER YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER? A GOOD ONE?

HOT. IT’S THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER ALL

YES

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR SEX LATER?”

“I BET YOU $20 YOU’RE GOING TO TURN ME DOWN”

LOW

WHAT SONG PUTS YOU IN THE MOOD?

“I AM A GOD” BY KANYE WEST

“I’M NO FLINSTONE BUT I CAN MAKE YOUR BED ROCK!”

“PROFESSIONAL” BY THE WEEKEND

HAVE YOU SHOWERED AND/ OR SHAVED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS?

NO WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PICK-UP LINE?

BY MELANIE RICHTMAN mrichtman@mndaily.com

LOW

STAYING IN AND WATCHING NETFLIX

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS

DO YOU HAVE A WING(WO)MAN?

NOTHING SPECIAL

YES

GOING OUT THE THE BARS. HOLLA!

START HERE!

YES

It’s not ver y likely that you’ll be having sex tonight, but it’s also not completely improbable. You give others the impression that you don’t really care (who knows, you could be really hot and this might work in your favor). However, it’s a good idea to bring along a friend in case you end up alone tonight.

LIKELY It seems like your chances of getting it tonight are pretty high. You seem to have a grasp on how you present yourself to potential suitors. You’re smar t enough not to use cheesy pickup lines, so you’re already ahead of most of your competition. Just be charming. If things go well, you won’t be waking up alone.

ZERO The likelihood that you’ll engage in sexual activity tonight might be in the negatives, actually. You might be a really shy shutin, opposed to personal hygiene, or tacky. Reflect on your life, and decide if you wish to live it celibate. If so, congrats! Mission accomplished.

HAVE YOU EATEN ANYTHING WITH GARLIC TODAY?

“WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?” BY YLVIS

LIKELY

ZERO

YES

SURE THING

SURE THING Must be nice to be in a relationship, huh? Your significant other will love you no matter how infrequently you shower. You’ll be getting laid tonight — it’s as inevitable as Seth and Summer’s romance in “The O.C.” Don’t screw this up. And please use protection.

TRAVEL

When lovebirds fly across the sea Navigating the sea of relationships while studying abroad. BY CALLIE SACARELOS csacarelos@mndaily.com

tudying abroad is a great opportunity to experience the world in a new way and lear n about yourself in the process. While each country poses different challenges for students to overcome, dealing with love while abroad is one issue that seems universal. Whether you’re facing time apar t from a longterm relationship, debating whether to break it off before you leave or flying solo, dealing with relationships brings a whole new dimension to your experience. Keeping in touch, staying faithful, jealousy over the other person’s experiences and being threat-

ened by their new life all play into the success of a long-distance relationship. And those who begin their trip unattached may find themselves with a foreign fling that turns into something more.

Yours in the struggle Kara Harms, an advertising and art senior at the University of Minnesota, tried to keep in contact with her boyfriend while she studied abroad in Rome for a semester last spring. But weekend excursions often took her away from her primary tool for contact: her computer. “It’s hard to have cellphones abroad because international calling plans are so expensive,” she said. “It was hard to not talk to him for a week at a time.” Other times, she said it was a struggle to pry herself away when she was enjoying the moment and having fun. “We were experiencing cool new things all the time, and it was hard to go to the computer and Skype,” she

said. “I would even say it felt like something I had to do.” For that same reason, freshman Annika Hanson and her current boyfriend decided to split before they both studied abroad. “It’s really impor tant when you have one year away to become one with that culture and not be held back,” she said. Hanson watched one of her friends on the trip miss out on experiences as he struggled to balance studying abroad with his long-distance relationship. “He would stay back when we’d go out at night. He didn’t want his girlfriend to think he was making out with other girls and she was suspicious of him,” she said. “He was constantly Skyping her. I really didn’t want that.”

Communication is key The basic rules for any relationship apply even more so when it’s long distance. Be clear, open, honest and set boundaries. Schedule times for contact, and don’t disappear for too long.

“Even if it’s just a text that says, ‘I’m still alive. I miss you.’ That’s enough,” Harms said. Harms, who had been dating her boyfriend for one and a half years before leaving, said students should consider if their relationship is worth maintaining in the long run. “I assumed we would make it because we were dating for such a long time beforehand,” she said. “Other wise I might’ve said we should take a ‘Ross and Rachel’ break.” Katie Livingston, an archeology senior, said studying abroad changes ever yone, and the person who stays home needs to be ready for that. “But they should know that they still have a place in your heart, even though you have this huge new experience,” she said.

Happily ever after Another possibility is finding love or even just a

fling while abroad. Hanson met a man in Brazil, and they hit it of f well. But communication became a barrier for the relationship to progress. “I didn’t know how to express myself,” she said. “A relationship is such a vulnerable thing. It’s hard to have it in another language.” Having a stronger connection with her ex-boyfriend brought them back together when she r eturned home, and they’re still together. Chris Lucia went to Venezuela for a year as a single man and expected to return home the same way.

“I hadn’t given it much thought. I figured if I did meet someone, they would be Venezuelan,” he said. “I didn’t go down there looking for my wife.” But even though he wasn’t looking, he found her. Lucia eventually married a Penn State student who came to study there for the second half of the year. “When you’re studying abroad, you’re a group of outsiders, so you end up doing ever ything together. You become really close really quickly,” he said. “We were just lucky enough that we fell in love and were able to make it work.”

A RELATIONSHIP IS SUCH A VULNERABLE THING. IT’S HARD TO HAVE IT IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE >> <<

ANNIKA HANSON student

Thursday, February 13, 2014

VIRGINITY

Students tell their ‘first-time’ stories

op culture perp e t u a t e s th at each tale of lost virginity begins and ends in comic uproar. The Minnesota Daily decided to test this theor y and inter viewed three students about their first sexual encounter.

‘This is my best friend’s car’ University of Minnesota nutrition senior Katie was a 17-year-old junior in high school when she left grass stains in the backseat of her best friend’s car. Katie, her boyfriend, Rob, and their friends were up at a cabin that summer. “It was the typical ‘all your friends go to the cabin and you get really drunk and have a great time,’ ” she said. That night, Katie said, she was outside with Rob when they decided to go for it.

Giving thanks Thanksgiving isn’t the most romantic of holidays. As a sophomore in high school, John, now an economics sophomore at the University, returned to his childhood home in Chicago to see relatives and friends for a large holiday feast. In attendance was an

‘Bro, could you go get her for me?’ Tom is a strategic communications senior who lost his virginity on prom night his sophomore year of high school, even though he missed the dance. Gr ounded the night before, he was unable to attend the premier high school event of the year with his girlfriend, Jessica. When she called Tom from a post-prom party and asked her to pick him up, he was clueless at first.

SEXUALLY ACTIVE STUDENTS 75.6% 72.7% 77.7%

Something snappy Snapchat isn’t exactly the perfect medium for your nudes. BY MEARA CUMMINGS mcummings@mndaily.com

FEMALES

Editor’s note: These are stories from University of Minnesota students whose names were changed to protect their identities and encourage their candor.

old friend he hadn’t seen in a long time. They flirted at dinner, he said, and after she asked if he wanted to hang out and watch a movie. She was a year older, John noted, and had a car, so they ducked out to her house early. The movie, “Harr y Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” star ted — but John didn’t last long. “I was so tired from how much I ate,” he said. In a stroke of pure luck, though, his head fell onto her shoulder during his slumber. Despite having no romantic moments up to this point in their relationship, she took this as a green light and made the move. They didn’t say much the next morning. From then on, when John sits down for turkey and stuf fing, he’s always reminded of that first time. “Nothing too crazy, but Thanksgiving will always remind me of losing my virginity,” he said.

MALES

BY NICOLAS HALLETT nhallett@mndaily.com

They began kissing between two cars when they realized it was far too cold to do the deed outside. That’s when Rob opened the first car door he could get his hands on. A Pontiac Grand Am, owned by Katie’s best friend. Katie objected. A dialogue ensued. Katie: “No, we cannot do this [in her car].” Rob: “Come on, it’s so cold out; we’ve got to do it.” Katie: “This is my best friend’s car. This is so weird.” Rob: “…” Katie: “Whatever, she’ll never know.” But Katie didn’t know about the grass that had accumulated on her backside minutes earlier. The next day, Katie confessed. Her best friend told her it had taken her hours to vacuum away the mess and teases her about it to this day. “I feel like ever ybody’s first time is really weird,” Katie said. “It’s kind of a funny stor y to say my first time was in the back of my friend’s car.” And the sex? “It wasn’t bad, but it’s definitely gotten better since then,” she said.

ALL STUDENTS

The Minnesota Daily asked students about when, where and how they lost their virginity.

NUDIES

SOURCE: 2013 BOYNTON HEALTH SURVEY

“Sorry, sweetie, I can’t,” he explained. “I’m grounded. I can’t use the car.” Serendipitously, Tom’s friend Mike was visiting from the East Coast that weekend and was keeping him company while he was stranded at home. “Then the light bulb went on,” Tom said. “’Bro, could you go get her for me?’” Mike, who Tom hadn’t seen in a year, insisted that he did not want to be a third wheel, but eventually he gave in. “We all hung out for a bit, and to make a long story short, I gave it to her pretty good,” he said. Tom said he was extremely ner vous that he would be bad at sex, so he did plenty of research before the two exchanged Vcards. “I read the Kama Sutra from front to back,” he said. “I was thoroughly prepared.”

nap. Send. Gone in 10 seconds or less. That’s the appeal of the wildly popular app Snapchat. Users have sent hundreds of millions of photos through the app, from the typical unflattering selfie to stuff a little more Xrated. Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy created the app for a school project at Stanford University. While many University of Minnesota students can be seen snapping pics in class, at work and when walking around campus, the app has mainly been marketed to teens, and it has a reputation as a mechanism for sending inappropriate pictures. The Snapchat founders claim they didn’t design the app on that principle, saying one cannot build a business off sexting. They believe the app transcends the immature nature of naughty pictures and creates a way for friends to connect for a moment in time. “I use it because it’s easier to get across emotions by using facial expressions,” said kinesiology freshman Riley Green. “That way, you can just send a picture instead of

having to type out what you’re doing.” Snapchat’s terms state one of the main goals of the app is to have fun. “It adds more of a personal connection to instant messaging,” freshman Karl Hedlund said. But Hedlund said he doesn’t use the app because he’s in a relationship. “I’ve seen too many conflicts in relationships caused by the app,” he said. Recently, the Snapchat database has been having some security problems and was hacked twice. There have also been concerns over spam snaps received by many users, usually nude photos with links to virus-infected websites. This is something the app developers say they are working to fix. For now, many University students use Snapchat as a way to communicate through photo messages that capture just a moment in time before they disappear. Whether it’s an innocent selfie or a raunchy portrait, Snapchat doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

SNAPCHAT FACTS

OF AMERICAN CELLPHONE OWNERS USE SNAPCHAT

$7 MILLION

RAISED BY SNAPCHAT IN VENTURE FUNDING FROM INVESTORS SOURCE: CBS

Thursday, February 13, 2014

WEB RANKS HOTTEST U PROFS

Here’s a list of some the sexiest professors at the University of Minnesota. 1. MELISSA PALMER

BY ROY AKER raker@mndaily.com

Do you ever find your eyes luring during a lecture, or your palms sweating during a tutoring session? You’re not alone. With the help of RateMyProfessors.com, the Minnesota Daily has compiled a list of the sexiest teachers on the University of Minnesota campus. The website allows commenters to rate professors “hot or not.” It awards chili peppers to professors who receive “hot” ratings and calculates a score based on the sum of positive and negative clicks. 1-10 “HOT’ POINTS 11-19 “HOT’ POINTS

20+ “HOT’ POINTS

TEACHING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

2. MICHELLE DRIESSEN

ASSOCIATE EDUCATION SPECIALIST CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

3. STEFANO BLOCH

INSTRUCTOR DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY, ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY

4. KEITH MAYES

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES

5. VANESSA SANTANA

6. HISHAM BIZRI

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL STUDIES AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

7. GIANCARLO CASALE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR HISTORY DEPARTMENT

8. SEHOYA COTNER

TEACHING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

9. BEN DENKINGER LECTURER PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

10. BENJAMIN ANSELL

LECTURER DEPARTMENT OF SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE STUDIES

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SOURCE: RATEMYPROFESSORS.COM

COMEDY

Talking ’bout love with Hannibal Buress A&E gets the scoop on girlfriends, sex and how it ties to comedy with comedian Hannibal Buress. BY JOE KELLEN jkellen@mndaily.com

annibal Buress is, without a doubt, too busy. He’s on Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show” and FX’s “Chozen,” and he’s coming out with a new stand up special in March. Regardless, the comedian doesn’t sweat his schedule, and unlike most of us, he maintains a consistent relationship. So, as tempted as you might be, try not to hit on him when he comes to Minneapolis later this month. A&E caught up with Buress during one of his rare free moments. Here’s what he had to say. Let’s start with one about comedy. I know that, as a comic, you want to joke about relatable things. I’m curious how you feel about sexual and romantic humor — is that realm sort of hack? No, nothing is really hack — it’s just about having your take on it and your personality coming through, you know what I mean? If you have a new take on relationships or people want to hear what you have to say on it, then do it. People are always gonna talk about sports

or food or any of that — it’s not about the subject. It’s about what you bring to it. People relate to relationships, and that’s one reason why it connects so much. People are always in relationships or getting out of relationships or trying to enter a new one; it’s one of the few subjects besides [expletive] ing and eating that most people relate to. Do you have any material about romance? I know you go into more absurd ter ritor y, but you talk about daily life too. I talk about my girlfriend a little bit. I don’t talk about the nuances of our relationship or meeting her or dating, I just kind of talk about her in relation to my health and a trip we went on and different stuff. I’ve talked about that stuff before, but not really in my new material. How is it having a relationship as a comic that tours around? Is it dif ficult to keep it up? She comes with me a lot on the road; it kind of changes the travel experience. I get to be with somebody, and I’m not out drinking as much on the road. We chill out; we might have a couple drinks; we experience the city during the daytime. Sometimes she can’t go with me and has to work, which makes it tough, but then it makes it more exciting when we’re around each other. That must be nice, because a lot of people characterize stand-up as a lonely gig. Early on, just because you travel by yourself, it can be lonely depending on who

AS FAR AS SOCIETY GOES, YOU CAN’T BE CRAZY ABOUT IT. SEX IS HERE, AND IT’S HERE TO STAY! >> <<

HANNIBAL BURESS comedian

you’re working with. But over the past couple years, I always bring opening acts and DJs, so I have some friends with me no matter what. It makes it much better. Do you think your girlfriend has a noticeable effect on your comedy? Some stuff comes from her, or we’ll watch a movie that I think is dumb or something, and stuff that I’m saying during it will end up in my act. She’s around and ends up being a sounding board whether she likes it or not. I’ll try stuff on her and say stuff, just to see how it goes. It’s nice. She’s a funny girl. She’s seen enough of my stand-up to know whether or not it’ll work; she helps me out. That’s nice to hear, because I feel like a lot of comics will posture themselves as unlikable or that they’re unfit for a relationship. Are you the sort of person who goes out and looks for a relationship, or do you let it come more organically? When you meet a person you want to do that with, that’s when it happens, you know what I mean? I don’t think I was looking for a relationship when I met my

girlfriend, but we ended up hitting it off, and it worked out. I guess it depends on the person and where you are at the time and what you want. Why do you think society is so freaked about talking about sex? I don’t think society is freaked out about talking about sex. You don’t think so? No. Even with all the conversations about sex education and sex in the media and people claiming there aren’t any morals in society? I guess that’s a different part of the news that I don’t really pay attention to. (Laughs.) Maybe my world is skewed. I don’t feel that uptightness. I don’t understand it because everybody is here because of sex unless you’re a test-tube baby. I don’t understand why people get uptight about it. We should be fine. It’s also situational — sometimes you don’t want to hear somebody talk about it in a graphic way; it just varies, man. As far as society goes, you can’t be crazy about it. Sex is here, and it’s here to stay! Since you have a girlfriend and you’re a popular com-

PHOTO COURTESY OF HANNIBAL BURESS

Comedian Hannibal Buress spreads the laughter with or without his girlfriend.

ic who’s on TV, do you find yourself getting hit on after shows a lot? I mean, if you’re doing something at a high level, you’re gonna have to deal with that. It’s funny, though — at comedy clubs, it’s mostly couples. If you’re performing and people want to hang out and take pictures, it’s part of the job. Well, somewhat part of the job. Some people want to hang out with you. Do you like to engage with fans after shows? It really depends on the mood and ever ything that

happened during the night. Some nights, I don’t want to go out, and other times, I want to go do shots with fans and hang out. It varies as to where I’m at, just like anybody else.

Hannibal Buress Where The Varsity Theater, 1308 Fourth St. SE, Minneapolis When 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 Cost $25.50-28 Age 18+

Thursday, February 13, 2014

FREEBIES

A student’s guide to free birth control on campus On campus, condoms almost grow on trees, but you gotta know where to look for them.

Most places in Boynton Clinic

WHERE TO FIND FREE BIRTH CONTROL Sanford Hall, Health Advocate

Ther e’s a basket of condoms sitting out in the second floor clinics at Boynton, as well as in most exam rooms. If you’re going in for anything, just grab some. It’s as simple as that.

Wilkins Hall, Health Advocate 17th Avenue hall, Health Advocate

BY KRISTOFFER TIGUE ktigue@mndaily.com

IVE

RSI

TY A VEN

Mondale Hall, bathrooms

UTH

Mondale Hall bathrooms

EAS

Where 229 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis

For all you law, business and ar t students on the West Bank, the Law Students for Reproductive Justice have you covered. They stock all the bathrooms at Mondale Hall with free condoms. Go grab one! Or four (wink).

WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTHEAST SHADE office, most clinics at Boynton Health Service

Comstock Hall, Health Advocate

i siss Mis Ri ppi

Yudof Hall, Health Advocate

ver

othing can ruin the per fect Valentine’s Day date like the morning-after pregnancy scare, and nothing can be more of a buzzkill than finding out a year down the road that you’ve contracted an STD. According to the 2013 Boynton Health Ser vice College Student Health Sur vey, about 70 percent of Twin Cities campus students reported being sexually active in the past year, but only about 61 percent repor ted using a condom the last time they had vaginal sex. While bir th control pills are a highly ef fective method of preventing pregnancy, they don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases and infections. So if you’re planning to have sex tomorrow, especially with someone who isn’t a long-term partner, we recommend using a condom. Here’s a list of places where you can get them for free.

UN NOT ON MAP: University Village, Health Advocate Bailey Hall, Health Advocate (St. Paul) Family Tree Clinic (St. Paul)

Territorial Hall, Health Advocate

Centennial Hall, Health Advocate Frontier Hall, Health Advocate

Pioneer Hall, Health Advocate

Family Tree Clinic

Middlebrook Hall, Health Advocate

Where 1619 Dayton Ave. #205, St. Paul

SOURCE: MN DAILY REPORTING

SHADE office Where N203 Boynton Health Service When 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Sexual Health Awareness and Disease Education is a sexual health peer education group that provides informa-

tion and resources on sex. They also hand out free condoms if you come in during office hours.

Health Advocates A Health Advocate is a student appointed by Boynton Health Ser vice

to act as a health resource for students living in residence halls. Currently, HAs live in the 17th Avenue residence hall, Bailey Hall, Centennial Hall, Comstock Hall, Fr ontier Hall, Middle brook Hall, Pioneer Hall, Sanford Hall, Ter ritorial

Hall, University Village, W ilkins Hall and Yudof Hall. If you live in one of those residences, find out where your HA lives, stop in, say hi and help yourself to a few condoms. Don’t be shy; that’s why they’re there.

Family Tree is a clinic dedicated to sexual health awar eness and access. Besides being able to find you af fordable options for long-term bir th control, they also have free condoms. Duh. If you’re far ther in St. Paul, this may be a good option. Stop in and explore your contraception possibilities.

PROTECTION

Experts rank birth control: Condoms are a standby, and pulling out is risky 3 percent of students were involved in a pregnancy last year, and 40 percent of those were unintentional.

BIRTH CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS

According to Boynton Health Ser vice’s annual student health sur vey, the most common method of pregnancy prevention used by University students in 2013 was condoms, with 45.6 percent of students

IUD

SHOT RING PATCH

6.0%

4.4%

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

FERTILITY AWARENESSBASED METHODS

NUVARING

14.2% WITHDRAWAL

MALE CONDOM

DIAPHRAGM FEMALE CONDOM WITHDRAWAL SPONGE CERVICAL CAP

INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

PILL

1.7% SPERMICIDE SOURCE: 2013 BOYNTON HEALTH SURVEY

SOURCE: PLANNED PARENTHOOD

using them. This is probably because condoms are the most accessible and cheapest option of birth control, Glenn said. Even while using other bir th control methods, condoms should always be used to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, she said. However, Dr. Lisa Mattson, associate director of the Women’s Clinic at Boynton, said that she worries many students, especially international students, may think condoms are their only option.

The pill

42.4% BIRTH CONTROL PILLS

VASECTOMY FEMALE STERILIZATION IMPLANT

CONDOMS

LESS THAN 1 PER 100 2-9 PER 100 15-24 PER 100 ABOUT 25 PER 100

NUMBER OF PREGNANCIES

Condoms

USED BY SEXUALLY ACTIVE STUDENTS IN THEIR LIFETIME

45.6%

BY ALLISON KRONBERG akronberg@mndaily.com

niversity of Minnesota students use a wide array of methods to prevent pregnancy, from none at all to long-term devices. In 2013, about 3 percent of University students were involved in a pregnancy, and about 41 percent of those were unintentional, according to a Boynton Health Service survey. There are plenty of easily accessible methods to avoid pregnancies, with options for every lifestyle. However, birth control method choices are becoming increasingly saturated. Students may not be aware of all of their options, and in 2013, about 5 percent of University students did not use any method of pregnancy prevention the last time they had vaginal intercourse. “I often joke with patients that I wish we were born with a button on our body that we could push and say, ‘OK, I’m ready for pregnancy now,’ ” said Pamela Glenn, a certified nurse midwife with Planned Parenthood, “but unfortunately, we were not.”

PREGNANCY PREVENTION METHODS

About 42 percent of students used bir th control pills in 2013. Glenn said the problem with the pill is that users need to be very organized and regimented, be-

cause the pill must be taken at the same time every day. If used per fectly, the pill is 99 percent successful at preventing pregnancies, but if used imperfectly, that rate drops to 91 percent, she said. Often, phone alarms and apps to remind a user to take their pill can help, but other methods might be better for those who are more forgetful.

Rings and patches Methods like NuvaRing and the patch are attractive because they do not have to be remembered as often, she said. Users only need to remember to replace the patch once a week, and NuvaRings need to be replaced only once a month. The problem with these is that they are sometimes

more expensive and not covered by insurance. “I would love for more women to use these,” Mattson said, “but we need to work with more insurance companies to get them to cover them.”

LARC Newer forms of bir th control, called Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive methods, like implants or intrauterine devices, are gaining popularity and may be a better fit for many students, Glenn and Mattson said. These methods can prevent pregnancy for up to three years, unless removed, they said. These methods can be hormonefree, which allows users to still have a period, or with hormones, which keeps

them from having a period. They are the most ef fective methods of preventing pregnancies. One study by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, called the CHOICE Project, informed women participants of ages 14 to 45 of all bir th control methods and allowed them to choose a method to use for a year, without financial constraints. The study found that, of women using LARC methods, 86 percent were still using the method one year after the study began, while only 55 percent of women using another method were still using that method. The women using LARCs also had the lowest pregnancy methods within the first three years follow-

ing the study and reported the highest rates of satisfaction after one year. But less than 10 percen t o f s tu d en ts u s ed LARC methods last year. This may be due to fears of side effects, Glenn said, because of unreliable products in the 1960s and ’70s that gave IUDs a bad reputation for having serious side ef fects. But today’s IUDs typically only produce cramps and spotting. Only one in 1,000 patients will run the risk of needing to remove their IUD from complication, Mattson said. “I have my own daughter using [an IUD],” she said, “so I must believe it works well.”

Pulling out A much less ef fective method, according to Glenn and Mattson, was much more popular among students this past year: pulling out. Pulling out, which 14.2 percent of students used, is worrisome, Mattson said, because of pre-ejaculation, which can cause pregnancies even if a couple does not have vaginal intercourse. With these imper fections, 27 out of 100 couples using this method alone may have a pregnancy.

Last resorts Emergency contraception, abor tion and bir th ar e options, but all of these have costs, Glenn said. Emergency contraceptives like Plan B OneStep can be effective up to five days after intercourse, but they are decreasingly ef fective over time. Plan B is not an abor tion pill and will not disr upt an existing pr egnancy, she said. “Bottom line: A bir th control method is safer and cheaper than being pregnant,” she said.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

THREESOMES

‘It doesn’t have to be awkward’ University students give advice on how to have a successful threesome. BY ANNE MILLERBERND amillerbernd@mndaily.com

s Valentine’s Day approaches, you might find your-

self wondering what you should get that special someone. Well, why not a threesome? The threesome, if done right, can be a grand old time. But if the proper precautions aren’t taken, it can turn out to be a mess — literally. Psychology senior Saoirse McMahon said threesomes are good for college-age people because students have a cer tain taste for adventure. “At our age, we like to go explore ever ything,”

she said. “But at the end of the day, it’s about consent.” Too often, she said, the distribution of pleasure is uneven. “A lot of times, guys expect threesomes to be about the girls being there to please him,” she said. “In reality, it should be about ever yone enjoying themselves.” Though some students say it’s best for a couple to pick a third party that they don’t know, psychology junior Thomas Earl said

picking based on personality warrants an invitation to a friend. Sociology senior Khang Quach said a past girlfriend wanted to change things up in the bedroom. If you plan on getting into it with two others, he said, being comfor table with yourself is key. “You have to do a lot of personal meditation, figure out who you are and be ver y comfor table with your sexuality,” he said. Earl said threesomes require a bit of creativity

when planning a position. “Just lying on your sides instead of having ever ything being stuf fed on top of each other,” he said. “That way, you can just lay and string it out horizontally.” Quach said another unforeseen obstacle can be a case of the giggles. Giggling during a threesome could mean having to start all over. “It can cer tainly throw of f someone’s game,” he said. If not remedied in time,

Earl said, the giggles can be something of a moodkiller. “The next thing you know, ever ybody’s just rolling in a pile of blankets and nobody’s actually getting anything done,” he said. Though planning and thought should go into a threesome, Earl said, it’s reasonable to expect good times all around. “ J u s t r e m e m b e r, i t doesn’t have to be awkward unless you make it awkward,” he said.

TOP FIVE ROMANTIC RETREATS ON THE ST. PAUL CAMPUS BY VANESSA NYARKO vnyarko@mndaily.com

When you and your boo are in the mood but don’t want the hustle and bustle of Minneapolis, look to the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus. St. Paul should be on your mind when looking for some alone time, as it’s a quiet locale with a serene landscape. There are several places you could do the deed, but choosing certain buildings could increase your fun and lower your risk of being arrested for public indecency. After a thorough survey of the campus, the Minnesota Daily has put together a list of the best places to sneak away.

5. KAUFERT LAB Sneak past secretaries in the lab’s entrance, and you’re in one of the most private places in St. Paul. But beware: Conference room 225 is the only place to avoid the building’s smell.

3. BORLAUG HALL If you enjoy the outdoors, jungles, camping and vegetation, Borlaug Hall is the place — the building is covered in leafy areas and green plants.”

4. MCNEAL HALL For you creative types, a College of Design building is your home. Check out McNeal Hall and its colorful studios for a colorful, discreet hideaway.

2. ST. PAUL STUDENT CENTER Try the theater hidden in the corner by the entrance or the Underground Lounge with its wooden walls and cabin-like feel.

1. MAGRATH LIBRARY The number one place for secret lovemaking in St. Paul has to be Magrath Library. It’s a great place to sneak off for a quickie — it’s much quieter than Minneapolis’ Walter or Wilson libraries.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

ORGASMS

Women and men fake it to make it The sometimes damaging effects of faking an orgasm. BY BLAIR EMERSON bemerson@mndaily.com

aking an orgasm is common, but it has many causes. That said, many people agree that faking it in a relationship has damaging effects on the couple and the individual. But there are ways to avoid this problem, including experimentation and communication. Beatrice “Bean” Robinson, an associate professor at the University of Minnesota, said faking an orgasm is fairly common in people of all ages, but it isn’t advised. “If you’re in a long-term relationship with someone, then it will not contribute to you getting the type of stimulation that you want to get,” she said. About 25 percent of men and 50 percent of women report having faked an orgasm, according to a 2009

article in the Journal of Sex Research. Many of those who repor ted faking said they did so because they didn’t want to hur t their partner’s feelings. But Robinson said faking an orgasm is a shor tterm fix that will only last until one or both partners are dissatisfied. She said faking orgasms is especially apparent in young people, adding that college-age men typically reach orgasm faster and easier than women, who may still be learning how to have an orgasm. Though orgasm-related issues af fect both sexes, Robinson said, women may be receiving pressure more from their partners to achieve orgasm. “I think there are a lot of unrealistic expectations out there for men and women — not only in pornography but in Hollywood,” she said. Goal-oriented models of sexuality are prevalent in media and society, Robinson said. But these aren’t the only ways to have sex, she said, and climax shouldn’t be expected each time. “Sex is often routine; you can’t expect to have a

peak sexual experience every time,” she said. The inability to orgasm can stem from a variety of factors. Samuel Hughes, an of ficer in the University’s Kinky U student group, lists three reasons people can’t orgasm: biological or psychological issues preventing an orgasm, a lack of sexual communication between par tners and a lack of sex education. William Johnson, a teaching assistant and first-year graduate student studying social psychology, wrote a paper last year on men and women pretending to orgasm and found that the Wester n sexual script influences behavior. “It’s a script that dictates that a man will orgasm ever y time,” said Johnson. “[The man] thinks that it’s his duty and his responsibility alone [to make his partner orgasm].” Johnson said having sex with this idea in mind may create a struggle in having a woman reach orgasm. Failure to reach an orgasm isn’t one person’s fault or responsibility — it’s a partner process, he said. Johnson said his research found that increasing communication is more benefi-

cial than blaming one person. In gay and lesbian relationships, Hughes said orgasm-related issues aren’t as common as they are in straight couples. He said for men, it’s hard to conceal an ejaculation. In lesbian relationships, he said, faking orgasms isn’t often necessary because the par tners understand each other’s anatomy and are able to find the clitoris. Inability to orgasm or make a par tner orgasm can be damaging to selfesteem. Hughes said that for men, any erectile dysfunction issues can cause insecurity. But even if someone can’t orgasm, Hughes said that’s OK. “An incredibly awesome sexual experience for me can include no orgasm at all,” he said. For those after a climax, however, there are many ways to get there. For some couples, Hughes said, it’s a matter of tr ying new positions or forms of sex. For others, it’s about communication. “There’s no one size fits all solution,” he said.

UNDERWEAR

BY MELANIE RICHTMAN mrichtman@mndaily.com

e’ve been there. You’re about to hook up with a hottie, and right before your pants come off, you worry about the pair of underwear you have on. Are you wearing a sexy thong ? Or are you wearing a pair you’ve had since high school that says “hot stuf f” on the butt? With so many styles, patter ns and colors, it’s hard to know what’s socially acceptable these days. Curious about what your new lover thinks about your skivvies? I’ll break it down for you.

For girls: Bikini briefs You are conservative and innocent. You aren’t plan-

Dr. Gwar, I recently started dating this guy who’s a little older than me. We were fooling around one night, and I suggested we go further, but he was suddenly really weird and seemed embarrassed. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me (after much hesitation) that he’s a virgin. I was shocked. I haven’t slept with a lot of guys, but I lost my virginity at the end of high school and feel pretty comfortable with my level of experience. I’ve been with guys who were less experienced than me or more experienced than me, but I’ve never encountered this situation before. What can I do? I want him to feel comfortable and safe with me, but I’m not sure how to go about talking about this. —Madonna In Reverse

Madonna, Well, first of all, I have to say that I need more specific details — exactly what she meant when she said “go further” and exactly what sexual activities they’ve enjoyed with each other so far, because I think this girl is going forward with the delusion that humans tell the truth about themselves. His only responsibility in the world is being a lying sack of shit like most men are. Chances that he’s a virgin, I’d say, are practically nil –– it’s just some twisted mind game he’s trying to put on her. Furthermore, I would insist that he show you his penis immediately. The only thing I can think of is that there’s something horribly wrong with his penis. All kinds of shit could be going on down there. Just, before it goes any further, say, “Look, just show me your cock.” If I knew that she’d seen his penis, I’d be able to give her a much better answer. You just don’t go that far in your life without getting laid. It’s impossible. Unless something really fucked up is going on with his dick. So get a picture, show it to me, and then I can help you. —Dr. Gwar

Dr. Gwar,

Your undies, your personality What does your underwear say about you? Nothing good.

DR. GWAR

ning on hooking up with anyone tonight. You have a classic style, and there is a decent chance you’ve been wearing the same underwear for years. Yo u m i g h t t a k e yourself a little too seriously, but you definitely command respect and won’t let just anyone get in your pants (partially because you’re embarrassed about your under wear choice). Thongs You are confident, and confidence is sexy. The lack of fabric indicates that you’re concer ned about visible panty lines, which means you’re self-aware and interested in looking great in whatever you put on. You also probably wear a lot of tight things. Boy shorts Being comfor table is your main priority. Boy shorts give off a chill vibe, but they are also cute, playful and a little bit mischievous. You don’t care what anyone thinks — or if people can

see the outline of your underwear through your pants. Lace There’s no way around it; you know you’re getting laid tonight. You put these on so they’ll end up on the floor of someone’s bedroom. Lace panties are sexy, feminine and a little highmaintenance. They’re not exactly comfortable, but you don’t care. Get it, girl.

love you. Boxers are cool as pajamas, but grow up and buy real underwear. Boxer briefs Congratulations, you’re not the worst. David Beckham wears boxer briefs , so you’re in good company. You might actually know a thing or two about fashion — as long as your boxer briefs are a solid color. Patterns completely negate ever ything I just said.

For guys:

Briefs Yo u ’ r e e i t h e r r e a l l y young or really old. Childr en wear these when they’re being potty trained. Do you want to give your sexual par tner the impression that you’re immature and afraid to grow up? No, you do not. Dads and grandpas can wear these. You cannot.

Boxers Sorr y, but I’m pegging you as an immature frat boy, especially if they’re plaid. If they involve cartoon characters or alcohol references, please immediately throw them into a fire and move back in with your mother, because she is the only woman who will ever

Commando There is a 100 percent chance you haven’t done laundr y in a while. Or you don’t know how to do laundr y on your own and your mother is too busy to do it for you. Follow-up question: When was the last time you cleaned your apartment?

Swimsuit bottoms You’re either drunk, or you really, really need to do laundry. Pull yourself together.

I accidentally slept with my ex. Okay, it wasn’t an accident, but we were both pretty drunk/lonely. I’m ready to let it go, but it seems like she took it really seriously. She’s been texting me a lot and saying we need to talk. I realize I need to do that, but I’m dreading it. What should I say? Am I being a jerk? —Happily Unattached

No Strings, Huh. Well, he contradicts himself immediately. He says it was kind of an accident and then he says it wasn’t an accident; I was drunk. So obviously this guy just makes up excuses until he bangs her and moves on. Basically, I’m saying he’s completely full of shit, because we have no way of knowing what he said to this woman before he plunged his penis into her, you know? He could have told her something completely different, and she has every right in the world to pursue her feelings. She might have very deep, strong feelings for this guy. If he has any worth as a human being, he will take some time to sit and talk with her and figure out what’s going on, and he’ll owe her a great apology if he’s been a jerk so far. [Incoherent screaming, mumbling and spitting] If he said, “Hey, you know what, we’re gonna fuck, it’s gonna be fine, it’s gonna be awesome, it doesn’t affect our friendship at all” — if he said that, it’s cool. Anything else is unacceptable, and I’ll personally go over to his house and rip his genitals off. Dude’s gotta man up and admit exactly what happened. If he’s in the clear, he treated her with respect, then just talk about it and figure out what’s going on. Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea for humans who are friends to have sex with each other because they’re possessive and petty and try to control human beings weaker than themselves and, uh, then they start getting inbred and living way out in the country and have nothing to do but drink vodka all the time and work at the Kwik-E-Mart. It’s no wonder we’re headed toward Idiocracy. —Dr. Gwar

Thursday, February 13, 2014

TIPS

Upgrade your sex life Stuff they don’t teach you in sex ed. BY GRANT TILLERY gtillery@mndaily.com

ex: Ever ybody loves it, but the most experienced of us are probably still pretty inexperienced, and we’re not in touch with what

we want sexually. The way we go about having sex isn’t always so great, either, and one or both parties can end up dissatisfied. We’re not doomed to terrible sex lives — regardless of if you’re in a committed relationship, want hook up with half the campus or dabble in both monogamy and casual sex. First, keep in mind that hooking up at bars and parties is not the only way to go about it.

“One of the best ways to go about [hooking up] is to engage with that person, to talk with them and invite them out to coffee”, Kinky U officer Samuel Hughes said. “As far as the one-night stand thing, do it the next night, when they’re sober and able to consent.” Though rendezvousing to the bar bathroom for 10 minutes of fun is extremely enticing, unless it’s something you know you like and plan on doing, it’s not the best idea.

Feel free to get it after a night out, but know whom you’re hooking up with beforehand. While being with someone you like or know may lead to feelings (and who wants those?), it will likely be much better than a spontaneous, random quickie. Besides, if you know them a bit more, honestly will come more naturally and help you get over your fears of telling people what you want out of sex. Though it’s best done subtly, honesty eliminates any

chance of subterfuge and prevents hurt feelings. Though talking seems unsexy when you’d rather communicate with your body, it won’t ruin the mood if done before the fun begins. Communication is key in several areas. One is discussing anything that will impact sex. Key areas to touch on include STD test results (note: get tested), what the sex is or where it’s going to lead, sexual likes/dislikes and what pleases your partner.

This establishes comfort beforehand, and knowing how to turn each other on leads to awesome sex. Hopefully, it doesn’t sound like all the fun is being taken out of sex, but you can’t just wing it. Sex is not a competition where one person is victorious over another. Sex is a consensual collaboration between two (or more) people. So before you cue the Marvin Gaye, keep this in mind, and you’ll proceed to get it on all night long.

CELIBACY

But who should you NOT sleep with? something — they likely ex- Lab partner finds out, and then you’re Professors Baristas and The Daily pect something in return. both embarrassed/fired. This is just common No matter how attrac- cashiers asked students No matter how many tive they are, your grade They’re fun to flirt with Goldy Gopher for their advice sense. chili peppers someone has on Roommate depends on them. It’d be while you’re getting your on who to avoid RateMyProfessors.com, he No amount of alcohol will wise to wait until the class No one wants to see Goldy morning latte, but your conor she is probably married. ever make this OK. It’s great is over. emotional. If you’re responin the bedroom. If you do fall in love with a to experiment, but not with tact should end there. If you sible for that pain, then there

BY VANESSA NYARKO vnyarko@mndaily.com

here are certain people who are immediately a mistake after you sleep together. But if you know which types of people are most likely to become mistakes, you can easily predict how to avoid a catastrophe if the horizontal tango is involved. After extensive interviews with University of Minnesota students, the Minnesota Daily has compiled a list of who you should always avoid.

Best friend’s significant other It’s common knowledge you shouldn’t involve yourself with any of your best friends’ past flames if you want to keep the title of best friend. “That’s too messy. Why would you want someone’s sloppy seconds, anyways?” said anthropology sophomore Sunday Thuok . Unless you want to remain No. 2 to your bestie or be Eskimo sisters or brothers with your best friend, avoid this.

University employees Don’t mess with University Dining Services workers. But if you do and it doesn’t work out, remember that they control your food. Campus Connector drivers and security escorts are also offlimits.

professor, at least make sure you’re not in their class so you don’t breach any University policies.

the person who shares your room. It will eventually get awkward, and someone will have to move out.

Tinder match

Exes

While browsing T inder , you may meet that one nice guy or girl. But they’re going to expect sex. It doesn’t matter if your match takes you to Fogo de Chao or buys you

You have to get over this person, and having sex with them is not going to help. “You’ll get stuck on them again,” said Sara Brook, a freshman nursing major.

Your roommate’s significant other This is dif ferent from your best friend’s boyfriend or girlfriend, because you actually live with this person. If for some reason, you end up alone with your roomie’s SO, leave the room before any sexual tension arises.

sleep together and things don’t work out (likely, seeing as you don’t know anything about this person beyond their espresso-making prowess), then you’ll have to find a new favorite coffee shop.

Co-workers Late nights at the office don’t need to tur n into late, late nights. The whole of fice always

are going to be a lot of Gophers fans out for you.

Best friend He’s not really your “bro,” and it doesn’t matter if she likes football — this is destined to be weird no matter how many movies and books say it won’t be. “You can never go back,” said psychology junior Hayden Lim Joon.

Thursday, February 13, 2014

MENSTRUAL ART

Painting with period blood Artists combat stigma with Menstrala. BY EMILY EVELAND eeveland@mndaily.com

t’s all fun and games until blood star ts dripping from our vaginas. Just the word ”menstruation” is enough to make a lot of men cringe, zip up their pants and head for the door. It’s no wonder menstrual cycles and shame so often go hand-in-hand. But a recent wave of artists isn’t having it. Menstrala, the practice of making art with menstrual blood, is all about removing the stigma and shame attached to “that time of the month.” Instead of tossing their blood-soaked tampons in the trash, women are using their blood as paint, lipstick, dye and watercolors. This week, A&E touched base with artist Jennifer Weigel of St. Louis, Mo. Weigel has created a number of pieces with menstrual blood, in addition to other bodily fluids. This month, “Pieces of Jennifer Weigel” and a selfportrait will be featured at the Minnesota Center for Book Arts in Minneapolis. “Pieces” involves vials containing bits of Weigel’s skin and toenail clippings that viewers are invited to purchase and take

home. If that’s not your thing, maybe Weigel’s menstrual blood art will be. How did you get the idea to start making art with menstrual blood? I was making work about menstruation before I started actually using blood in them, and they always felt kind of insincere to me, like I was avoiding the topic, in a way. The first ones that I did were the menstruation series and I created those by placing my menstrual vagina on paper, just directly. They’re from 2005. In regards to some of the other bodily fluids, I think that evolved out of the use of blood. Artists have been using various bodily fluids in their work for centuries. Do you think the same was done with menstrual blood, or is this more of a recent trend? It seems to be a pretty new phenomenon. [The] ‘70s is when it started. There are several women who are making monthly paintings with their monthly cycles — that’s not uncommon. I’ve known several women who have made similar paintings to the first ones I did, when I just pressed my menstrual vagina to paper, as a means of recording what they thought was going to be their last period when they were entering menopause.

Is the temporary nature of the menstrual cycle part of what attracts you to the medium? I don’t know if it necessarily is. I’ve been using it as a means of exploring other aspects of myself. I do a lot of work about menstruation and female reproductive health in order to break the stigma surrounding it and demystify that natural function of the body. How does making art with menstrual blood break that stigma? For me, I see it as very direct and open — like this is what’s happening … I think using the actual period blood has a real sense of personhood to it. I think it helps spawn and spark conversations that might not otherwise happen. Can you tell me more about some of the pieces you’ve created with menstrual blood? It’s a ver y difficult medium to work with. I created a piece called “Death Sentence.” It was very prochoice and was examining some of the events that had been happening in El Salvador. It became sort of this pregnant, ghost-like form who essentially has her own story that I’ve made up about her. [She’s] gang-raped, beaten and then she became pregnant from the incident.

I was re-exploring that particular piece and had acquired a bunch of rubber fetuses that some pro-life advocates hand out outside of abortion clinics to women seeking abortions. I was reappropriating those in my art in conjunction with this specific piece, and the second piece that I did incorporating my menstrual blood used one of those fetuses in a jar with actual menstrual blood. I have another one that I did for an art show in San Francisco called “The Goddess Within” where I collected my menstrual blood over the course of my period, suspended it in an acrylic gel medium and painted a portrait with it. What about menstr ual blood makes it difficult to use? I discovered when I was painting with it and when I was using it with the fetus that it was the tendency, because it’s blood, to clot. For that reason, you can’t convey a lot of detail with it. [For the blood on paper], the blood had star ted to flake off the surface because it won’t stick to the paper. There’s no real connection to the paper fibers. I would recommend anyone trying to work with the medium to varnish it. Plus, it doesn’t retain its color. It browns. The longer you’re working with it, just due to the na-

PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNIFER WEIGEL

Menstrala is the practice of using menstrual blood to make art.

ture of decaying material, it actually starts to smell, so it’s a little bit more challenging. Is there anything else you want to say about stigma around menstruation and how art helps transcend that? I tr y to use my artistic practice to start conversations about things. I think by using menstrual blood in my work and making work about menstruation, it helps put things more out in the

open that people don’t otherwise necessarily talk about — not because there’s no interest, but because it’s seen as improper. Some of the most insightful responses you can find can come from the people you least expect. By helping break down the stigma and start people conversing about things, they realize the myths that are associated with them –– the little myths and untruths and ideas –– and reevaluate them.

Thursday, December 6, 2012