Sex a laughing matter, says upcoming CHOICE panel

Sarah Farr Guest Writer

The Campus Health Organization for Information, Counseling, and Education (CHOICE) is planning an event that hopes to get Vassar talking about sex. On Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. in Rocky 200, the organization will hold a panel entitled “Sex: It is a Laughing Matter.”

According to President of CHOICE Jeff Warner ’06, this will include Director of Health Services Irena Balawadjer, Director of Health Education Michelle Soucy, House Advisor Aaron Gurrly, and VSA representative to the Student Wellness Advisory Committee Austin Clark ’08.

According to Warner, the goal of the panel is to “break down the walls that many people put up in speaking about sex and sexuality in a frank and fun manner.” The panelists will be open to answering all questions that students want to ask.

“The panel will be structured in a question and answer session, with a few fun interruptions in the middle,” said Warner. The panel also hopes to open up discussion about sex on Vassar campus. According to Warner, “No one should be embarrassed to talk about issues that are so important for all of our lives.” CHOICE wants to discourage the embarrassment related to discussion of sex through this activity.

The CHOICE office is tucked away in the Jewett basement. CHOICE Secretary Betsy Wieand ’08 said that she heard about the organization when visiting Vassar and thought it sounded like a “really worthwhile organization.” She believes that giving students information and options is the responsible action to take, as opposed to an abstinence only view.

In an e-mail interview, Warner wrote, “CHOICE is a group of confidential peer educators that provide information about sexual health and responsibility to the campus. We also distribute safer sex supplies—condoms, dental dams, lubricants, and more—to the Vassar Community at no charge.”

CHOICE is committed to safe sex and provides students with supplies and information about sex and STI’s. The staff is required to know about STI’s, different ways to deal with them, and they can provide contraceptives. CHOICE also has many resources and fun activities such as movie nights, films, and books.

CHOICE meets every other Sunday, which everyone is welcome to attend. Any student can help with various events and volunteer to work office hours, which CHOICE provides training for. The office is open to students Tuesday through Saturday. CHOICE can be e-mailed at choice@vassar.edu.