Shelly Sloan is the Health Promotion Coordinator and Ted Winkworth is the Alcohol and Other Drug Program Coordinator. You can find them at The Lifestyles Center in Mary Walker Health Center. Shelly received her Master’s Degree in Community Health Education and is a certified Health Education Specialist. Ted received his Master’s Degree in Counseling and is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor.
Dear Shelly and Ted,
I heard I can get the morning after pill on campus. Is that true?
Signed,
Anxious After
Dear Anxious After,
I guess my first question would be, why do you need the morning after pill (or Plan B)? If it was because the condom broke, that is one thing, but Plan B should be used as a back up to contraception, not in place of contraception.
Now that we have that clear—yes, Plan B is available on campus! If you come in to Mary Walker Health Center, ask for Roxann and she can help you out. The cost at Mary Walker Health Center is $20.
Plan B is also available off campus through Oswego County Opportunities. OCO has Health Educators who travel across Oswego County to bring things like Plan B, condoms, dams and lube right to your door (or mutually agreed upon meeting place—even the McDonalds parking lot!). It may sound super sketchy, but it is totally legit. If you need to reach them, you can call 315-342-0888 ext. 3 during the day or you can call or text their cell phone number 315-297-5757. All of OCO’s “curbside” services are the best price: FREE!
Sincerely,
Shelly
Dear Shelly and Ted,
I think one of my friends might have been sexually assaulted. I am kind of ashamed to say it, but I am not really sure what that means. Can you help me understand?
Signed,
Concerned Friend
Dear Concerned Friend,
A sexual assault happens when a person does not give their consent for the act to happen. Only sober, of legal age (17 in New York State) and conscious people can give consent. If a person is too young, too drunk (or passed out) or of mental defect, they cannot give consent and anyone who has had sex with them has, under the legal definition, committed a rape.
A few things to remember about consent:
It is not a blanket statement. Consent must be given each time and for each activity.
Any person has the right to change their mind and withdraw consent at any time.
A prior sexual history between the participants does not constitute consent.
I hope that your friend knows that there is a variety of services for them too. Off-campus: Services to Aid Families is a great resource that can support or be with victims for everything from evidence collection to being an advocate in court. On campus: students can access services from the Counseling Center, Walker Health Center, University Police, Judicial Affairs as well as our Title IX Investigator (Marta Santiago) and Title IX Coordinator (Howard Gordon). If you would like more information, please feel free to contact the Lifestyles Center at x5648.
Sincerely,
Shelly
Dear Shelly and Ted,
I am new on campus and don’t know where to go to meet new people. Is there a place where I can go to find out about clubs on campus?
Signed,
Lonely Freshman
Dear Lonely Freshman,
Of course! Figure out what interests you and seek out friends with those same interests!
Visit The Point in 131 Campus Center, the home to clubs and organizations on campus. You can also make friends by participating in intramural sports through Campus Recreation or even apply for a job by visiting the Student Employment Office in 206B Culkin Hall. The Lifestyles Center in Mary Walker Health Center is always looking for Peer Educators too! No matter what your interests are, there are many opportunities to be involved on campus!
Sincerely,
Shelly
If you have a question you can submit anonymously at www.lifestylecenter.net/RealTalk or send a Direct Message on Twitter @LSC_Oswego
