College Clips
Published Sept. 22, 2006
Kent State students like friends with benefits
Many students at Kent State University see merit in having friends with benefits — the idea of a relationship that is physical, without any emotional attachment to the other individual.
"Those students who might be averse to participating in traditional relationships might resort to being friends with benefits," said Laurie Wagner, a part-time human sexuality instructor. Wagner also suggests that people who value commitment might partake in this type of relationship.
"They may be saving the full aspect of a relationship for someone they really care about," she said. "It's a way of meeting their sexual needs without being with the wrong person."
But Kent State student Andrew King said friends with benefits are insensitive and harmful to the persons involved.
"Being friends with benefits seems immature," said Andrew King, who was in a friends-with-benefits relationship in high school. "That stuff is meant for marriage and serious commitments, not casual relationships. Friends aren't supposed to act in that way."
— Daily Kent Stater (Kent State U.)
Maryland to test drug to kill nicotine buzz
Nine universities across the country, including the University of Maryland, will participate in a trial of a new shot that is intended to prevent smokers from feeling the effects of nicotine to help them quit.
"When you smoke a cigarette, nicotine comes in and releases a surge of dopamine as a reward," said Elbert Glover, a professor of public and community health who is heading the trial.
The vaccine, NicVax, is designed to prevent nicotine from entering the brain, which should help make cigarettes less addicting. The study will only include people classified as heavy smokers. There are 250 volunteers who have signed up to be given several random shots of the vaccine or a placebo.
— The Diamondback (U. of Maryland)
Safety officials say asbestos not a threat
According to Ohio University Environmental Health and Safety administrators, the asbestos used as insulation in some Ohio University residence halls is not an immediate danger to the students because of state- and U.S.-regulated maintenance.
But there are concerns among students who were warned at a hall meeting about the asbestos in the walls after they moved in.
"A lot of people had already used thumbtacks in the walls, and now I'm concerned about it," said Melissa Hornor, a resident of a hall that contains asbestos.
Terry Richardson, the environmental safety coordinator at Environmental Health and Safety at the university, said using the pins does not pose an immediate danger to students, but drilling holes could cause a problem.
"Asbestos maintenance happens on almost a daily basis. We have a crew that is professionally trained to maintain only asbestos," said Charles Hart, director of Environmental Health and Safety at Ohio University.
"The only way the students would be impacted would be if they entered a restricted area with signs advising for authorized personnel only," Richardson said.
— The Post (Ohio University)