{ title: 'The Spectrum (Buffalo, N.Y.) 1955-current, September 28, 1979, Page 2, Image 2', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-09-28/ed-1/seq-2/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-09-28/ed-1/seq-2.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-09-28/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/np00130006/1979-09-28/ed-1/seq-2/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: University at Buffalo
Study explores shifting environmental attitudes yStudent run } Sex Ed Center offers advice g ’ /;\ ■ r ••• 4 * • 4 ; ‘ ' ••• * •• v j counseling, referral services * Editor’s note: The Spectrum ’s Marc Sherman, a research assistant in the Environmental Studies -Center, details an international survey on environmental attitudes. The UB Center is- heading up the American contribution. by Llsfl D’Amico \ Spectrum Stuff Writer I y Present Director of the Birth Control Clinic Elisc Hoffman noted, “All of our doctors at the Clinic have been screened 'by the Sex Ed staff before they work for us. They are gynecologists who > meet high standards of quality i patient care and share the Center’s attitudes and .beliefs concerning sexuality, birth control, and II f women’s health issues. \l Located in Michael Hall, the I Birth Control Clinic operates in M conjunction witjh the Sex Ed B I Center. While there is no fee for the * 1 Sex Ed Center, there is a slight \ I charge for the non-profit Birth a A I Control Clinic to cover ■ I . I • expenditures. IIS The Clinic has a full line of birth I | r control products available to men ■ ■ ■ a nd women at reduced rates. Before provide support for choices that the going to the Clinic for prescribed individual makes. Aside from the forms of birth control, a woman or short-term counseling that the couple must visit the Sex Ed Center Center provides, there is also a for counseling. The private twenty carefully screened referral service, to thirty minute session enables the The “no lecture, but support for counselor to obtain a health history choice” philosophy practiced at the > and to fully inform the individual Center, Christensen said, extends to of all methods of birth control, the places one might be referred. “The Birth Control Clipic is run “The services provided are perhaps on as personal a level as possible,” the best in the area because the explained Hoffman. “Our patients counselors are cqipathetic. They don’t have to spend unexpected themselves encounter problems hours waiting to see a doctor and similar to those of their peers,” said unlike a doctor’s office, our fees are Christensen. » , , low.” Christensen commented, by Marc Sherman Environmental Editor I I Strategically located in the heart of the student union and supported by mandatory student fees and a staff of well-trained volunteers,, the Sex Ed Center offers the UB community a host of pertinent services in any area of human sexuality: birth control methods for men and women, transsexuality, a support group for unwed mothers, gay counseling, and abortion referral. ' 1 60 people believe pollution can be cleaned up? Does the public place its hopes for a better life on technology or on voluntary lifestyle changes? Do people trust industrialists? The UB .Environmental Studies Center (ESC), under the auspices of ESC Director Tester Milbrath, is seeking to clarify these attitudes through a national survey. Milbrath believes many people are changing their perceptions of “how the world works,” cspcially in light of high energy prices, Milbrath sees a noticeable shift from the perception of nature as a force to be conquered to a life-support system needing careful management. Yet Milbrath warned that “conditions will very likely get much worse before people recognize the environmental predicament we’re in.” He dteef the Love Canal and Three Mile Island as tragedies that shock people (including “experts”) into realizing the vulnerability of modem industrial society. The ESC study i? funded by the Sdence Center in West Berlin, which is conducting its own study as well as funding a survey in England. The massive cross-national study is “not merely a public opinion poll,” according to Acting Project Director Jeff Coopersmith, who is assuming responsibility for the study while Milbrath is on sabbatical. “The entire study should bring into perspective the views of citizens, government officials, business leaders, media representatives, and environmentalists concerning both real and perceived environmental problems,” Coopersmith said. He explained that there is often a profound gap between public opinion and the beliefs of government officials. ESC’s national Survey is on preliminary testing at UB last Spring and -Summer. Last March, joO undergraduate students answered a survey that showed preferences such as self-actualization and public service over wealth. In accordance with a growing belief among environmentalists, those students sampled saw compatibility between environmental protection and economic growth. * “The Center has something to offer everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation,” said the Center’s director, Ellen Christensen. She added, “College students today are definitely more informed than previous generations. However, many myths about sex still exist.” With twelve years experience in the field of sex education, Christensen and the staff of counselors strive toward, dispelling the sexual mystique in the genial atmosphere of the Center. The male and female counselors are student volunteers who have undergone an intensive training program taught by professionals from the community before being certified. This teaching collective is comprised of,. doctors, social workers. Health educators, and psychiatrists. Apart from the teaching, there is also ‘in service’ training which occurs monthly. Christensen stressed that, in essence, the Center “disseminates information” and “provides support.” The conseiors are there primarily to consult with and to The study was refined and sent to 25 percent of UB faculty, staff and administrators. Yet occupation, age, and sex made virtually no difference on the responses. Most respondents placed a much higher trust in environmentalists and scientists —rather than industrialists—for solving environmental problems. At a University overflowing with long lines and applications, many find it refreshing that the Center operates simply pn a walk-in basis. “The gynecologists that work in our clinic are willing to spend time with a woman—responding to any questions.” Assistant Project Director Martha Cornwell noted that initial findings from (he UB survey indicated that “citizens would be willing to vote outside of their political party or change their party affiliation because of their strong feelings concerning environmental issues.’,’ However, Coopersmith and Cornwell warned that the UB results could not be generalized to the American public. “It is thought that the University community participates more in politics than the general they said. ) . A Hr.:/ j Counselors are readily available and there are five private rooms in which to speak. In addition, the Center has a small browsing library of topical books and journals. The Center has two locations, one on the Main Street Campus at 261 Squire Hall (831-5422), and the other in 115 Porter on the Amherst Campus (636-2361). jifciu laOi.'t j K l a IL\ ,. v THIS nin»ox <>OOI> I OK I IV v miMiiMifejj. : i 11 A\nAi2oz.son i»ia\H I ■ ■ | ., f ' ilHk|MB Mrk; M - Jin ■ j[jf . 'jggr 'i!. iTiKoxLim.sa I | lit flT ., ■ I Good only at participating Wendy's | V\ Mov n of be used in combination GSJ | '-' ~T~-' .. v -T. 1 — — i ! H— — 1 iiOOIft FOK xni ikii:s. in ma\K ». dys I ii 1 i mm OLD fAtMlOmo Dllji tO ncucifji > •S?CM Golden Palace ■ ■■ v- AUTHENTIC CHINESE CUISINE DAILY LUNCHEON SPECIALS • DINNER • COCKTAILS • BANQUETS TAKE HOME SERVICE MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Mon-Thur 11:30 am-10 pm Frl 11:30 am-11 pm Sat 2 pm-11 pm Sun 1 pm-10 pm 833-2270 3488 SHERIDAN DR. AMHERST, N Y. “On Sheridan between SweetHomo and Milfersport Hwy\ L ■. 10% discount with student ID- T
