Resident Assistant Kara Safran decided the women of eighth floor Knotts Hall would benefit from a sex education program.
But these cautions about safe sex practices may have come a little late for some.
According to statistics from the Ball State University Health Education Department, one in four women contract a sexually transmitted infection before entering college.
A senior human resources major, Safran said she tried to cater to the needs of her residents.
"There's always gossip on the floor," she said."From the personality of the girls, I tried to find a program to meet the needs of the floor."
Health Educator Julie Sturek opened the presentation Monday night with an icebreaker that she said "really gets students talking."
Residents were asked to take one or two items from a shoebox and explain how they could be used for safer sex. Items ranged from female condoms to Vaseline to Diet Coke.
She said Vaseline is not a good choice for lubrication because it is oil-based and can cause a condom to break. Douching with Diet Coke to prevent pregnancy is nothing more than a myth.
Freshman Erin Tolliver said she learned a lot from the presentation.
"It was interesting," she said. "A lot of those things, I didn't know how to use them."
After the ice breaker, fifth-year psychology intern Cody Commander presented current sex statistics about Ball State students. He said the impression of sexual health on campus is lower than the actual numbers. Commander is working as a peer health educator at the Counseling Center to fulfill his internship credit.
"Years ago, talking about sex with clients was awkward, but now I've been desensitized from it," he said. "[Audience members] are more awkward than I am."
Senior Felicia Blare also contributed to the presentation by explaining symptoms and prevention for the three most common STIs: human papillomavirus, chlamydia and genital herpes.
"[My job] is assuring because I have the knowledge, and it feels like I'm doing something and helping others," she said.
Sturek wrapped up the presentation with an activity that discussed the relative risk of sexual practices.
"The girls were very interactive; they were a good group," Sturek said.
She said Vaseline is not a good choice for lubrication because it is oil-based and can cause a condom to break. Douching with Diet Coke to prevent pregnancy is nothing more than a myth.
Ball State STI statistics from National College Health Association Assessment as of March 2009
* 64 percent have had zero or one sexual partner in the last year
* 57 percent use condoms during vaginal sex
* 27 percent reported having unprotected sex while under the influence
* 25 percent use condoms during anal sex
* 25 percent of freshmen have contracted an STI before coming to college
* 5 percent use condoms during oral sex
Three most common STIs at Ball State:
1. HPV
2. Chlamydia
3. Genital herpes
Where to get STI testing:
* Ball State Health Center
* Open Door Health Center in Muncie
* Delaware County Health Department
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