Shape

NEWS!
The Female O Program held on Feb. 15th was a huge success! Read all about it in the Columbia Missourian and The Maneater:
Missourian Article
Maneater Article

Visit: http://www.sexualityeducation.com/femaleorg/ for more information.

What is SHAPE?

    SHAPE is a peer education program that encourages students to learn about the many aspects of sexual health and promotes respect, responsibility and integrity in relationship to self and others.

     SHAPE promotes safer choices to reduce health risks associated with sexuality, such as using condoms, birth control, abstinence, and avoiding being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

     Who are SHAPE Peer Educators?
SHAPE peers are undergraduate students who receive extensive training in sexual health topics and presentation skills. CLICK HERE to meet the SHAPE peers!

     What does SHAPE do?

  • Programming: Peer educators present on issues such as STDs/HIV prevention, healthy relationships and birth control options. They also collaborate with other peer groups to provide educational activities on campus. See below "How do I request a SHAPE program, and what should I expect?"
  • Resources: SHAPE provides pamphlets, articles, websites, and other information to promote healthy living. You may come to the Student Health Center at any time to obtain resources, talk to someone, or use any of our informational CD-Rom programs, such as Sex in the CD and Alcohol 101.
  • Referrals: SHAPE refers students to campus services for medical, psychological and health promotion needs.

     How do I request a SHAPE program, and what should I expect?

If you’re interested in requesting a SHAPE program, it’s easy! Here’s what you do:

  • Call 882-1417 (the SHAPE office) or stop by the Health Promotion office located in the Student Health Center to request your program
  • PLEASE REQUEST YOUR PROGRAM AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE. We get a lot of requests, so it helps us to plan a better program for you if we know about it early!
  • Talk with the SHAPE coordinator about what kind of program you’d like. It helps if you have some ideas before you call. The more specific you can be about the kind of program you’d like, the better able we are to plan for it. Here’s a list of common programs and emphasis areas we do to get you started:
    • Healthy relationships
    • Birth control options
    • Sexually transmissible diseases
    • Values clarification
    • General Sexual Health Issues related to diversity, the media, and abstinence
    • We can also create customized programs for individual needs

If you’ve requested a program for your organization or classroom, here’s what you can expect:

  • A phone call a few days before the program date to confirm the request and to finalize any necessary details
  • Two undergraduate peer educators with extensive training in sexual health issues and presentation skills to present your program
  • A timely program finished within your requested parameters
  • Time for questions, answers, and discussion
  • Educational materials, information, and resources to enhance your programming needs
  • Packages which include condoms, educational materials, and information about campus sexual health resources
  • We’re happy to present your program, but expect the individual(s) who requested to program to advertise to their student group
  • A good time and a lot of good sexual health information!

How do I apply to be a SHAPE peer educator?

SHAPE is always looking for enthusiastic, motivated students interested in learning about and promoting healthy sexuality. If you are interested in becoming a peer educator, you may:

  • Download the application in both Word and Pdf format here
  • Pick up an application in A022 Brady Commons
  • Contact the SHAPE office at the Student Health Center anytime at 882-1417

TALK, RESPECT, PROTECT, ENJOY

     SHAPE advocates for smarter, healthy sexuality, which includes: TALK, RESPECT, PROTECT, ENJOY.

     TALK means discussing values, feelings, sexual histories, and relationship needs. Part of being a sexually healthy individual means learning how to communicate what’s important to you. While talking about sex and sexual health issues isn’t always easy, the more you do it, the easier it will become for you and also for those who you’re talking with!

     RESPECT is engaging in sexual relationships that are consensual and non-exploitative. Respect is being able to discriminate between life enhancing sexual behaviors and those that are harmful to self and/or others. Respect affirms your own sexual orientation and respects the sexual orientation of others.

     PROTECT yourself and others against disease, unintended pregnancy, and other potentially negative physical and emotional effects of sexual intimacy. Protect your health through learning about sexual health, getting regular physical exams and engaging in health promoting behaviors such as breast exams, testicular self-exams and vaccine preventable disease.

     ENJOY your sexuality according to your values. Whether you choose abstinence or a sexual relationship with someone you care about, enjoy an honest, pleasurable relationship throughout life.
Check out our links to campus, community and web resources to help students talk, respect, protect and enjoy.
Click HERE to learn more about smarter, healthier sex.