
	In the News: Headlines & News from 11.13.08 Residence Hall Sexual Health & Safety Products Initiative: Demonstration Video 1 (Male condoms) Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education (SHAPE) Program Student Health Center, Health Promotion Department 4th Floor University Physicians' Medical Building Corner of Hitt Street and Hospital Drive 573-882-1417 What makes us unique? SHAPE is a peer education program consisting of extensively-trained peer educators who lead sexual health programming and advocacy events using a variety of fun, interactive methods in a safe, nonjudgmental format. All peers must complete Interdisciplinary Studies/WGST/SOC 2960, a 3-credit hour course, as well as successfully complete individualized presentation training. Our program offers student the opportunity to grow as student leaders, both personally and professionally. The SHAPE program helps students understand they own their own body and therefore, must accept responsibility for it by.... ...engaging in open and honest COMMUNICATION with their peers about sexual health issues, ...RESPECTING themselves and others by understanding their rights as sexual beings and engaging in non-exploitative relationships, ...promoting and/or using PROTECTION with every sexual act to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and unintentional pregnancies as well as knowing the physical and emotional effects of sexual intimacy, and ...teaching students to ENJOY their sexuality and their relationships according to their values. How can we help you Easy scheduling and delivery of current, accurate sexual health information Address specific sexual health concerns in a safe, nonjudgmental manner Provide resources such as brochures, educational materials, and products Collaborate on sexual health related initiatives and events promoting safer, responsible sex Want to learn more about sexual and reproductive health but were too afraid to ask? Need a fun, interactive class for next semester? Enroll in Interdisciplinary Studies 2960, "Sexual Health Advocacy and Service Learning" class. This class is cross listed as Sociology 2690 as well as WGST 2960. In a safe, open environment, you will critically investigate sexuality and reproductive health through a cultural lens including religious, political, social justice, familial, and societal influences. Through assigned readings, reflection, experiential learning, small group activities and open discussions, you will increase your awareness of sexual health issues, enhance self awareness, and learn how to effectively educate your peers surrounding issues of sexual health. For more information contact the instructor, Dr. Heather Eastman-Mueller at eastmanmuellerh@health.missouri.edu. Peer Testimonials “SHAPE has been a great way to get involved at Mizzou. I have really loved giving presentations to residence halls and student organizations because interacting with and educating students on campus is always fun and challenging. I have met many wonderful people through my role as a leader on campus, within the SHAPE program and without! SHAPE has taught me so much about myself and about sexual health education. I have learned valuable life skills that I will continue to use in the future!” Renata, 2008 “It's incredibly rewarding to participate in such an open-minded environment. I've really enjoyed and learned from my interactions in a comfortable, knowledgeable atmosphere. Understanding how to effectively communicate what I know is an ongoing, rewarding process for me.” Blake, 2008 “SHAPE has been a fantastic way to get involved on campus with many great students and staff while acquiring professional skills that are applicable to any major!” Hannah, 2008 Be a Leader and an Advocate for Responsible Sexuality! SHAPE (Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education) is a peer education group dedicated to providing the University of Missouri student community with well-trained peer educators who conduct sexual health educational programs in a variety of formats.Get connected with other peers who advocate for smarter, healthy sexuality. Learn crucial leadership skills such as program development, critical thinking, presentation skills, meeting management, interpersonal communication, and other skills transferable into your professional career. Apply Now! Meet our new SHAPE Grad Assistant Jessica Omoile! Program Testimonials "The SHAPE peer educators were really knowledgeable and dynamic speakers, and were able to field some really tough and random questions. We had a really great response from all our residents...they all enjoyed it and learned a lot!" -Peer Advisor, Laws Hall "The Shapers were an outstanding component in the training success of the New Greek Education facilitators. They took time to accommodate our specific needs and shaped the program exactly how we needed it. They easily discussed an uncomfortable topic and made sure that our students understood the importance of sexual health! We look forward to utilizing their resources in the future!" -Greek Life SHAPE Peer Educator, tapped into LSV Dan Imhoff, one of our senior SHAPE peer educators, was recently tapped into LSV, a secret society dedicated to promoting and improving the status of women. He was honored as only the fourth male in the 100-year old history to receive this award. Congratulations Dan, we are proud of you! For more information click here: LSV honor SHAPE wins the "Most Outstanding Small Organization" award of 2008, Chancellor's Excellence Award for Leadership, Multicultural, and Involvement. Quote from the awards banquet: "They have worked diligently with other supporters on the Condom Initiative. This group strives to improve the sexual health knowledge of students, staff, and faculty so that they can have the information they need to make choices that have a large impact on their lives and on the lives of those around them. They promote safer choices and they make sure every student on campus have the resources they need when the time comes to make those choices. Their small size hasn’t stopped them from making sure that they are giving the students of Mizzou all the resources and information they need. They are here solely for the well-being of Mizzou Students. Please join us in congratulating the 2007-2008 Most Outstanding Small Organization, the Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education … commonly known as SHAPE." SHAPE representatives Renata Slayton & Ali Balzer are congratulated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Cathy Scroggs MIZZOU '39 OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD Please join SHAPE in recognizing Dan Imhoff, one of the 2008 MIZZOU '39 most outstanding senior recipients. Dan was recently honored as 1 of 39 University of Missouri's most outstanding seniors for his leadership, scholarship, and service to the university and community. Dan will be graduating this May with a B.S. in nursing. Dan actively participates in many university organizations including SHAPE and MARS, and is a member of Dan Imhoff, SHAPE peer educator with SHAPE coordinator Dr. Heather Eastman-Mueller both the Mortar Board & LSV service groups. Congratulations Dan! 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: 1. Call 882-1417 (the SHAPE office) or stop by the Health Promotion office located in the Student Health Center to request your program 2. 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! 3. 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, contraceptive options, sexually transmitted infections, values clarification, general sexual health Issues related to diversity, the media, and abstinence. Note. We can also create customized programs to meet your organization's 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 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 of safety products which include educational material, 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! 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 the lifestyle you choose according to your values. Whether you choose abstinence or a sexual relationship with someone you care about, enjoy an honest, pleasurable relationship throughout life. Click HERE for links to campus, community and web resources to help students talk, respect, protect and enjoy. Click HERE to learn more about smarter, healthier sex.

Want to learn more about sexual and reproductive health but were too afraid to ask? Need a fun, interactive class for next semester?

Enroll in Interdisciplinary Studies 2960, "Sexual Health Advocacy and Service Learning" class. This class is cross listed as Sociology 2690 as well as WGST 2960.

In a safe, open environment, you will critically investigate sexuality and reproductive health through a cultural lens including religious, political, social justice, familial, and societal influences. Through assigned readings, reflection, experiential learning, small group activities and open discussions, you will increase your awareness of sexual health issues, enhance self awareness, and learn how to effectively educate your peers surrounding issues of sexual health. For more information contact the instructor, Dr. Heather Eastman-Mueller at eastmanmuellerh@health.missouri.edu.

Peer Testimonials

“SHAPE has been a great way to get involved at Mizzou. I have really loved giving presentations to residence halls and student organizations because interacting with and educating students on campus is always fun and challenging. I have met many wonderful people through my role as a leader on campus, within the SHAPE program and without! SHAPE has taught me so much about myself and about sexual health education. I have learned valuable life skills that I will continue to use in the future!” Renata, 2008

“It's incredibly rewarding to participate in such an open-minded environment. I've really enjoyed and learned from my interactions in a comfortable, knowledgeable atmosphere. Understanding how to effectively communicate what I know is an ongoing, rewarding process for me.” Blake, 2008

“SHAPE has been a fantastic way to get involved on campus with many great students and staff while acquiring professional skills that are applicable to any major!” Hannah, 2008

Be a Leader and an Advocate for Responsible Sexuality!

SHAPE (Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education) is a peer education group dedicated to providing the University of Missouri student community with well-trained peer educators who conduct sexual health educational programs in a variety of formats.Get connected with other peers who advocate for smarter, healthy sexuality. Learn crucial leadership skills such as program development, critical thinking, presentation skills, meeting management, interpersonal communication, and other skills transferable into your professional career.

Apply Now!

Meet our new SHAPE Grad Assistant Jessica Omoile!

Program Testimonials

"The SHAPE peer educators were really knowledgeable and dynamic speakers, and were able to field some really tough and random questions. We had a really great response from all our residents...they all enjoyed it and learned a lot!" -Peer Advisor, Laws Hall

"The Shapers were an outstanding component in the training success of the New Greek Education facilitators. They took time to accommodate our specific needs and shaped the program exactly how we needed it. They easily discussed an uncomfortable topic and made sure that our students understood the importance of sexual health! We look forward to utilizing their resources in the future!" -Greek Life

SHAPE Peer Educator, tapped into LSV

Dan Imhoff, one of our senior SHAPE peer educators, was recently tapped into LSV, a secret society dedicated to promoting and improving the status of women. He was honored as only the fourth male in the 100-year old history to receive this award. Congratulations Dan, we are proud of you! For more information click here: LSV honor

SHAPE wins the "Most Outstanding Small Organization" award of 2008, Chancellor's Excellence Award for Leadership, Multicultural, and Involvement.

Quote from the awards banquet:

"They have worked diligently with other supporters on the Condom Initiative. This group strives to improve the sexual health knowledge of students, staff, and faculty so that they can have the information they need to make choices that have a large impact on their lives and on the lives of those around them. They promote safer choices and they make sure every student on campus have the resources they need when the time comes to make those choices. Their small size hasn’t stopped them from making sure that they are giving the students of Mizzou all the resources and information they need. They are here solely for the well-being of Mizzou Students.

Please join us in congratulating the 2007-2008 Most Outstanding Small Organization, the Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education … commonly known as SHAPE."

SHAPE representatives Renata Slayton & Ali Balzer are
congratulated by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Cathy Scroggs

MIZZOU '39 OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD

Please join SHAPE in recognizing Dan Imhoff, one of the 2008 MIZZOU '39 most outstanding senior recipients. Dan was recently honored as 1 of 39 University of Missouri's most outstanding seniors for his leadership, scholarship, and service to the university and community. Dan will be graduating this May with a B.S. in nursing. Dan actively participates in many university organizations including SHAPE and MARS, and is a member of

Dan Imhoff, SHAPE peer educator with SHAPE coordinator
Dr. Heather Eastman-Mueller

both the Mortar Board & LSV service groups. Congratulations Dan!

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:

1. Call 882-1417 (the SHAPE office) or stop by the Health Promotion office located in the Student Health Center to request your program

2. 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!

3. 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, contraceptive options, sexually transmitted infections, values clarification, general sexual health Issues related to diversity, the media, and abstinence.

Note. We can also create customized programs to meet your organization's 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 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 of safety products which include educational material, 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!

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 the lifestyle you choose according to your values. Whether you choose abstinence or a sexual relationship with someone you care about, enjoy an honest, pleasurable relationship throughout life.

Click HERE for links to campus, community and web resources to help students talk, respect, protect and enjoy.

Click HERE to learn more about smarter, healthier sex.