To the editor:

Shame on Sen. Susan Wagle for her personal attacks on the character of Kansas University professor Dennis Dailey. She has completely overstepped her professional bounds. It is not the senator’s job to edit the syllabus of any KU class, and she has shown complete lack of respect for the university and the Kansas Board of Regents by continuing to pursue a mandate that will limit the teachings of Dailey.

It is not the senator’s job to slander Dailey relying on groundless allegations and words taken out of context. Her references are completely unprofessional as well as hurtful to Dailey and his family. Had the senator been present during Dailey’s lectures, she would have discovered what his students and the university already know: The subjects Dailey discusses, though controversial, are subjects which many people have not had exposure to.

It is naive to think that all students at the university level have had adequate sexual education, and this class gives them the opportunity. Explicit videos are shown in order to give students a realistic idea of sex and a reference point, an alternative to images in the media that imply men must be macho and sexually aggressive, while women must be passive and innocent.

Discussions about HIV and other STDs, as well as contentious topics like pedophilia and other mental illnesses, are designed to inform students and challenge their preconceived ideas. Yes, sex is controversial. Where better to discuss it than in a college class?

Jennifer Hopwood,

Lawrence