SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A how-to guide for better masturbation that hangs in Skidmore College bathrooms is steaming up the campus in more ways than one.

The Your-Body-is-a-Wonderland edition of The Racy Reader, published by the college's Center for Sex and Gender Relations, encourages masturbation as "a great way to relieve some of the stress that comes with classes, finals and the never ending homework." The poster shows a map of the body's erotic zones and offers suggestions for heightening self-pleasure.

Students created 300 copies of the "restroom reader" with the help of a college administrator. Fliers were placed in bathroom stalls in dorms, classroom buildings and the college library. The poster invites male and female readers to "think up your fantasies."

"Spend time thinking about what really gets you going, and spend your day thinking about situations that get you turned on," the Racy Reader says.

Comment on this story and see the poster on the Saratoga Seen blog

Not everyone is turned on.

A college employee contacted the Times Union this week to lodge a complaint.

"I just really believe that an employee ought to have the right to use public facilities at his/her work place without being accosted by this type of material, and I am troubled in particular that it seems to come with the authorization of a college office," said the person, who asked to remain anonymous.

Skidmore's Center for Sex and Gender Relations is an advocacy program staffed by trained students who report to Kate Child, assistant director of health promotions, college officials said. Child declined comment for this story.

The center works to educate Skidmore students in all aspects of sexual health and conduct, college spokeswoman Andrea Wise said. The latest issue of The Racy Reader was designed to target single persons around Valentine's Day, she said. It will come down soon.

Organizations at the college attach reading material to bathroom walls as a way to share information with captive college students, Wise said. Members of the Center for Sex and Gender Relations addressed auto-eroticism because it's a subject of interest and concern to students, and speaking about it increases awareness, Wise said.

Masturbation "is the safest form of sex," she said.

The poster tells readers to not feel pressured to do things that make them uncomfortable. But it also suggests that masturbation can help people prepare for partners.

Students said in random interviews on Wednesday that they mostly supported the center and its message.

The center does a great job of informing students of important health-related information, not just sexually oriented material, said Katie Wallace, 21, a senior from Atlanta, Ga. "They have a tough mission to engage with students," she said.

Brian Connor, 21, a senior from Brooklyn, said some of the language crossed the line. He also wasn't sure how useful it was.

Much of Your-Body-Is-a-Wonderland is written in a breezy style, providing tips for massaging sexual organs and explaining the value of touching various body parts.

The manual also includes advice and some suggestions for setting the right mood: "Remember -- you are sexy -- ALL of you are, inside and out, so love yourself first and don't be afraid to own your own orgasm," the poster reads.

Reach Dennis Yusko at 454-5353 or dyusko@timesunion.com.