Condoms will be available to students on campus free of charge beginning next semester.
The President’s Cabinet voted to support and implement the health resolution Student Senate passed last month proposing that condoms become more accessible to Bradley students.
“We as Student Senate are excited that they are willing and flexible about the policy,” said Student Body President Tricia Anklan. “This is a big step for the university and I hope students are appreciative and respectful of the program.”
The current condom distribution program requires students to attend a Help Empower and Teach sexual education class before being able to pick up 15 condoms a month for one dollar. With the new program, students will be able to pick up condoms at the Markin Family Student Recreation Center front desk or in residence hall offices, with no limit to the number of condoms students can be issued. Informational pamphlets supplied with the condoms will replace the active educational component.
“I think there still needs to be a [sexual health] education program,” said President of the Association of Residence Halls Abi Vogel. “With a pamphlet some students may skim it and some might just throw it away. If you have to sit through a presentation you may not be listening to everything, but you’re listening to something.”
Coordinator of the Alcohol Education and Awareness Program at the Wellness Center Lyndsey Hawkins said she is happy the Student Senate proposal will be implemented.
“I’m glad because it provides easier accessibility,” she said. “We’re going through about 1000 condoms a month with the program already in place. With this new policy we expect that number to triple.”
Vice President of Student Affairs Alan Galsky said the program will be implemented at the start of next semester, but on a trial basis. In May the President’s Cabinet will evaluate the program for improvements.
“The cost is minimal,” he said. “Right now we feel that what we’re paying for is a health issue that does need a cost.”
Although it will serve as a good resource for students, Vogel said there a few flaws with the program.
“As an RA I feel like it’s really useful for the students,” she said. “But it also shows them they can get them whenever they want and there may be people abusing the program.”
Galsky said the Wellness Program will continue to coordinate the distribution, this time with the help of Reslife staff.
“The [residence assistants] will be trained,” Hawkins said. “They have staff training in the winter and we’ll probably use that time to plan that.”
Because the Wellness Center will be in charge of the program, they will also be able to choose the brand of condoms.
“When you think of Trojan you think of condoms,” Hawkins said. “It is a dependable brand and has been a popular choice for students so will probably stick with Trojans.”
