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The university’s Student Government Association (SGA) has proposed a new resolution to install condom dispensers in dorms. Despite condoms being offered in both the C-Store and Health Services, the resolution recently has been passed, allowing for condom dispensers to be installed in dorm laundry rooms on a trial basis starting in Emily Hall.
For at least the past 15 years Health Services has offered free condoms in their student bathroom. They are located in two plastic tubs on a table in the bathroom. “You can just come in, walk back into the bathroom and get some,” Health Services student aid worker Jessica Sally said. “I know some students may not feel comfortable asking for them, but you don’t even have to ask at the front desk. They’re just sitting there in the bathroom”. The mission of Health Services is to defend the health and safety of students – and that is the reason behind offering free condoms. “For the most part, we get a good response,” said Sally. “We have to refill the containers every two days or so.”
Condoms are also available in the Hollis center and for purchase at the C-Store in the CUB. “Like everything else in the C-Store, they were put there upon student request,” General Manager of the Commons Helen Cox said. Condoms are located on the right hand side of the store entrance and are available in several varieties. The current price for a pack is $3.99.
However, despite the current availability of condoms on campus, one SGA senator still felt that the need for condoms was not fully being met on campus. “I realized that students had minimal access to condoms, especially after hours, [when the] facilities they were available in are [closed],” junior, molecular biology major Adare Morell, the senator who represents the wellness interns said. Morell also recognized the additional problem that students did not have a very private way to purchase condoms.
According to freshman, criminology major Jeff Shapiro, “The availability of condoms on our campus is severely limited at the moment.” Currently they can only be purchased at the C-Store or received at either the Hollis Center or Health Services, all three of which have limited access because of their hours of operation. The concern that prompted the resolution was a question as to whether or not there was sufficient means for a student to purchase/receive a condom with any sense of privacy.
To address these concerns, she and fellow senator Shapiro drafted a resolution proposing the installation of a condom dispenser in dorms. According to Morell, the main purpose of the resolution was to allow students to have private, constant access to condoms. By putting the dispensers in the laundry room, a location that is relatively empty at night, students will be able to access condoms at any time for a small fee.
The proposal of the resolution met with some disagreement in senate. Some argued against the ethical aspects of contraceptives themselves and whether or not laundry rooms were the most appropriate place for the machines. Others proposed that the resolution would be a waste of time and money because condoms are already available to students. Another argument was that since condoms are already available around campus, in some locations for free, there is no need for dispensers where students have to pay 25 cents. Some also argued that this discouraged the value in students’ responsibility to plan in advance by allowing them to purchase condoms at the last minute.
However, Shapiro argues, “Condom dispensers are actually promoting student responsibility by forcing them to pay [a minimal fee] for items they use. Unfortunately, when students leave Stetson, there will not simply be condoms lying around for free. By implementing dispensers, students are forced to begin to take on a certain degree of responsibility for their actions.”
Ultimately, after successfully passing through committee and surviving a 30 minute debate, the resolution passed. “As such, it is now President Drew Glasnovich's job to present the proposal to the deans and the trustees. If they agree, then a "test" condom-dispenser will be placed in the laundry room of Emily Hall,” said Shapiro.
As designated by the resolution, a trial run of the proposed condom dispenser in a laundry room will be executed in Emily Hall. One dispenser will be installed; then, the success of this dispenser, based by sales, will determine if other dispensers will be installed in other dorms. If implemented campus-wide, condoms would be available in every residence hall with at least 50 residents for a quarter each. “They will be encouraged to make safe sexual decisions for themselves and their partner,” said Morell.
“I am really happy with the result,” Morell said. “I hope that the staff members of Stetson agree with the resolution and what it wants to implement, and that condom dispensers are instilled throughout campus. I think it will lead to a healthier and more responsible student body.”
Shapiro agreed, “We are both happy that the resolution succeeded, as it is a positive step in the improvement of both sexual health and responsibility on our campus.”
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