Condom initiative sparks reaction
Chancellor Brady Deaton received e-mails from alumni and parents.
Published Oct. 27, 2006
When it comes to a proposed plan to make condoms available in residence halls, it seems almost everyone has an opinion.
Though Chancellor Brady Deaton halted a plan to provide free condoms in the restrooms and floor lounges of residence halls, the debate regarding the issue continues. When the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity plan hit mainstream media, administrators received several e-mails from parents, grandparents and citizens, both supporting and condemning the plan.
The Maneater obtained several of the e-mails and letters that were forwarded to the chancellor's office, dated Oct. 4 through Oct. 20, under Missouri's Sunshine Law.
"There is some concern by at least one curator about this program," Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs wrote in an e-mail to Deaton. The UM system Board of Curators is the nine-member governing board of the UM system.
Several people wrote e-mails to school officials about their concern about the condom plan.
"I was shocked to hear the university is stocking the dorms with condoms," said Tom Blanchard, a St. Charles resident, in an e-mail that was forwarded to Residential Life Director Frankie Minor. "I am very concerned that this will give a false sense of security and incentive to get involved in sex — especially in co-ed dorms."
Minor assured Blanchard the student-run program, which Student Health officials support, would be accompanied by educational materials.
"We are not promoting sex, but instead through this and other programs, we are encouraging students to make good decisions on critical issues that students routinely encounter, including alcohol, stress, drugs, smoking, time management, studying, etc.," Minor said in an e-mail.
Blanchard said in an e-mail that he appreciated Minor's response and that he hoped the educational materials would include abstinence as an alternative to sex, which Minor confirmed.
Other letters focused on the plan's ethical consequences.
"Why are we taking our cues from a school like Harvard in pushing an ultra-liberal social agenda?" Steve Stranghoener said in an e-mail.
Stranghoener said he and his two sons graduated from MU. "My daughter is a senior in high school and would like to consider Mizzou, but not if she's going to be exposed to this kind of 'progressive' agenda."
A phone message left for Deaton, dated Oct. 13, outlined some concerns of those opposed to the plans. Lenita Anderson, who identified herself as an alumna and a religious person who opposes any pre-marital sex and sexual relations of young people, said she considered the initiative "an insult to all religious people," and she wanted to know how mental health professionals regarded the program.
James McGlew, who identified himself as an associate professor and director of graduate studies in the department of classical studies, wrote to show his support of the program.
"I cannot imagine that you are truly in doubt about the value of making condoms more available for students,' McGlew said in the e-mail. "I suspect instead that you are worried about the reaction of the conservative elements of the community. If President Floyd or the curators wish to block this, let them use their own political capital to do this, and out themselves in the process as reactionary."
Administrators will continue discussions regarding the plan as promised, but they will not necessarily result in a reversal of Deaton's decision on the plan, Scroggs said in a previous Maneater story.