Condom plan waits for container decision
Condoms will be in residential halls next week.
Published Oct. 3, 2006
Students waiting for the proposed free condoms in residence halls will be satisfied next week. Phi Beta Sigma fraternity President Chris Keller said the holdup is due to a concern with the containers that will hold the condoms.
"The container is the biggest hurdle we're waiting on now," Keller said.
Keller said a proper container will be chosen this week and should be installed by Monday. The proposed containers are plastic and will be screwed to the walls.
The containers will hold about 30 condoms at a time and will be restocked by maintenance staff as needed.
The plan for free condoms in residence halls was originated by Phi Beta Sigma and approved by the Department of Residential Life in a Sept. 13 meeting. The pilot program was launched in hopes to issue condoms in the men's and women's bathrooms or lounge areas on every floor of every residence hall.
Brands such as Trojan, Durex and LifeStyles will be included with a variety of styles provided. Female condoms and dental wraps will also be in the girls' bathrooms. Plus-size condoms, such as Magnum, will not be provided right away but are being paid for by Phi Beta Sigma. The Boone County Health Department donated the other condoms. About 75,000 condoms were donated, Keller said.
As part of the project, educational packets will be provided with information on safe sex and STDs, Keller said. Each packet features safe sex tips as well as information regarding how to check for a condom that has been tampered with.
The packets will be available to take with the condoms and will be e-mailed to all students early next week.