Condom forum planned
Published Oct. 31, 2006
More than a month of informal deliberation has passed regarding free condoms going into residence halls, but the official debate will begin Thursday.
A public forum will be held in the law school courtroom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed condom plan.
The forum is the first in a series of public meetings proposed by Chancellor Brady Deaton in response to letters and e-mails he received regarding the condoms program.
The Maneater obtained several of the e-mails and letters that were forwarded to Deaton's office, dated Oct. 3 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 Oct. 3 e-mail to Deaton. The UM system Board of Curators is the nine-member governing board of the UM system.
Scroggs was unavailable Monday for further comment about the mystery curator because she was traveling.
UM system spokesman Scott Charton said he didn't know which curator Scroggs was referring to.
In an Oct. 12 e-mail to Deaton, associate professor James McGlew speculated that the plan was halted to appease community members.
"I cannot imagine that you are truly in doubt about the value of making condoms more available for students," McGlew said. "I suspect instead that you are worried about the reaction of conservative elements of the community."
The plan to put free condoms in the bathrooms of all residence halls was proposed by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and gained support from Residential Life, the Student Health Center and the Columbia/Boone County Health Department. Phi Beta Sigma president Chris Keller was unavailable for comment.
After Residential Life approved the plan, Deaton halted it, saying he felt the plan was part of a "broader issue" and required further discussion.
A panel has been set up that will feature Deaton and leadership from Residential Life, Student Affairs, Missouri Students Association, Legion of Black Collegians and Phi Beta Sigma, said Justin Ginter, Residence Hall Association president.
Ginter will also be a part of the panel and said he will convey the Residence Hall Association beliefs.
"It is my organization's belief that condoms should be distributed in residence halls," Ginter said.
Ginter said he is open and understanding of the opposition's beliefs.
President Jabari Turner will represent the Legion of Black Collegians. As an organization, LBC has opposed the proposal because of moral and religious reasons.