Condom rally slotted for Memorial Union

A planned second condom discussion has not yet been scheduled.

By Roseann Moring, staff writer
Nov. 14, 2006

The Phi Beta Sigma fraternity chapter plans to hold a rally at Memorial Union today in support of its plan to provide free condoms in the residence halls, fraternity President Christopher Keller said.

Chancellor Brady Deaton held the first official debate about the plan on Nov. 2. Deaton said he halted the condom plan, which was sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma, because he wanted to hear more public discussion about the issue.

"It went a long way as far as showing that most of the students on campus support the plan," Keller said about the debate. "I'm very pleased with the dialogue."

He said the fraternity is holding the rally to keep the issue visible.

"My fear is that it might be something that is overlooked," Keller said.

Sexual health information would be available with the condoms including information on abstinence.

MU spokesman Christian Basi said he didn't know when the next debate would be. He also said Deaton was unavailable for comment because he was out of town.

Four student representatives spoke at the debate — Davie Holt, speaker of the Missouri Students Association Senate; Jabari Turner, president of the Legion of Black Collegians; Justin Ginter, president of the Residence Hall Association; and Alexandra Balzer, graduate adviser for Sexual Health Advocates Peer Education.

Ginter said the condom plan helps most students and could reduce pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

"If you put 75,000 condoms in residential halls and one student does not get pregnant or an STI, then it will be worth it," he said.

Holt said the next step is to find a specific plan that addresses the concerns, including cost, safety of the condoms and the type of sexual health information to include.

"There's got to be a plan out there that makes this possible," he said.

Holt said he plans to follow up with Deaton and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs and that he hopes a plan will be implemented sometime next semester.

Scroggs was traveling and unavailable for comment.

"Providing condoms and sexual health information to students can prevent the spread of sexual diseases, especially among minorities," Holt said.

Ginter said RHA is compiling letters of support from several organizations to present to Deaton to "make it clear that it is not just a student issue."

"Residential Life has made it clear that until the chancellor allows planning and research to continue, they're not going to move forward," Ginter said.

Ginter said without that approval, nothing could be done.

"Until this gate is lifted, there's not much we can do," he said.

Keller said one of the issues is how to dispense the condoms and sexual health information. They are trying to find a way to keep them safe and away from water. He said the possibility of tampering is the main concern.

He said they are exploring the possibility of using a dispenser that hangs from the ceiling or on the wall.

"What I want to see is either the program is being implemented or a reason why (it was) canceled," he said.

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