Condom plan to be unrolled
Feb. 6, 2007
Deputy Chancellor Michael Middleton stated in an e-mail that the concept of bringing condoms into residence halls has been "approved," and that logistical details are all that keeps MU from being the first Big 12 school to have condoms available in residence halls.
The Maneater obtained the Dec. 19 e-mail to Assistant to the Deputy Chancellor Roger Worthington by filing a request under the Missouri Sunshine Law.
"Recognizing the serious public health issues involved, the concept of increasing access to safety devices in residence halls is approved," Middleton stated in the e-mail.
In the e-mail, Middleton stated that the plan is for the students to come up with the solutions to the logistical problems and distribution of educational materials.
He said the plan was analogous to STRIPES, the student-run sober driving program.
"The campus will be working on the development of an implementation plan," Middleton stated to The Maneater through e-mail.
Several student groups, including the Residence Halls Association, Missouri Students Association, Legion of Black Collegians and Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education supported the plan at public forums.
RHA President Justin Ginter said the approval is "absolutely amazing."
"What it really, truly shows is how much the student voice matters to the administration," he said. "It also speaks strongly to the administration's ability to listen. It's amazing that so many student organizations came together to rally behind the issues."
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs told The Maneater through an e-mail interview Feb. 2 that the issue is under discussion.
"Our plans are to determine whether an acceptable implementation plan can be developed," she stated. "The Department of Residential Life and the Student Health Center will work with students and staff to explore plans for implementation."
A pilot plan to distribute free condoms and sexual health education was proposed by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity in September.
In October, Chancellor Brady Deaton halted the plan, claiming in a press release that the initiative required further study and discussion.
In December, a report summarizing the debate was submitted to Middleton by Worthington.
The report concluded that the "vast majority" of participants in the debate expressed favorable views of the plan, logistical issues are the objections raised most often and almost all participants agreed that moral objections were a legitimate concern.
SHAPE graduate adviser Alexandra Balzer said SHAPE is still behind the condom plan.
"SHAPE is just looking for an opportunity for everyone to work together in a way that satisfies the most people," Balzer said.
Neither Scroggs nor Middleton elaborated on a timeline for the implementation of the plan.
Worthington and Middleton also discussed the media attention the debate has generated.
"Public comment on the process is distracting and potentially harmful to the process," Middleton stated on Dec. 6.
Worthington stated he omitted a "recommendations" section in the report because of the media attention.
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