Sexual Health Safety Product Initiative set to start mid-semester
The plan has been in planning stages for two years.
Oct. 3, 2008
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In about a month, safe sex will be more convenient for students in six residence halls around campus.
Student Health Center Director Susan Even said mid-semester, condom dispensers will be installed in six residence halls.
Missouri Students Association Vice President Chelsea Johnson said the dispensers are due to be installed in about a month once more freshmen are surveyed about the issue and after the dispensers are put to use.
"If there is a negative feedback, they won't have them anymore," Johnson said.
Even said the idea for the dispensers initially came from concerned students.
"The students requested something in the residence halls in order to help increase availability of the products so they could be safer," Even said.
This project, officially called the Sexual Health Safety Product Initiative, has remained under wraps for more than two years, as the involved parties tweaked the design of the dispensers to make sure they were usable. At last, a viable design was chosen. Because of the specific nature of their contents, the dispensers had to be custom made.
"They were designed specifically for the specific products," Even said. "They had to be adapted."
Even said the initiative has been lead primarily by two groups.
"This has been a combined effort of both the residence halls and the Safety Product Task Force," Even said. "It has been a combined effort all along."
The six residence halls were chosen for their central locations within blocks of residence halls. Johnson said if this pilot program is a success, there is a good chance the dispensers will spread to other residence halls throughout campus.
"Depending on the surveys turn out, they'll start looking for more funding to get them in more dorms," Johnson said. "Hopefully if this is successful they'll spread."
Johnson hopes the Sexual Health Safety Product Initiative proves successful. The promotion of safe sex practices will get students into good habits, she said.
"From survey results in the past, safe sex products don't necessarily promote sexual practices," Johnson said. "I really think this will effect students. It's just really important for educational and safety purposes."
More Oct. 3, 2008 News Stories
- MU prepares for emergency notification test — Registration for the system has increased dramatically in the last month.
- Sexual Health Safety Product Initiative set to start mid-semester — The plan has been in planning stages for two years.
- Tuition has growing significance in MU budget — The UM system said it raises tuition to help with university operations.
- MSA works to replace four departing committee heads — Students cited time commitment as a reason for leaving.
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