Administrators, SHAPE learn from sexual safety product troubles

Administrators are pleased with the success of safety product dispensers.

By Allie Blood

Published Dec. 11, 2008

Days after sexual safety products came into residence halls, administrators are attempting to smooth out humps in the program.

Student Health Center Director Susan Even said she has been in contact with Heather Eastman-Mueller, Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education coordinator, regarding the program. She said the pilot is in such an early phase that they are still exploring the best ways to make the plan as efficient as possible.

"We learned a weight is needed on the top of the products to keep machines from getting jammed," Even said.

The maintenance staff of the residence halls will be in charge of basic maintenance of the dispensers.

She said the program will be under constant evaluation to determine student response and financial support required.

"The resources aren't unlimited," Even said.

Of the rapid emptying of machines by students, Even said this week and next are not typical weeks and are not adequate to determine how well the program works.

"It will take a few weeks at the beginning of next semester to see usage patterns," Even said.

She said there are formal surveys planned for February and April of next year.

Even commended student leaders on their efforts to complete this project.

"It's something for students to feel a sense of accomplishment in," Even said.

Residence Halls Association President Bobby Wood said he was very excited to see the plan enacted.

"I was never in doubt that the university greatly cared about its students but I'm thrilled to see that a project that took so long and so much cooperation is here to benefit so many," Wood said.

He said the cooperation of the Missouri Students Association and the Legion of Black Collegians was a key to making the plan work.

"Inter-organizational cooperation is amazing and essential if we want our university to continue to grow," Wood said.