Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / Nov. 17, 1988, edition 1 / Page 5
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h^_^ndulum November 17, 1988 page 5 Op-Ed Condom machines in college dorms ^DS threat demands attention, not just during health service hours y David Hibbard C 426-A 1 need change for the drink *®chines,” could soon change to “I change for the condom ‘^achines,” at UNC campuses -ross the state. That is, if a recent made by the N.C. Student ^gislature is adopted. Student Legislature, com- >'ised of students from 30 public private colleges in the state, ‘‘oposed that condom machines be though some ^hools provide con- students don’t to know about it. ^®*'*^itories throughout »e IThe chairman of i th of Governors call- j. ^ P^'oposal, “a shocker,” but board members could not be -minded about the issue, they certainly can’t. AIDS •"^al threat in todays society. and anyone who doesn’t believe it is just plain naive. And people who believe college students aren t engaging in sex are in the same boat. For years, college and univer sities have considered it their responsibility to see that their students have had required vaccina tions, and are generally healthy. Health services on campus provide a doctor, medicine, and a wide range of counseling and health in- (B CONDOMS 500 ***** *** * formation. Many schools have pro vided condoms for years, but for some reason, the students just don’t seem to know it. Even if they did know it, would it help? How many college infir maries are open at 11 or 12 o’clock on Friday and Saturday nights, when students are most likely to need condoms? The point is that the majority of students and adults put off getting protection for safe sex until minutes before they need it. Often, those minutes don’t fall into the hours that your local campus health ser vice is open to distribute condoms. Condom machines do not pro mote promiscuous sex. Students have made up their minds by the time the get to college whether or not they’re going to have sex. The presence of condom machines is not going to encourage someone to engage in sex. But their persence may encourage safe sex for those who do. detection from AIDS should rest in hands of health care services P^fgaret Allen C 426-A l^^ightened awareness of :.i , ^ and its connections having casual sex, many col- considering placing con- Q l^^chines in dormitories. The (m Legislature, feels that ^ ‘*^g condoms ea .y accessi- the risl )f catching L '''ould be reduced if not .^''ented. The question is not, whether *^^^uce the risk of cat- ^fest they-are the ifjj ^ protect both the male decide to engage '''here the con- he provided for the yiced^^ condoms should be ’ ide ’ dorms, but in the deT center, where s can get them discreetly I ^ ^ tasteful manner. ^rter having a health on college campuses is to provide a service for the better ment of the student’s health. With the risk of AIDS spreading among sexually active college students, the burden should lie with the health center to sufficiently supply students with condoms and other protection. Any students who would feel ap prehensive about getting condoms from the health center would feel even more uncomfortable buying them out of a machine in public where their peers would be more likely to see them. The health center would be providing a service to the college and the students, but at the same time they would be do ing so in a discreet manner. This way, both needs would be met. Students would be able to get condoms easily and the college would be spared any embarrass ment that would come from college officials, alumni, or state legislators who disapprove of the condom machines being placed in the dormitories. by Mickey Fbwell JC 426-A There has been much discussion on the possibility of placing con dom vending machines in dor mitories throughout the Universi ty of North Carolina system. Some people believe that the machines will make condoms easi ly obtainable to students, resulting in increased sexual responsibility. However, other factors must be taken into consideration before making this decision. The N.C. Student Legislature has recommended to the UNC system that they install these machines. In recent years, society has become more open in discussing-sexual issues. Each year, many new cases of AIDS are reported, and the public is becoming more aware of the dangers of sexually-transmitted diseases. School officials do not find the idea of installing the machines too appealing, but recognize that if statistics are found showing college students to be at a high risk, the issue should be considered. Many college students are ex periencing sexual relations for the first time. It is something that, for a school that seems to support the idea of its students having sex. Many students have parents who grew up in an era of different sex ual attitudes, and they may not fully If a student is able to be on his own, he should be able to take on the responsibility for his sexual actions. many, is part of the experience of being on their own. If a student is responsible enough to be on his own, he should be able to take responsibility for his sexual ac tions. Pharmacies as well as some in firmaries provide condoms to those that want them. If a student feels uncomfortable asking for or pur chasing them, it should tell him that maybe he is not ready for sex. If the machines are installed in dorms, that is no guarantee that students will use them. Schools must also consider the feelings of those who contribute funds to the school. Some parents may not want to send their child to understand that the college is simp ly tring to stop the spread of disease. Because they are at a vulnerable age, some students may also get the notion that the college is encouraging sexual relations. Colleges should be concerned about preventing the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, but they should also try to maintain an atmosphere that encourages sexual responsibility. Condoms are available through other sources for students who want them. Installing condom ven ding machines may pose too many problems to the school in terms of the public’s attitude.
Elon University Student Newspaper
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Nov. 17, 1988, edition 1
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