Would students pay more for a condom, if it meant keeping their privacy?
Overcoming the stigma of sex and providing better access to contraception was the subject of a SAP project by students in Professor Elizabeth Stroot’s fall 2012 PSYS 221 Sexuality: Psychosocial Perspectives.
“We were having a group discussion one day, and a lot of students were interested in discussing contraception, and that discussion led us to change the SAP project topic from sexuality to contraception. We originally called it ‘the great condom challenge,’” Associate Professor of Psychology Elizabeth Stroot said.
One SAP project was a proposal to have condom machines installed in dorms to address the problem of the restricted access of condoms to students.
At a brunch at the president’s house on Jan. 17, Alyssa Abbott, a senior majoring in history with a minor in ethnic and gender studies, inquired about the status of her group’s condom machines SAP project proposal.
“We talked to Nancy Grandillo [wife of President Michael Grandillo]. She liked the idea and was enthused by the idea, but we had to do some research to see what other colleges are doing,” Abbott said.
Students inquired of condom companies for free condoms to give students. “I know there are some condom companies that do that for students,” Abbott said.
The students’ calls and emails weren’t answered, so the students explored other options.
The group found during their research that in the late 1980’s condom machines were installed in residence halls, but removed sometime after 1991.
Currently, students are offered the option to purchase condoms for 10 cents either from Sherry Carstens, health center RN, or their R.A, when available. The more expensive option would be a three-pack at the Muskie Mart for $3.66 including tax.
“Many people are very embarrassed,” Abbott said. “A lot of people don’t even want to talk about it. It’s very hush, hush. They really don’t say ‘sex,’ they use euphemisms and metaphors. If you are uncomfortable, it doesn’t mean you can’t get protection.”
College students are at a higher level of risk for contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), previously known as Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Factors that influence the risk are living on campus and away from home, having no supervision, and having access to alcohol.
Trevor Tanck, RA for Grosshuesch Hall, a sophomore majoring in religion and political science, said, “The males that are buying them aren’t very embarrassed at all.”
Abbott pointed out that contraception is also the responsibility of women. Condoms are the only contraception that protects against STIs.
“I often get requests from my residents for condoms,” Liz Pritzl, an RA from Muehl and a junior majoring in psychology and nonprofit, said. “I sometimes worry that some of my more shy residents feel too nervous to approach me to buy condoms…. and then may be having unprotected sex.”
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) states that “in the United States about 19 million new infections are thought to occur each year. These infections affect men and women of all backgrounds and economic levels. But almost half of new infections are among young people ages 15 to 24.”
“One of the things I have noticed over the years is that students notoriously underestimate their risk of contracting an STI,” Stroot said. In addition, she said, “Nearly every year that I have been here at Lakeland, a student becomes pregnant unintentionally.”
Nate Dehne, vice president for student development, got involved. He said the idea of condom machines “is not uncommon from a vending standpoint in colleges.”
“There is no evidence in the literature that access to contraception increases students’ participation in an activity they wouldn’t already do. The evidence states that effective contraception decreases STIs and unplanned pregnancies,” Stroot said.
The question came down to money. Jim Bajczyk, director of residence life, requested pricing for machines. At a cost of approximately $500 each, Lakeland would need $6,500 just to purchase 13 machines.
After purchased, the cost of maintenance becomes an issue. In addition, condoms have an expiration date, so the stock will need to be rotated as well as replaced. “At this point, who is going to flip the bill?” Bajczyk said. The option of leasing is being looked at as well.
“We are looking into the ‘vending’ style machine in the laundry rooms and restrooms of the halls,” Dehne said. “They are being priced out right now and will be moved on as soon as we account for where they will be budgeted.”
Until that time, Dehne and Bajczyk proposed to place baskets filled with condoms in the living areas of dorms to remove the responsibility from the RA.
When asked about how soon the baskets will be available, Bajczyk said, “We should get the ball rolling in about a week. [Condoms] are being ordered.”
Nancy Grandillo said, “[Condom machines] could generate a little bit of profit to justify paying for the equipment.”
“This is the one step that Lakeland can be different, initiative, ahead of its time and not be stuck in the past,” Abbott said. “It wasn’t just the project; a lot of people wanted this on campus.”