Although Boston University didn’t make this year’s Trojan condom Sexual Health Report Card, Student Health Services representatives said it is active in helping students protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases.
The Report Card, which was released Oct. 6, awarded Columbia University first place, followed by Michigan State University, Ohio State University, University of Michigan and Brown University.
“We want to inspire action, get people to realize that sexual health on campus is critical and that there are things everyone can do to help improve their sexual health,” said Bruce Tetreault, the group product manager of Trojan brand condoms, in a press release.
According to the press release, researchers analyzed data from campus health centers and student opinion polls across 12 different categories, which included health center hours of operation, contraceptive availability and cost, condom availability and cost and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections testing.
Columbia University received the top ranking because it implemented an Internet resource called Ask Alice, which allows students to anonymously ask questions about their sexual health online rather than in-person, according to Sperling’s BestPlaces, an independent research firm that fielded the study.
“There are a lot of programs here that are dedicated to promoting safe sex,” said Columbia University freshman Munna Uppal. “But to be honest, I don’t think there’s much sexual intercourse going on on this campus anyway.”
SHS Wellness Coordinator Michelle George said although BU was not ranked in this year’s report, BU does “quite well with education around sexual health.”
“I am not concerned with whether we are on the list put out by Trojan,” she said. “We actually rank fairly well in all of the categories.”
George said SHS offers students a variety of services for students seeking sexual health help.
“We are open six days per week, we have appointments only but this was changed from drop-in due to student feedback, she said. “We have sexual health awareness programs.”
Additionally, she said both contraceptives and condoms are available on campus for free and SHS can refer students for HIV testing and provide other STD tests.
Students may ask questions concerning their health anonymously via the SHS blog, Facebook or email, she said.
Student Health Ambassadors are also present on campus to educate their peers on these issues and a sexual violence task force actively seeks to decrease the risk of sexual violence, she said.
Other groups also promote safe sex on-campus.
On Sept. 30, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences peer counselors, Student Health Ambassadors and the Minority Associate of Pre-Health hosted “Sex on the Beach” on the BU Beach to raise awareness about sexual health safety.
There, organizations and coordinators set up booths where they distributed free condoms, lubricants, stickers, pins and information pamphlets about sex to the BU community.
The Women’s Resource Center in George Sherman Union holds weekly discussions that sometimes discuss issues about sex, such as their “Sluts, Prudes and Everything in Between” event in September.
Many students said they think SHS has a fairly large presence on campus.
“They stressed at orientation that Student Health Services was always available if we needed anything,” said SAR freshman Karina Lo. “I don’t really know of anyone that’s used them but I’m not surprised about all the other services they provide.”
College of Engineering senior Sneh Shah agreed.
“There are always emails, Facebook groups, flyers and events promoting safe sex,” he said. “And they always provide help and free condoms at SHS, so it seems like they are putting in a lot of effort.”
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