A big fuck you to Drew University

[bakerloo]

...or maybe I should say "don't fuck you" to Drew University.

Drew has discontinued the complimentary condom basket at Health Services. The rep from Drew says this happened because some people were taking large quantities of condoms and that someone stole the basket itself

Comments

[vaticanplum]

Now, I will preface this by saying that I don't agree with this and I absolutely think the free condoms at Drew are a glorious thing and VERY important.

That said, I don't think it's the choice that's as dumb as the way they've presented and handled it. The reality of budget cuts is harsh. If cutting condoms gets ONE more kid to college or offers them some extra classes to take, then I'm for it. Not everybody might agree with me on that and I understand that.

But if they're going to cut the free condoms, they have to do it correctly. They have to say, we're cutting the free condoms, but we're putting vending machines in all the dorms. We're cutting the condoms, but we're instituting mandatory sex safety ed for all the students. This I actually think may be even more important than the free condoms. I don't remember ever getting sex safety education at Drew, maybe I'm wrong. But it would have been very important especially considering I DID NOT RECEIVE IT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

The reality is that these kids will not always have free condoms at their disposal, and it's so important for them to understand WHY they need them even when they have to take the extra step to go buy them. Condoms are not to be used only when they're convenient. If Drew absolutely must cut the free ones right now, this is the perfect time to drive that lesson home.

Most of all they shouldn't say that they're cutting them because kids are taking a lot of them and someone stole the basket. I mean, that's just dumb. Putting the blame on the students? DUMB, Drew. Maybe a lot more of your students are having safe sex than you realize. That's a good thing! I don't even know how anyone allowed that in a press release or whatever. If one kid misses a class, are they going to cancel a class and blame the kids? Dumb.

[bakerloo]

Annie, I absolutely agree with you that Drew should provide comprehensive sex education AS WELL AS condoms. Gigi and I are trying to take our show to Drew, which might help a little bit in that regard. I also agree that if they're going to cut the free condoms there should be other ways (BESIDES asking your RA) to get them - vending machines, etc.

As for class vs. condoms, obviously Drew is a school so they have to prioritize classes. I haven't seen their budget so I don't know which line the Health Services cuts would benefit.