The 2008 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card ranked the University No. 11 in the country, a ranking that measures sexual health resources on American university and college campuses.
The University Health Center is pleased with the result of the Trojan study. Spokeswoman Kim Barker said the Health Center has been making efforts toward campus outreach and dissemination of information, especially on its Web site. It has been trying to create a general, campus-wide knowledge of products and services the center provides.
The Sexual Wellness Awareness Team, part of the University Women’s Center, feels its efforts are reflected in the University’s ranking.
Rebecca Sprinson, Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator and SWAT member, said the University has cooperated with the Women’s Center to support open communication about sexual health around campus.
“It’s an honor to be ranked so highly,” Sprinson said.
Sprinson said she likes to think SWAT also played a role in the ranking; she definitely feels the group has a prominent role on campus. This year SWAT aims to get people more engaged in talking about sexual assault instead of allowing it to remain a taboo subject. SWAT is also exploring the ways in which cyber stalking is happening.
The Trojan study looked at health centers and groups like SWAT when it put together the ranking. It used 13 criteria and student anecdotes. Among the criteria were student opinion of health centers, separate sexual awareness programs, the availability of contraceptives and condoms, and the availability of STD and HIV testing.
In 2006 the University ranked a lowly No. 77 in the country, and in 2007 it elevated to No. 15. This year the University is No. 2 in the Pacific-10 Conference, ahead of No. 15 Oregon State University but behind No. 1 Stanford University. Other schools in the conference didn’t fare so well. The University of Washington ranked No. 74 and Arizona State was No. 119, the worst in the conference.
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