As reported in Monday’s ODE (“Study: UO fails sex education,” ODE, Oct. 2), Trojan (the condom company) conducted a nationwide survey of sexual health resources on college campuses earlier this year. One hundred colleges or universities were selected from across the United States, including the University of Oregon. The study looked at how readily available sexual health information and resources are to students. Final letter grades and rankings were issued for each school.
While the study was initiated by Trojan, it was conducted by the same company that generates “Best Places” studies, which are useful and entertaining, if not scientific. According to a NY Times article (“Here’s Your Syllabus, and Your Condom,” New York Times, Sept. 24) no one from the company actually visited any of the campuses. Apparently, the study was conducted by checking out the schools’ Web sites to see how sexual health was addressed virtually. Had the investigators actually visited UO, what might they have found for each of their seven criteria? Here is a sample:
Condom advice and availability – Free condoms are available at the newly remodeled Health Center, distributed through out the clinics thanks to FPEP (Family Planning Expansion Project). Free condoms are available in the EMU; in the Health Resource Center, in the Women’s Center and in the LGBTQ office. Condoms are distributed through out the year at peer education sponsored events such as sexual assault awareness month, safer sex week and World AIDS Day. Free condoms, along with sexual health information, are made available to every new student at IntroDUCKtion, thanks to SWAT (Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team) and the Peer Health Educators.
Contraception advice and availability – The Health Center provides a variety of contraceptive methods in addition to condoms. Contraception is free, along with many other reproductive health services, for students who qualify for FPEP. Medical staff is exceptionally sensitive to the reproductive concerns of college aged students. Details are at http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu.
HIV and other STD testing – The Health Center provides testing and treatment of STDs, including HIV. Links on the Health Center Web site detail the signs, symptoms and treatment of STDs of concern for college populations. The in-house medical staff, lab and pharmacy create an environment where diagnosis, education and treatment is supportive and confidential. Appointments can be made at (541) 346-2770.
Sexual assault counseling services – The Office of Student Life, (541) 346-1156, along with SASS (Sexual Assault Support Services at (541) 343-7277) provides advocacy for survivors of sexual assault. Advocates are available to assist survivors through legal, academic, medical and other vital decisions. The Health Center is at one of the few regional campuses that have SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurse practitioners on staff to provide comprehensive medical care.
Counseling services and other outreach – The University Counseling Center provides free individual and group mental health counseling in the newly remodeled Counseling and Testing Center. Their staff provides outreach on important adjustment issues, including sexual identity and relationships. Sexual health outreach is also a priority for staff at the Health Center. Between the peer health educators, the health promotion and medical and nursing staff, we strive not only to make condoms available, but to care for the whole student, including their sexual health needs.
If you’re still with me after this mighty but abbreviated list, you may still be wondering what grade UO got. Sadly, we ranked 77th and got the letter grade of D. The important take-home message here seems to be that while UO’s sexual health resources are plentiful, “you must be present to win.” Put another way, we have work to do in improving the quality and accessibility of information on our Web site.
Annie Dochnahl is a health educator at the University Health Center