Condom Dispensers A Possibility in Dorms

By Broadside Interim Assistant News Editor Kevin Loker. Photo courtesy of Flickr user celebdu.

If a new Student Government idea comes to fruition, students may have another option in choosing where to obtain condoms on campus: their dorms.

Student Government is in the process of gathering the facts that they will need and determining with whom they will need to work with in order to evaluate the possibility of putting condom dispensers in the dorms.

“The idea came to us when a student was expressing a concern that the last place to purchase condoms on campus, the convenience stores, close at 2 a.m,,” said Student Body President Zack Golden.

Currently, condoms can be purchased at Patriot Express and the One Stop Patriot Shop. Students can also obtain condoms, including the magnum and latex-free variety, upon request, free of charge at the Office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education, located in SUB I, Room 219J. Their hours, however, are shorter. OADHE is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A dorm with a dispenser, much like those often found in gas station bathrooms, would change that. Students living on campus would be able to discreetly access condoms at anytime of the day. Student reaction to the idea is mixed.

“You know, it’s probably a good idea. Not everyone is going to necessarily get condoms in advance, and this would let them,” said freshman information technology major Zach Nalbone.

“If they want to have sex, they’re probably going to have sex. At least this way it’s more likely to be safe,” said Nalbone.

“I think that it will effectively promote sexual health on campus,” said Golden.

Others feel the proximity of the condoms to dorm rooms may do the opposite.

“It promotes promiscuous behavior,” said sophomore economics major Ruthie O’Donnell, “and if people honestly think condoms and other forms of birth control are helping, they should look at the dramatic rise in STD's and teen pregnancy since the easy access and promotion of ‘safe sex.’”

While some oppose it for what it may promote, others oppose the idea of condom dispensers because of aspects dealing with practicality.

“I do not feel that they’re necessary,” said freshman engineering major Amy Crockett.

“First, if you are going to engage in that type of activity you could take a stroll to OADHE and pick one up,” said Crockett.

“Most everything on campus is within 15 minutes of everything else, and I don’t feel this is an exuberant amount to walk to pick up a free condom,” said Crockett. “I also feel that the cost of putting the dispensers in will not out weigh the benefit or use.”

George Mason University is far from alone in weighing the cost, practicality and message of placing condom dispensers in the dorms.

Many local colleges already have them, including American University, George Washington University and the University of Virginia.

Golden encouraged students to remember that this idea is in the early stages of development and nothing is guaranteed to happen.

“Student Government can work with the university to advocate changes like these, however we can't do it unilaterally by passing a bill or anything,” said Golden. “This is a project that we are just getting started on.”