Awesome work, Joe!! 

Student provides free condoms

by Ashley Jobe, February 23, 2010

The national community pleads with its youngest generation to be safe about sex, and Elon University students fall well within the demographic that receives that message, but safer sex options are not always readily available.

Two years ago, SGA was faced with a proposal to make condoms available in dormitories.

"This was voted through the Senate but vetoed by the Executive President Rob Saunders," Justin Peterson, current SGA executive president, said. "Since then the idea has not been discussed by SGA."

Because condoms are not conveniently accessed, students are left to their own devices. One place where students can look to for quick protection is the R.N. Ellington Health and Counseling Center.

The Health Center stresses the importance of accessibility to the Elon community and availability in times of need. But sometimes seeking out the "rubbers" can be a bit embarrassing, and even taboo. Additionally, the Health Center is not open after business
hours.

Joe Kiernan, a sophomore, participates in Advocates for Youth, an organization founded in 1980 that focuses its work on youth aged 14-25 both in the United States and in international communities.

Kiernan's chapter is not affiliated with the university, but seeks to prevent consequences associated with unprotected sex.

"Some students voiced that they feel more comfortable asking a fellow student for condoms rather than an Elon staff member," Kiernan said.

"I don't want students options to be limited to one location, one brand of condom or one set of office hours."

He and those who support this particular cause can create "SafeSites."

SafeSites are individual condom distribution points. If students or an organization becomes registered as one, they are given condoms by the Great American Condom Campaign to make available to students to get protection, at any time, and they are recognized in their community as safe zones. Kiernan is given 500 Trojan condoms once a year to distribute to the student population.

"I haven't heard anything negative from the students and the sheer volume of students using the service makes me think I am helping out the Elon community," Kiernan said.

Information about sexual health awareness events and reproductive health issues are also available both by SafeSites and through the Web site.

Information can be found there about condom effectiveness, state profiles and tips for finding SafeSites near you.

Though Kiernan does not identify as a spokesperson for Advocates For Youth, he says that the organization realizes that abstinence is not a typical choice for college students.

"College students are adults and are able to make their own choices about sex, reproduction and reproductive health," Kiernan said. "Our goal is to inform and provide protection."