Trojan grades health
Three state schools ranked in condom makers’ poll, Madison excluded
By Sarah Sullivan, contributing writer
Posted on October 9, 2006

Sex is serious and universities and colleges across the country are working to improve sexual health programs and to promote sexual education among students.

A recent Trojan Sexual Health Report Card ranked 100 schools across the country to highlight sexual health. The University of Virginia came in at No. 41, Virginia Tech at 46 and George Mason University was ranked at No. 66. JMU was not included in the assessment, but sexual health issues are taken seriously by offices like Health Services.
The Office of Health Services manages health programs on campus and has a variety of programs that work to stress the importance of sexual health.

“Our role is to let students know what is available on campus,” said Tim Howley, the JMU coordinator for peer programs. “We are constantly trying to get out word of what is out there.”

The Trojan report card, sponsored by the condom company, looked at schools representing 23 percent of the college population. It found that 76 percent of schools do not provide free condoms, 93 percent provide STI testing and 32 percent have a sex-advice columnist at the student paper or online.

College students engage in unprotected sexual activity daily, said a Collegiate Times article. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said currently 65 million people in the United States are living with an incurable sexually transmitted infection. The center also anticipates 3 million unexpected pregnancies this year.

 JMU has created multi-faceted programs for sexual health issues. At least four buildings — including Varner House, Warren Hall, the Health Center and Blue Ridge Hall — house offices and counseling centers for sexual health-related information.

“There are a variety of different avenues into the system,” said Ann Simmons, the coordinator of health promotion. “Someone may not be comfortable walking into the Health Center, but having many health offices makes getting help easy.”

JMU places emphasis on peer educators and student organizations that stress safe sex. The on-campus student group R.E.A.C.H. Peer Educators works to spread the word about healthy sexual relations. 

 “Sex in the ‘Burg” is one example of a R.E.A.C.H. program students present to their peers.  The program focuses on safe sex, but also stresses abstinence is the only sure way to prevent STIs and other infections.

“It is great that JMU offers sexual health programs, but abstinence is the surest way to avoid pregnancy and STIs,” freshman Jenna Bryant said.

 “Sex in the ‘Burg” is presented to residence halls, fraternities, sororities and clubs and organizations.

“Our role is to present what is out there,” Howley said. “The philosophy of peer education is that students will listen to people in their age group.”

R.E.A.C.H. also is responsible for “The Duke is Right” program. Freshman Alex Ledford thought the program was informative and fun.

“I had no idea that you could get free condoms from the Health Center,” Ledford said.