Last week, William Jewell College's administrative council voted to lift a long-standing policy banning on-campus distribution of contraceptives. Beginning with the fall semester, condoms will be available for a nominal fee in the college health center.
The council's decision follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Student Senate in January calling for open distribution. In February, administrators allowed students to hand out condoms during a series of sexual health education events and promised to rule on the matter before the semester's end.
While contraceptives have never been openly distributed on campus, no written policy has banned them outright. The informal ban was upheld by the Board of Trustees after being challenged in 1996, giving it the weight of a written policy, said Rick Winslow, vice president for student affairs.
The administrative council reached its decision after studying a student-compiled report on sexual health and talking with student leaders. "After we considered their research and considered the points made in conversations with student leaders, we felt a comprehensive commitment to student health issues was appropriate," said Winslow.
The vote was held during the last week of school, after the campus paper had shuttered for the summer and when most students were returning home. The college will inform students of the policy change over the summer and leading up to the fall semester, which begins Aug.
Kansas City Star (05.12.07):: Jason Noble
