A recently released survey by Trojan graded sexual education at colleges nationwide. Although AU was not selected (Georgetown and George Washington were D.C.'s two representatives in the survey), there is debate about how AU would rate.
The survey based its ratings on several criteria, including the availability of condoms, contraception and testing for HIV and other diseases and the existence of a sex health Web site and sex advice column.
AU makes the grade in student-run programs like "Sex Milk and Cookies" and sexual advice in "The Toilet Paper," both run by diligent students at The Naked Truth. Condoms are available at both the Health and Wellness centers and the Health Center does screen for some STDs. New this year are five condom machines available in dorms 24/7 when the Health and Wellness centers are closed. Also, the Women's Initiative is in the final stages of working with the Health Center to provide free HIV testing for students. This is so important in D.C., which has an alarmingly high rate of HIV infection.
However, some students say the Health Center does not do a good enough job making its services known or explaining all options to students, and some students cite difficulty with or bad handling of efforts to obtain contraception there.
Students with sexual health questions are encouraged to submit them to "Everybody does it...", a sex advice column by Blair Bryant Nichols, which runs in The Eagle every Monday. The author never hesitates to answer questions about any sexual health subject. Inquisitive students should e-mail blairbryant.nichols@gmail.com.
AU's campus climate is comparatively open and progressive in terms of sexual health. But there is always room for improvement and students should continue voicing their demands for change.
