Let’s talk about sex[ual health on campus], baby

For some students, the bags of condoms stapled to bulletin boards in residence halls are their only contact with the sexual health services the college offers. There is much more to the sexual health services at Lewis & Clark, but students have to go out of their way (and their room) to access them.

LC addresses students’ physical and psychological health by employing health specialists who work at the Health and Counseling Services department. Access to the Health and Counseling Services is free to all students, regardless of their health insurance plan. However, there are nominal fees for lab tests, prescriptions, and vaccinations.

The Counseling Service is a resource for students with questions or concerns regarding relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual violence, or who want advice about how to manage the stress that often surrounds sexual health issues.

Melissa Osmond is the coordinator of health promotion & wellness at LC. “Students have the freedom to choose whether or not they wish to be sexually active,” said Osmond. “Each individual is unique as are their choices. [Health and Counseling Services] support[s] individual decisions around sexuality and sexual behavior as long as it does not cause harm to oneself or others.” The Health and Counseling Services also provide education to students about the risks and benefits of choosing to be sexually active. Last year, 460 students from the undergraduate, graduate, and law schools accessed the Counseling Services.

LC promotes safer sexual behaviors at the very beginning of every new school year by planning events such as this year’s wildly popular Sex Signals during New Student Orientation. Besides the free male condoms located in every residence hall, other barrier methods and educational materials are available at Health Services, the Health Promotion Wellness office, and through student organizations such as the Womyn’s Center.

Female students who choose to be sexually active are advised to visit Nancy Kalvelage, LC’s Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner. Contraceptive options range from “the Pill” and “the Patch” to diaphragms and male and female condoms. Emergency contraception, in the form of the morning after pill, is also available. The prices for contraception vary by item, but some health insurance plans cover contraception. For specific prices, students should contact the Health Services directly. Many students also receive the HPV (or Gardasil) vaccine, which greatly reduces the likelihood of developing cervical cancer, through Student Health Services.

Student Health Services also encourages students to be tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Osmond reminds students that STI testing is shrouded in misconceptions. “Most people assume that when they see their doctor for an annual exam that they will automatically test for STIs if you are sexually active,” said Osmond. “The reality is that some clinicians will test for a few STIs, while others will not test unless you ask.”

Costs vary between types of tests and types of treatments, but the Health Services tries to keep prices as low as possible to encourage students to take advantage of these services. Student organizations will occasionally offer free HIV testing to students in conjunction with the AIDS Summit or other HIV/AIDS awareness events.

Because students may not go out of their way to access individual health educational services, Health Promotion and Wellness helps students organize group programs such as the annual Rubberwear party in Tamarack. Approximately 150 students accessed the Health Promotion and Wellness Services last year, while an additional estimated 250 to 300 students took advantage of group setting programs.

Pregnancy tests are available in Health Services as well. When a student takes a pregnancy test with Health Services, she is counseled regarding options in the event of a positive test. Counselors are available to support students concerned about pregnancy or potential pregnancy, helping them consider all options, including raising a child, adoption, and terminating the pregnancy. Appropriate referrals are made to off-campus resources and support services.

With all Health and Counseling Services, students’ personal health information is held in strict confidentiality.