Comments on: Missing: Reproductive health services on community college campuses

By: Hilarie

Hilarie — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 15:46:27 +0000

Rosario raises an interesting point. My knowledge of this subject is entirely based on my experience as an undergraduate at a private four-year university. During and after our freshman orientation, we received a lot of information about healthy relationships, family planning, and the resources available to us as students (including information about off-campus clinics, hot lines, etc.). In addition to the services provided at our health center, student groups offered free HIV testing several times a year. Our residential counselors even had condoms on their doors. I’m not sure whether or not this was unique to my school, but I believe that any student should have access to such information and resources regardless of the institution s/he attends.

By: Asmaa Donahue

Asmaa Donahue — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:06:20 +0000

Great post from Stephanie at NILRH.

For my undergraduate and graduate degrees, I attended first a state and then a private university. Each time I lived off campus. Having student health services, including access to reproductive and sexual health, was a benefit that I greatly relied upon. It should be available to all students, regardless of whether they attend a university or a community college.

Community colleges should absolutely offer similar student health services if they are interested in investing in the academic and future success of their students. Any student — whether enrolled at a private 4-year university or a community college — is struggling financially, often without health insurance, making healthcare a luxury. Community colleges can find any number of creative ways to resource and provide a student health center, including partnering with local healthcare providers or university schools of medicine.

By: Rosario

Rosario — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:17:33 +0000

I agree that community colleges should provide reproductive health services. I wonder if this is complicated at all by the residence of students in community colleges versus that of students at universities. I am under the impression that many students at universities are immersed in new communities while those at community colleges remain in their communities, so perhaps there is the idea that these students will know where to go to find these types of services.