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The Daily OrangeSU falls in college sex health rankings
By Maria Qualtere
Posted: 11/5/09, 2:35 AM EST Section: News
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In its fourth annual Sexual Health Report Card, Trojan Brand Condoms ranked 141 different universities and colleges based on the access and availability of sexual health information and resources at their student health centers.
SU came in at 76, a major drop from last year's ranking at 19.
To calculate the rankings and GPA of each school, the survey measured 13 categories. SU received a D for "Student Opinion of the Health Center." Last year SU received a B in this category.
Bert Sperling, president and founder of Sperling's BestPlaces, the firm that conducts Trojan's study, said a major reason for SU's drop in rankings was the student feedback.
"It might be that a new group of students didn't know as much about the student health center, or maybe people had negative experiences, or they just are unaware of the services that the student health center is offering," Sperling said.
The student opinion polls were available on Facebook, Sperling said. They targeted each university individually and advertised the five-question poll by asking students to respond to a survey of sexual health issues. The survey asked questions like, "Would you consider contacting the student health center for sexual health issues?" and "Do you feel the student health center has complete sexual health services?" Sperling said.
Other methods used to develop the rankings included mailing surveys to the student health centers, and calling them to learn about the services they offer. Also, a team of BestPlaces employees evaluates health center's Web sites, determining usability and available information.
"We have a team of our employees look at the different Web sites for all 141 colleges, with the notion that we're putting ourselves in the position of a student," Sperling said, "Namely, how would a student get information about sexual health and awareness questions? And how would they find the resources for the student health center?"
The other categories used to compile each GPA included testing of sexually transmitted infections at the health centers, availability of patient drop-in appointments, existence of outreach programs and student peer groups, hours of operation, contraceptive availability and cost and condom availability.
SU's Health Services declined to comment for this article.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Lee
posted 11/05/09 @ 8:21 AM EST
I find this very scary since SU has an office dedicated to sexual health and sexual assualt. What does this mean for other health issues and studnet persception?
Jeff
posted 11/06/09 @ 4:22 PM EST
The "Condom Fairies" tossed me some condoms, several of which were open. That's a frightening halloween.
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