Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Grassroots college networks distribute emergency contraceptives on campus Michelle Andrews KFF Health News
Limya Harvey and Cydney Mumford set up a folding table a few times a month on the University of Texas-San Antonio campus to give away kits containing emergency contraceptives, condoms, and lube, or menstrual products like tampons and pads. They typically bring 50 of each type of kit, and after just an hour or two everything is gone. The 19-year-old sophomores — Harvey is enrolled at UTSA and Mumford at Northeast Lakeview College — founded the organization Black Book Sex Ed last spring. Their mission is to educate students and others in need about sexual health and connect them with free services and products packaged into kits they distribute on campus, in the community, and through their website. “Both of us grew up rather lower-income,” Mumford said, “so there’s a soft spot as it relates to people who say, ‘Oh, I just don’t have it right now.’ That’s part of the reason we started doing this.” Harvey and Mumford aren’t alone. A growing number of students on college campuses nationwide are stepping in to provide other students with free or low-cost emergency contraceptives, birth control, and menstrual products. They are also pushing back against threats to their reproductive freedom since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision last year, which eliminated federal abortion protections. Although emergency contraceptives are legal in every state, some policymakers worry that in states that ban or severely restrict abortion, access to emergency contraceptives and other types of birth
control may erode because of people failing to distinguish between drugs that prevent pregnancy and medications used for abortions. “Our requests for help have quadrupled since Dobbs,” said Kelly Cleland, the executive director of the American Society for Emergency Contraception, which provides toolkits and technical assistance to help students develop what are becoming known as peer-to-peer distribution networks. Those student networks provide emergency contraceptives and bring vending machines to their campuses that carry the medications and other personal health care products. The organization has worked with students at more than 200 campuses. Many types of emergency contraceptive pills are available over the counter and without age restrictions. Students who distribute them are generally not putting themselves at legal risk, especially if they ensure the products are in their original packaging and haven’t expired and refrain from providing medical advice, Cleland said. It’s like giving a friend a Tylenol, one advocate explained. “It’s really growing and a really interesting new route for people to get what they need in trusted ways, especially in Texas and other states where there are repercussions from the Dobbs decision,” said Mara Gandal-Powers, director of birth control access at the National Women’s Law Center. Like those of many student groups, Harvey and Mumford’s kits contain products — emergency contraceptive pills, tampons, lube, etc. — donated by nonprofits and companies. Black Book Sex Ed accepts financial donations as well and uses the money to buy items at big-box stores. The University of Texas-San Antonio didn’t respond to requests for comment. See Grassroots on 8
Courtesy of OSU The $275,000 raised for Payne County United Way will benefit 22 partner agencies.
OSU exceeds 2023 United Way campaign goal Courtesy of OSU News
Oklahoma State University surpassed its fundraising goal of $275,000 for Payne County United Way’s total campaign on Nov. 30. Led by co-chairs OSU Police Chief Leon Jones and Julie Weathers, director of strategic initiatives and assessment at the Spears School of Business, the OSU campaign kicked off in September as part of the Payne County United
Way’s $1 million campaign. The funds collected benefit 22 partner agencies, making a positive impact on individuals and families in Payne County. Varsity Review made a significant contribution of over $60,000 to initiate the campaign, and additional funds were raised through employee payroll deductions, one-time gifts and group fundraisers. Despite reaching its initial goal, OSU has continued its contributions, raising a total of $290,238 so far, with the campaign scheduled to continue through the end
of 2023. Weathers said that approximately nine entities exceeded their goals, making a substantial impact on the overall objective. “It was the perfect theme, United We Thrive,” Jones said. “I think it was Garth Brooks that said the greatest thing you will ever be taught is to do something for someone you will never meet. So, that has always stuck in the back of my mind. And that’s true. United, we do thrive. So that’s what we do is just try to bring everybody together like we have always done during this campaign.” See Goal on 8
File Photo Membership with National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations has struggled on campus, as they are not as prominently featured as other Greek organizations.
Fighting for space
Black Greek life trying to expand Steve Spears O’Colly Contributor
Tribune Content Agency San Antonio college students Limya Harvey (left) and Cydney Mumford (right) distribute free kits containing either emergency contraceptives, condoms, lube or menstrual products, at the University of Texas-San Antonio campus and at community events.
The experience of Black Greek life is different compared to other Greek organizations on campus. “One of the reasons is the numbers, it’s very difficult to start a chapter at PWIs (predominantly white institutions),” said Jalyn Porchay, an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. member. “We have a lot of requirements of chapter fees and insurance fees, and they can be high for one person to pay, and it doesn’t make it advantageous to some people. “If you don’t have enough interested people, it’s hard. The house situ-
ation with facilities hinders a lot of Divine Nine organizations for hosting events.” OSU is home to 50 Greek organizations, seven of which are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, more commonly known as the Divine Nine. The university has a total of 4,268 students who are members of Greek organizations, which is 13% of the total enrollment. NPHC organizations on campus have a total of 26 total active members. A prominent fraternity in the public eye is Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., which holds membership with Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan and Stephen A. Smith but currently doesn’t hold an active chapter on campus. The last two active mem-
bers graduated last year, leaving the chapter vacant. OSU boasts the biggest homecoming in the nation and relies heavily on Greek life for its events. There is a notable absence in these festivities as few, if any, of the NPHC organizations participate. Leo Delyannis, a Greek life member, said it has to do with how people join. “I feel like you don’t see them as much around campus or at events,” Delyannis said. “Whether it’s marketing or social media with them, it’s kind of more secretive as opposed to everyone else it’s kind of pushed more upon you. Like everyone talks about where they want to rush and with those organizations, it’s super-secret and more selective.” See Expand on 6