WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — A lack of funding has forced the Purdue Student Wellness Center to end free condom distribution for students on a walk-in basis. However, a new sexual health program is offering students a way to keep themselves safe at a low cost.
“Cheaper, easy access,” Purdue sophomore Hannah Vongpraseuth said. “Students are still going to come and get them.”
Another sophomore at Purdue Josh Dadson said, “It gets to be a big bill, so why not get a good deal on something we enjoy.”
It’s called the Right Fit program. Although it may not be free, Purdue Sexual Health coordinator Chico Jensen says the response has been overwhelming.
“I’m very happy about that, and I’m also very proud of Purdue students are taking a larger investment in educating themselves about safer sex practices,” Jensen said.
Due to budget constraints, Jensen says the Wellness Center could no longer afford to give out condoms to students on a walk-in basis. He says the Right Fit program allows student to purchase on a point system potentially allowing them to buy as many as 24 condoms for five dollars.
He said it also educates the students on the proper ways to use condoms to maximize safety.
“Quite often, when you have a free program people either misuse the product — they don’t use it for its intended purpose — or they don’t bother to figure out what might be a better option for them, as far as the different brands and the different types,” Jensen said.
The Right Fit Shoppes are now open Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Purdue University Student Health Center and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the France A. Córdova Recreational Sports Center.
Jensen said of all the Big Ten schools, Purdue has the smallest sexual health program. However, it hasn’t stopped him from educating students. He hopes the initial response will help expand the program in the future.
“It all depends on if people stop in and buy them,” Jensen said. “If they stop buying them it will kill the program, and we’ll just have to shut it down.”
But based on the student response so far, the program will keep being a resource to keep Purdue students safe and in an affordable way.
“We always brag about being a big campus, so why not be safe in every way,” said Dadson.
Jensen said there are still many resources on campus where students can purchase condoms. He says the Right Fit program insures students have what they need and know how to keep their bodies healthy and safe.
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