College restricts distribution of condoms

The club Women in Society Everywhere (W.I.S.E.) was encouraged by Whitworth administrators to stop handing out anymore condoms to the student body Tuesday, students said.

Whitworth President Bill Robinson and vice president for student life Kathy Storm sent director of student activities Dayna Coleman Jones to speak to the students.

W.I.S.E. is sponsoring the event sex on the sidewalk everyday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Hixon Union Building this week.

“We were in the HUB handing out condoms and information on domestic violence, date rape, rape sexual assault and all kinds of birth control,” junior Ali Hudak said, who is in charge of sex on the sidewalk.

Hudak said Coleman Jones approached the booth.

Junior Kristen Black said Coleman Jones, "began to pick up the condoms we put out on display and said something to the effect that we were not to hand out condoms to the students, as [Robinson] was very upset that it was sending the wrong message."

Hudak had the same story.

“[Robinson] said that we can’t hand out condoms,” Hudak said.
Whitworth has a policy that does not allow sex on campus, because the college is a Christian institution.

Coleman Jones said the students could place the condoms in bags and hand them out, but Robinson did not want them to hand out the condoms at all, Hudak said.

“We were frustrated, but we just put them away and handed them out in bags,” Hudak said.
Black said sexual health is an important issue that can no longer be ignored.

"We (W.I.S.E.) want it to be known that yes, people on campus DO have sex, and we believe in advocating safe sex if they are making this decision," Black said. "Never do we (or will we) tell anyone to have sex. Sex is a very personal choice, but something rarely addressed on campus."

Hudak said W.I.S.E. is planning to meet this Thursday during chapel to decide what to do. The group is planning to send a response to Robinson.

“If he dosen’t give us an explanation, then we’ll figure out where to go from there,” Hudak said.
Hudak said Robinson's request gives the wrong message.

“I think it says the school cares more about its image than about health,” Hudak said. ”They know people are having sex just like every other place.”

Black agrees.

"I don't think that handing out condoms sends the message that Whitworth is condoning or encouraging sex, but rather the opposite, that Whitworth is encouraging students to make safe and informed choices," Black said.

Black said the Whitworth health center gives out free condoms to students who need them.

Health Center Director Jan Murray confirmed this.

"The intention and the mission of the Health Center are to keep all students safe and well," Director of the Heath Center Jan Murray said. "We do this on an individual basis that is nondiscriminatory."

Murray said the health center recognizes rules are broken all the time.

"We are not blind to this," Murray said. "This is a time of experimentation for young adults and that includes sexual issues. Our hope is that students will make decisions that are right for them."

Murray said the health center has information about all health issues including sexual health.

"We see it as no different than any other health issue," Murray said. "We want students to feel safe and sure that their privacy is respected in this environment regardless of why they walk in the door."

Robinson had not responded to interview requests at the time this was published.