Hyas for Choice, a student group that has traditionally distributed contraceptives outside dorm room doors, must decide on a new method due to recent conflict with University policy. In past years, members of Hyas for Choice, a non-University sponsored group, had taped condoms to their doors for students to take.
According to Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez, such distribution has always been against school policy.
Erin O’Neill (CAS ‘03), a member of Hyas for Choice, said that the organization will continue to give out condoms in Red Square.
“The practice of the University is that we have always considered the internal space of our Residence Halls as a community living space,” Gonzalez said. “The space inside Residence Halls that is shared and is communal in nature is in fact much more restricted. Students need to feel as though this is their home and each person will respect all persons privacy and privileges.”
Gonzalez said that “giving away of questionable items” is not permitted in communal space, such as dorm room doors.
Vinita Ahuja (CAS ‘03), a member of Hyas for Choice, said that condom distribution has never been an issue until the 2002 spring semester.
“They started to enforce [the policy] second semester and said people were no longer allowed to distribute condoms,” Ahuja said. “I was told that the new policy was only made last semester.”
The University Speech and Expression Policy says “Expression that is indecent or is grossly obscene or grossly offensive on matters such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is inappropriate in a university community and the University will act as it deems appropriate to educate students violating this principle.”
There is considerable confusion among Residence Assistants as to the policy on condom distribution.
Ahuja said she was approached this semester by a Copley Residence Hall Resident Assistant, Roland Riebl (MSB ‘03), and asked to remove condoms from her door.
Two other RAs, Hormazd Kanga (MSB ‘04) and Colin Murphy (CAS ‘03), said they were not informed that condom distribution on dorm room doors was against school policy.
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Todd Olson said, “It may not have been enforced in the past, but it will be more consistently enforced in the future.”
Dan Beaty, Hall Director of Village C East, said that he could not comment on that specific policy, but that students should refer to the Student Handbook for guidelines on free speech.
“It’s part of [an RA’s] job description to enforce University policy,” Beaty said.
Hyas for Choice is considering polling the student body or drafting a petition in support of condom distribution on dorm doors, Ahuja said.
O’Neill, who was a condom representative for Hyas for Choice, said that she plans to keep condoms on the inside of her door for distribution.
