Many Ohio University graduate students are indignant about mandatory sexual education required to obtain condoms and gynecological examinations at Hudson Health Center, several senators said at last night's Graduate Student Senate meeting.
Female graduate students must attend a two-hour seminar before obtaining a Pap smear and other gynecological procedures through Hudson, said Stephen Siff, College of Communication representative.
It's a little offensive
he said.
Females must attend the seminar once to use Hudson's GYN clinic, said Kristin Delo, vice president for Administration and Finance, who serves as a graduate assistant at Hudson. Seminars cover information about annual examinations, contraceptive methods and reproductive health, she said.
It is possible to get a waiver to skip the seminar, though it is rarely given because it's a liability for the university, Delo said, because OU needs to ensure women have the information.
A mandatory five-minute demonstration is also required for students purchasing condoms for the first time, Delo said.
Dominic Barbato, Graduate Student Senate president, agreed to bring representatives from Hudson and from Legal Affairs to a meeting to discuss the rationale for the policy and to investigate the legal end.
A resolution was passed to urge the OU Master Plan Advisory Committee to meet before the end of Fall Quarter to address future plans for construction, transportation and VisionOhio.
The committee met during the summer, but its October and November meetings were canceled, Barbato said. The next meeting is scheduled for January 2007, he said.
Unfortunately it is beginning to meet very very infrequently Barbato said.
Before any construction is started, OU needs a strategic plan to choose locations for more lab space, additional student housing and other projects, Barbato said. For example, The Oasis is closing before any plans for future use were made, he said.
As the campus expands with more construction projects, transportation and parking issues will appear, he said.
With building increases, the campus traffic flow will change and more parking will be necessary, Barbato said, adding that additional public transportation options need to be considered to accommodate students living off-campus.
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