Health Service is proud to be relevant in campus conversation about health

We would like to take the opportunity to respond to recent allegations that the Health Service co-sponsored the Sex Fair. It is true! We are proud of our involvement; and we would be happy to participate again should students decide to make it an annual event. Clinicians from the Health Service were present at the Sex Fair wearing pins that said "Ask Me," inviting students to discuss their needs and concerns with them. We also provided brochures on emergency contraception, sexually transmitted infections, correct use of condoms, services for sexual assault, and other relevant information.

It is our duty to ensure that our health center works with students on the health issues of concern to them. Because we are housed within a university system, it is central to our mission to try to keep students as healthy as possible, since a student's ability to succeed and perform academically is often directly related to the health crises he or she may face at any given time. This does not mean that we simply give antibiotics for sore throats, and band-aids for cuts. It also means that students have to entrust us with personal information, and it is essential that they know that we are kind, compassionate, open and non-judgmental, in addition to being medically skilled and competent.

Every single day, we treat students for eating disorders, sexual assault, trauma, depression, violence, and the agony of facing an unwanted pregnancy. Too often, our clinicians have to give students the news that they have contracted a sexually transmitted infection that they will have for the rest of their lives. Our work is serious business; and we take it very seriously.

The intent of the Sex Fair was to educate and promote healthy sexuality for those who choose to be sexually active. Central to this goal is the concept that demystifying sex may lead to more healthy expressions -- e.g., a sexual experience in which alcohol is not an essential component; the ability to talk with a new partner about the need for a condom (e.g., "I've had herpes and wouldn't want you to get it."). We are simply baffled how this intent has been misconstrued as indecent. Despite the perception that information about safer sex is everywhere, 15 million people in the US contract a new sexually transmitted disease each year, many of these college students.

Our Health Service addresses real, intimate, primary issues. We could certainly relegate ourselves to a marginal role on campus -- be a building students go to for Tylenol and ace bandages. Instead, we have a 93 percent utilization rate in the senior survey, the same as Computer Services and the Library. Our service is successful because we have done the hard work to reach out to students and let them know that we care about the issues challenging them on a daily basis.

In the meantime, we would like to invite any student or student group to speak with either of us about their concerns. We have yet to hear from anyone who seems to be upset about our participation in the Sex Fair. Our doors are open and always have been. We would be more than happy to speak with anyone who might have ideas about health on our campus. And, we would prefer to be able to say that we understand how these students feel because they have spoken to us directly. We believe it is less than fair to attack people publicly before attempting to understand them and their position. Here is ours, and we welcome all comers.

Michelle Bowdler is the Director of Health Service and Margaret Higham, M.D., is the Medical Director.