We introduced an emergency contraception merchandising machine to Northeastern: why this issues and what comes subsequent

Welcome to the brand new Northeastern University, the place getting condoms and emergency contraception is as simple as getting Skittles or a bottle of water – and we’re so extremely proud.

After months of advocacy and planning, Northeastern has lastly accepted and put in a brand new type of merchandising machine on the primary flooring of Marino Gym: one centered on wellness. Products embrace free sexual well being provides, free menstrual merchandise, low-cost medicines like Advil and Tylenol, and maybe most importantly, generic Plan B emergency contraceptive drugs. These emergency contraceptives, which can be solely $7 within the merchandising machine, will not be solely extra accessible to college students and group members bodily, but in addition rather more reasonably priced than the everyday $40 to $50 costs on the common pharmacy. 

Emergency contraceptives are an efficient, secure, and necessary medicine that may be taken after unprotected intercourse or intercourse the place protecting measures could have failed. Before now, college students might solely get emergency contraceptives by making an appointment on the clinic or heading off campus. But occasions are altering. Offering these within the merchandising machine is breaking down an enormous barrier to entry.

It’s been a success too. In simply the primary week, the complete merchandising machine was purchased out and restocked twice, exhibiting the essential want for these assets amongst college students. Additionally, the discounted and free provides aren’t simply restricted to Northeastern college students. Anybody from our group can get hold of these important wellness assets at-will and at-need, in a constructing open a minimum of 18 hours daily. 

The merchandising machine was put in in Marino partially resulting from advocacy from SHARE, the on-campus membership for sexual well being, advocacy, assets, and schooling. All of the above accessibility features are important parts to SHARE’s central objectives for the merchandising machine: furthering reproductive justice and care in our group.

What is reproductive justice? Well, it’s extra than simply abortion rights, although that’s one heavy focus in our present advocacy. Reproductive justice is a essential feminist framework that defends the human rights all of us share: to keep up private bodily autonomy, to have kids, to not have kids, and to develop up in secure and sustainable communities. It encompasses greater than the political and authorized spheres, but in addition the financial, social, and well being elements that impression our collective and deeply private reproductive and sexual alternative skills.

This framework guides every little thing we do in SHARE. Now, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June resulting in a authorized patchwork of abortion restrictions and reproductive care entry throughout the nation, college students at Northeastern have entry to an important useful resource that we didn’t earlier than. And that feels actually good.

The work doesn’t finish although, and there’s at all times extra to be carried out. We are working to guarantee that the merchandising machine is stocked and stuffed always to fulfill demand. Northeastern can be discussing establishing the same wellness merchandising machine on the new Mills College and Charlotte campuses. Additionally, with the current passage of Bill H.5090 via the Massachusetts legislature – which expands and protects reproductive and gender-affirming well being care within the Commonwealth – SHARE and the college are in dialogue about easy methods to convey medical abortion choices to campus, a requirement positioned upon public, higher-ed establishments in Massachusetts by the laws. The work earlier than us is thrilling and extra necessary than ever.

This reproductive justice victory is the fruits of months of advocacy and planning between SHARE, University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) and the Office of Prevention and Education at Northeastern (OPEN). We are grateful for this partnership and grateful to each scholar who participated in efforts to make this merchandising machine a actuality. And above all, we’re past grateful that Northeastern group members now have the entry to emergency contraception that each group deserves. Let’s sustain the combat.

NOTE: Students can even buy the Emergency Contraception on the UHCS entrance desk throughout workplace hours or ask questions concerning the medicine. UHCS additionally gives prescriptions for the Ella capsule, an emergency contraceptive that has a extra inclusive weight restrict, if college students make an appointment within the workplace.