CSUN Student Union OKs Condom Vending Machines

In an effort to help stem the spread of AIDS, vending machines dispensing condoms will be installed in restrooms for men and women in the Student Union at California State University, Northridge, the union’s governing board has decided.

The 15-member board of student, faculty and administration representatives last week unanimously approved the plan, which had been proposed by a student committee.

The student union’s board of directors also voted to distribute pamphlets about AIDS at the building’s information desk and approved a study of the desirability of conducting an educational program on “safe sex.”

“These are special times,” said Dean of Students Edmund Peckham. “There are special needs and special answers. There is a need for the entire student body to be aware of AIDS.”

The only opposition to the condom measure came in a letter to the board from Jose A. Hernandez, coordinator of the school’s urban studies program.

“Studies have shown that condoms are ineffective about 30% of the time,” Hernandez wrote. He argued that the university could be exposing itself “to multimillion-dollar lawsuits.”

Earlier, the dean had opposed the Student Union vending machines because they would be accessible to anyone on campus, including minors. He had favored dispensers at the Student Health Service.

Condoms are now available at the Student Health Service only by prescription.