It’s the heat of the moment; visceral hands slide across each other’s bodies, clothes drape uselessly over the bedpost, and the cold sheets rumple, pulled this way and that by the unpredictable shifting of the weight upon them.
At the height of sensuality, one of them asks, “Do you have one?” He reaches over, fishes around his desk drawer for the ever so important deal-breaker and comes up empty.

That’s the point when SF State students kick him out of their beds.

According a recent [X]Press sex survey, of the 100 students asked, 94 percent who admit to engaging in sexual activity consistently use some type of contraceptive. Few, however, take the time to pick up free condoms at the SF State Student Health Center.

While 62 percent of the participants knew that the health center offered free condoms, only 24 percent actually took advantage of it, according to the inquiry.

“The young tend to be spontaneous,” said business administration major, Brandon Medina, 22, “so when those condoms are needed, the are unavailable. When they aren’t needed, they are made available. The health center is open between [approximately] eight to five, and most sex takes place around late night and into the early morning.”

Sixty-four females and 36 males participated in the survey, roughly the same percentage of men and women in the 29, 686 student body during the 2003-2004 school year. Students answered seven questions, including whether or not they are sexually active and if they have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or pregnancy scare, the latter to which 35 people attested.

Albert Angelo, Health Educator in the health center, said he sees no reason to fret over the low number of students taking the free condoms.

“We’re at the belief that the health center is a mere opportunity for free condoms,” said Angelo.

In fact, he said, the health center is not on a crusade to make sure every sexually active student uses protection. Giving away condoms brings down the health center’s costs by cutting administrative taxes, he said.

“We didn’t change our policy for promoting safer sex,” said Angelo. “The goal overall is still to continue offering an option to be safe.”

According to Angelo, the health center gives away Lifestyle-brand latex condoms during normal office hours, and while it generally limits students to three condoms a visit, those who ask for a couple more probably wouldn’t be denied.

Some students expressed their own opinions on the importance of having free condoms available at school.

“College students are a very sexually active group,” said Sam Palmer, a 23-year-old music education major. “If students know there’s a place on campus where they can pick up contraceptives discreetly, they’ll go pick them up.”
Palmer also said that despite the use of other contraceptives, condoms are still necessary.

“You have to use [condoms] every time you have sex,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you have a vasectomy or she’s on birth control. Because of STD’s, you have to use them 100 percent of the time.”

Freshman Shelly Austin, 18, said that using contraceptives is a sign of maturity, and that protection just makes sense.

“For a minute of gratification, you might have to deal with bigger problems,” said Austin. “[A condom] only takes a minute to put on. There’s no excuse.”
Angelo said he hopes that after students see the results of the survey, more will become aware of the health center’s gift and take advantage of it. He also said that the high percentage of SF State students who, according to the survey, practice safe sex shows a lot about students’ self worth and dedication to their goals.

“[Students] are looking at their lives,” said Angelo. “Pregnancy and STD’s are not something they want. It shows they’re valuing their bodies and future. You only protect what you think is worth protecting.”