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The SAFC finally updated their policy and agreed to fund our safe sex supplies. It took years of arguing over definitions for them to see what we knew all along. Thank you for staying with me until we finally made them listen.

January 3, 2010

SAFC Should Fund SAFE's Sexual Health Supplies

SAFC Should Fund SAFE's Sexual Health Supplies

🏆 Won — 276 supporters Verified

Final supporters

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Anna P.
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Mara P.
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Catherine L.
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Colleen C.
A
Adam B.
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Leigh M.
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Someone
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Ryan
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Jessy C.
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Daniel
+266 more
Started by Anonymous 16 years, 9 months ago
The Student Assembly Finance Commission (SAFC) claims to fund over 350 student organizations that are registered at Cornell University. Sexual Awareness for Everyone (SAFE) is one such organization that turns to the SAFC for financial support in order to be able to continue serving the Cornell community. For the last twelve years, SAFE has worked to raise awareness, especially about HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and promote safe sex practices through a variety of workshops and events on and around the Cornell campus. One of the most crucial aspects of SAFE is the regular distribution of condoms & safe sex supplies (e.g. dental dams) on campus and in Collegetown bars. During our entire involvement in SAFE while at Cornell, the SAFC has refused to fund these items on the basis that they are â"perishable." With regard to durable goods, the SAFC states that it "funds consumer goods that are typically used repeatedly over a period of years and are able to exist without significant deterioration or are necessary for a group's purpose." Understanding that condoms have a shelf life of several years, we believe that the SAFC should fund these much-needed (and relatively inexpensive) goods since they are essential to our organization's activities. After our petition last year along with several other clubs' concerns, the SAFC added the clause "necessary for a group's purpose." However, they argue that safe sex supplies are not necessary for our "group's survival", although all of our programing is based upon these supplies. In addition, they believe that these items are EASILY accessible at Gannett Health Services and Planned Parenthood without taking into consideration that not all students have access to transportation to Planned Parenthood or feel comfortable walking into Gannett to obtain the limited 2 free condoms (per visit, implying that they must be patients at that time). Furthermore, Gannett does not provide free supplies outside of condoms, we feel ignoring certain needs of particular portions of the student population. We urge the SAFC to reconsider their decision and realize that it is in the interest of the entire Cornell community to encourage, rather than hinder, the use of prophylactics.

Updates

October 7, 2009

The refusal to fund these supplies ignores the reality of student life on this campus. I have been spending my nights reviewing the guidelines and drafting a formal rebuttal to the latest excuse from the commission. This effort is about making sure students can access the basic health tools they need without the red tape getting in the way.

October 7, 2009

Seeing this kind of momentum feels surreal because it proves that this campus recognizes how essential these supplies are for our health and safety. It is deeply validating to know that so many of you agree our work deserves real institutional support.

Reached 100 supporters

October 7, 2009

6 Comments

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Sarah Jensen
16 years ago Featured

This is ridiculous. Condoms are a basic health necessity on campus & the university needs to stop acting like they aren't.

M
Mark Malhotra
16 years ago Featured

The safc needs to get their priorities straight. safe does way more for student health than half the clubs getting full funding.

E
Elena Lowe
16 years ago Featured

ridiculous technicalities to deny money for something so important. support safe students!

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David Wright
16 years ago Featured

Just fund the condoms. Its a tiny cost for the school compared to the benefit.

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Brian Hunt
16 years ago Featured

literally makes zero sense. stuff like this saves lives and prevents health issues. pay for the supplies!

J
Jessica Cho
16 years ago Featured

How can you say they aren't necessary? Sexual health is a huge part of student life. FUND THEM.

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