In an effort to promote safer sex, Wellness and Health Promotion recently added 23 condom vending machines to several restrooms on campus.
During the summer, Wellness and Health Promotion -- a division of the Student Health and Wellness Center -- added machines to the men's and women's restrooms in the Matthews Center and replaced old condom machines in some residence halls.
Previously, condom vending machines could only be found in residence halls, the Student Recreation Complex, and the Student Health and Wellness Center.
Director of Wellness and Health Promotion Karen Moses said Matthews Center is a good location for a condom vending machine because it is a central building where a lot of students gather. The Matthews Center houses the Disability Resource Center, ASU Student Media and the Arts, Media and Engineering Program.
"One of our emphases this year is to make sure that we're serving the needs of diverse students, and Matthews Center is a place that provides services to students with disabilities," Moses said.
The addition of the vending machine to the Matthews Center was part of a collaboration that Wellness and Health Promotions is establishing with the Disability Resource Center, said Freddy Roman, assistant director of Wellness and Health Promotion.
"I think it's important to have condoms available and also affordable to students," Roman said.
Communication freshman Tom Winterbottom, who was in the Disability Resource Center Wednesday, said he did not agree with sex before marriage but understood the need for the vending machines.
"I know stuff happens, and sometimes you just happen to be naked," he said.
There are now 43 condom vending machines on campus, Roman said.
Reach the reporter at jourdan.rassas@asu.edu.
