CU Boulder’s student government (CUSG) collectively that funds and provides free and subsidized emergency contraceptives on campus.
The bill will be implemented and funded completely under the Wardenburg Health Center, where emergency contraceptive medication will be accessible with a student ID at the center’s pharmacy. CUSG will collaborate with the center to provide and advertise free emergency contraceptives.
Looking ahead, the legislation specifies the medication will be sold for a nominal fee at various campus food and convenience stores.
“We want to make sure that everyone has the resources they need to get the education they want — and be as accomplished as they want to be,” said Nimisha Mallela (MCDBio’24), CUSG’s health and safety chair and co-author of the bill, along with Elizabeth Craig (±Ę´Ç±ôł§ł¦ľ±â€™25).
There are a lot of intersecting reasons for why this bill is important, said Mallela.Â
“Looking at the stats, unintended pregnancies are the highest among the college population,” along with the fact that this population typically lives on a tight budget, she said. “With many students responsible for their tuition, the high cost of emergency contraception can create a dire situation.”Â
Mallela, also a Students Against Campus Sexual Assault board member, added that sexual assault is also a big problem on college campuses.Â
“Having to pay $50 for a pill — that might as well determine one’s future — due to something that they couldn't control is definitely another situation to consider,” she said. “Supporting people with reproductive needs and emphasizing that their rights and needs are taken care of on CU Boulder’s campus — when it could be threatened on a national level — is definitely important.”
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