SAFE SEX Motion Approved

By: Jennifer Bladykas
Posted In: News

Salve Student Senator, Tarra Delchiaro knew there were going to be some bumps along the way when she started advocating for sex safe on campus.

However, with the help of another Senator, she decided to speak up in a Student Government Association meeting and make a motion towards starting a committee that would provide students with resources and education about safe sexual practices.

After educating herself by speaking with Health Services and researching facts online, Delchiaro felt that students who didn’t chose to visit Health Services or participate in those programs still deserved resources on safe sex education.

So, when Student Government passed her motion, Delchiaro, armed with five student chair members and a drive to inform, SAFE SEX was set into motion.

Even with the support of the Student Government Association, controversy is something that Delchiaro feels she can handle.

“Bottom line, something needs to be done,” says Delchiaro. “People told me I was going to hit roadblocks, but at the very least, I want to make sure students are represented if they choose not to go to Health Services.”

According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, in 2003, there were 269 reported cases of gonorrhea in the 20-24 age group alone.

The number of reported syphilis cases rose 82% between 2002 and 2003 for the entire state and approximately 3,000 reported cases of chlamydia made for a 5.9% increase in 2003.

As the statistics attest, students are unfortunately not immune to this growing number and there are concerns.

“It’s definitely been an issue in the back of my mind because I mean it is college and stuff does happen,” says Kristina Ciccolo, a senior at Salve.

Mary Kay Connell, a Nurse Practitioner at Health Services is aware of these statistics and the concerns of students like Ciccolo.

“However, I don’t believe our students have a higher incident than any other college,” says Connell, who makes a point of educating students with any concern, STD or other when they visit her office.

But, for those students who might not visit Health Services, Connell is in agreement with Delchiaro.

“Students help better advertise doing programs,” says Connell, whose most important objective is keeping students informed and safe. An alliance with SAFE SEX would allow Health Services resources to reach even more students on campus, she explains.

For Delchiaro, the next step is to meet with SGA to see where SAFE SEX can go.

“No one pays attention to a problem until you need it,” says Delchiaro, who would like to set up a hotline that would allow students adequate help and information when they needed it. “Some students do not want to go through the methods that are already in place, we’re offering an alternative.”

“As a tour guide, it would be great to let prospective students know that there is more than one option out there at Salve,” says Bethany Morneault, a sophomore tour guide. “I think the SAFE SEX committee will help students who need peer support and education.”

Delchiaro and her committee plan to meet before Student Government to express their concerns about integrating SAFE SEX into the University. While Delchiaro realizes the Catholic environment, she also recognizes the importance of being honest and comprising.

“At the very least we’ll be teaching education and prevention and basically, that’s our biggest thing.”

To find out more information about the SAFE SEX committee, you may contact Delchiaro at tarra.delchiaro@salve.edu.