St Hilda’s first college to install vending machine in wake of condom pricking
St Hilda’s JCR have bought a condom vending machine to ensure that their welfare supplies are safe from sabotage. The move comes after Trinity’s supply of condoms was pricked by a syringe in second week this term, as reported in this newspaper. Nicky Ellis, Student Union Vice-President (Welfare), recently e-mailed women’s officers throughout the University to gauge support for placing a bulk order for condom machines, but some have yet to buy them.
Queen’s College already has vending machines in both buildings where first years live, but they are not free. Wadham Women’s Officer Gina Degraaff was surprised that other colleges had not already installed them, “They seem absolutely essential to me,” she commented. St Hilda’s hope to have the new machine installed by 0th week next term.
Despite no condom sabotage having occurred, Welfare Representative Sophie Mcdonnell told The Oxford Student: “Our old system of having condoms in a bowl in the toilets was not very practical”. She added the machine would vend very cheaply, with around 5 pence per packet profit, which will go towards maintenance of the machine. The move has not been wholly popular with students, as it means free condoms are not available at all times.
One first year commented that it meant, “whoever was piercing condoms has won ... they are less readily available than they were."
9th Jun 2005