After a brief absence caused by administrative miscommunication, The Pack has returned to snack vending machines.
Last month, Student Health officials removed The Pack, a packet containing two condoms, lubricant and instructions, from 14 snack vending machines in residential areas. After an evaluation of all condom vending methods, the decision was based on what officials thought was prohibitive cost. Officials also removed quarter-operated condom dispensing machines located in dormitory bathrooms because of unreliable equipment, vandalism and high cost.
Approximately 1,500 condoms were sold through snack vending machines last year, while about 1,000 were sold via the 120 bathroom vending machines.
The snack vending machine sales were terminated after Student Health officials calculated that selling The Pack in 17 snack vending machines this year would cost approximately $12,000, a $7,000 increase from last year's price.
But the information on which the calculations were based was not a price quote, said Jim Wilkerson, director of Stores Operations, which oversees the vending machines. After discussion with Student Health, Stores Operations offered to reinstall The Pack in 21 snack vending machines and lower the cost from 60 cents per pack to 45 cents per pack. These services will be provided at no charge to Student Health, who will furnish Stores Operations with the condoms.
Lisa Barber-Murphy, a health educator at Student Health, said she was pleased with the decision, adding that the snack machines will provide a needed service for students.
Wilkerson also said that the change was a positive one, regardless of the cost involved for Stores Operations. "Anything we do in Duke Stores that benefits Duke students--that's what we want to do," Wilkerson said. "If we support Duke students, it's good for us, regardless of the financial situation."
Some students said that return of The Pack is a positive change, citing accessibility as an important factor in obtaining condoms.
"I do think that having condoms in vending machines is a good idea but only when it is financially reasonable for the Healthy Devil," said Trinity sophomore Kristina Graff, a peer health educator, adding that she felt the decision to remove them was carefully evaluated.
Student Health is continuing to look for alternate means of providing students with access to condoms, such as through volunteers in dorms and selective living groups. Barber-Murphy said she hopes to meet with students next semester to garner input about how and where condoms should be made available. The primary target of condom distribution next semester will be dormitories which do not currently house snack vending machines, she said.
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