To the Editor:
The availability of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives—like Plan B or the Morning
After Pill—in wellness machines on campus will improve access to essential health care resources. In fact, emergency contraception may avert 60% to 80% of unintended pregnancies in women aged 18 to 24.
Brooklyn College is lucky enough to have a Health Clinic that supplies birth control, including
emergency contraception. However, many students are unaware of the existence of the Health Clinic, and its hours may conflict with students’ classes or jobs. By placing Emergency Contraceptives in vending machines on our campus, we can ensure its accessibility for all students for more hours than what our health center offers.
Vending machines on college campuses offer a convenient solution, allowing people to obtain
low-cost emergency contraceptives discreetly. These machines can stock not only emergency
contraceptives but also menstrual products and other essentials. Proof of concept already
exists on 16 campuses in New York—including John Jay College, a fellow CUNY—and 129
campuses across the country, proving that this model can work effectively.
Having emergency contraceptive vending machines will provide peace of mind, ensuring
that individuals can access the resources they need when they need them most, without
hesitation.
To overcome barriers, address disparities, and enhance accessibility, we must prioritize
placing emergency contraceptive vending machines on college campuses.
Sydney Cardieri
Associate Board Member
NY Birth Control Access Project