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Syracuse University’s Student Association introduced a resolution supporting increased access to birth control and reproductive health services on campus during its Monday meeting.

The resolution encourages SU administration to stockpile contraceptive products and create a resource packet for students with reproductive healthcare information. SA Speaker Pro-Tempore Tim Wong, who authored the document, said its goal is to provide a lasting solution for SU and SUNY ESF students amid uncertainties about access to reproductive healthcare nationwide.

“I think a lot of people are understandably pretty anxious, and I’ve had conversations with a lot of these groups on campus, and I was interviewed about accessibility to some of these products,” Wong said.

SA has supplied menstrual products and dispensers for the university since 2022. In February, the association worked with the Barnes Center at The Arch to increase availability of birth control contraceptive resources through contraceptive vending machines. The original initiative aimed to offer free emergency contraceptive tablets and pregnancy tests, though those resources were not included.

In August, NY Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill requiring public universities to provide menstrual products on their campuses. As a private university, SU is not obligated to pay for the products.

After Hochul passed the legislation, SA President German Nolivos hoped SU administrators would follow the governor’s “call to action,” he said in a statement sent to The Daily Orange.

The resolution is a framework created by other students and graduates, featuring intentionally vague language, Wong said, as it will take some time to cement the plan and the association needs to decide what products and services to fund. He also said that eventually, SA hopes the university will cover the expenses of the included products.

“My goal is to start working on an ongoing basis with the university to cover this as an ongoing expense, rather than for one, one-time thing that the Student Association does,” Wong said.

Nolivos voiced his support, saying the initiative is “very important.” The resolution will be voted on next week, Speaker of the Assembly Kennedy Williams said.

SA’s next meeting will also feature a town hall style to discuss student athletics and Name, Image and Likeness deals. The SU Senate’s Committee on Athletic Policy is working with SA to collect student perspectives on the issue and craft legislation.

Last month, SU Chancellor Kent Syverud shared a settlement by California’s district court allowing universities to allocate a total of $20 million to pay student-athletes with SU’s Senate. During Monday’s meeting, assembly members expressed concerns about the exploitation of student-athletes and the financial burden NIL places on universities.

Multiple members of SU’s administration, including Syverud, Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves, ACC & NCAA Representative Mary Graham, General Counsel Abby Perer, Co-Chairs of the Senate Committee Jodi Upton and Craig Tucker and various student-athletes will be present for the meeting.

Other Business:

• The assembly passed the Greek Council Collaboration bill to raise awareness and provide education about sexual assault prevention and support for survivors. They also passed the Caste Resolution, which would add caste to the coverage of the university’s anti-discrimination policy.
• The assembly voted on Executive Officer stipends and the Deputy Officer stipends during a closed session during Monday’s meeting

Published on December 3, 2024 at 1:03 am

Contact Sydney: sadepiet@syr.edu