Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald, Tuesday, December 5, 1989
Dan Evans, Herald Correspondent
Though school administrators have rejected similar recommendations the last two years, Bryan said UF must show the nation it is interested in combating AIDS.
"I don't think installing condom machines will make a major contribution to the prevention of AIDS," Bryan said. "But it shows that the university is concerned about AIDS. I think it's largely a symbolic gesture."
The machines will be installed next semester in restrooms in dormitories and some other university buildings.
The issue of condom machines in restrooms is not new. The task force recommended in October 1987 to install the machines. Two university vice presidents rejected the idea before it went to the school president, saying condoms were available at the student health center's pharmacy and at local stores.
When the issue rose again in October 1988, former UF president Marshall Criser agreed to allow the sale of condoms in campus stores, but not in restrooms. Criser said students should be responsible enough to buy them ahead of time in stores.
Bryan, who wasn't involved in the previous decisions, said he's always supported the idea and was inspired by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop's speech on campus two weeks ago.
Bryan said, "It seems to me the need to put them there was always there. I think the thing that tipped the scales was the visit by Dr. Koop."
Koop stressed the importance of AIDS education and attended a meeting of the campus Task Force on AIDS and HIV Infection. At that meeting, the task force unanimously agreed to support condom machines and once again take their recommendation to administrators.
The task force was more confident this year after a UF professor's study said students are more likely to buy condoms from machines than at stores.
Senior Jason Rosenberg, task force member and Student Government health cabinet director, said condom machines will be more educational than practical.
"If one person uses them, and we save one life, then that's great," he said. "But I see it more as increasing awareness. We're here to educate and a good part of this decision is educational.
Bryan plans to meet with vice presidents this week to work out specifics on where and when students can expect to see the new machines.
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