Plan B One-Step, an emergency contraceptive pill, is now accessible to all F&M students. Students in need of the pill can now avoid the $40-$50 retail price, as it is readily available in the Student Wellness Center, tabling in CC, or the WEVP Office.
If students make an appointment with a nurse at the Student Wellness Center, the appointment is cost-free because their insurance will not be charged. On April 1 and April 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the pill will be available in CC. It is currently available in Harris 002 on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
So what inspired this newfound access? The Office of Student Wellness and Violence Prevention aims to “provide education and resources for the campus community on topics such as sexual and relationship violence, healthy relationships, mental health, bystander intervention, sexual health, among other topics ” and requires Peer Health Educators to create a semester-long project. After visiting her friend at a college with free Plan B, Peer Health Educator, Nayelli Whitehead ‘27, knew what her project would be.
“What surprised me the most when I started this journey was that getting the free Plan B was actually the easiest part,” said Whitehead. A nonprofit organization, the American Society for Emergency Contraception, connected her with resources from Plan B. Plan B frequently donates to college and university campuses.
“Unfortunately, female reproductive rights are political,” said Whitehead. “Which I strongly disagree with but it’s where we’re at.”
Whitehead wants to “break the stigma” toward reproductive health. Occasionally, she can sense the taboo nature of the subject while tabling for her peers. However, she is incredibly grateful for the chance to pursue her work as she believes “this medication can drastically change someone’s life and give them personal power.” And that is nothing to feel a stigma about.
Sophomore Lily Andrey is Editor in Chief. Her email is landrey@fandm.edu