Petrina J. Roudebush / Roundup
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the Student Health Center helps to inform and educate students about safe sex with chocolate candy Kisses and free condoms.
Debbie Sargent, nurse practitioner at Pierce College, and Jay Fearn, student worker at the health center, were on the campus mall yesterday giving out free condoms, information pamphlets on sexually transmitted diseases and candy to every student and teacher who came to the “Kisses N’ Condoms” booth.
Sargent stated that the reason for passing out the condoms was to “promote safe sex and awareness… and to let the students know we are here to help (them).”
Students are welcome to go to the Student Health Center at any time to receive free condoms, first aid and health information. They also provide psychological services, family planning services, physical exams, crisis intervention and much more.
“A lot of students are not aware that they can see the nurse practitioner on campus for free” said Sargent.
It is recommended to make an appointment in advance to see any of the nurses or doctors in the Student Health Center.
Fearn said, “(It is) really good to create awareness among young people to be safe and be checked for sexually transmitted disease.”
On Monday the Student Health Center was also on campus distributing condoms, candy and sexual awareness information.
The turnout of students was more than expected, said Sargent.
Shortly before Sargent and Fearn were going to pack up the booth, Pierce President Robert Garber came by to support the cause and get free chocolate Kisses and candy.
Garber stated, though there have been some calls from concerned parents in the past for giving away condoms, this is a good program and it helps inform many people.
The Student Health Center is located in the Campus Center next to the cafeteria. The center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For any questions students can call (818) 710-4270, visit the Pierce College Web site or visit the center to schedule an appointment to see one of the staff members.
Though the Health Center is open to students during office hours, chocolate candy will no longer be available unless students bring their own.
Jay Fearn, student worker for Pierce College?s Student Health Center, passes out chocolate candy kisses, heart shaped stress balls, condoms and health pamphlets in front of the Student Community Center Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009 as part of the health center?s ?Kisses N’ Condoms? event. Laarni Ramirez and Desuree Azaula, both nursing majors, collect information about the event and packages. Photo by ()
