Northwestern University in Illinois is on the verge of installing a “reproductive vending machine” in its student center, the university’s student newspaper reported Oct. 22.
According to The Daily Northwestern, the vending machine, which was expected to arrive on campus sometime in early November, will contain a variety of products, including Narcan, urine test strips, Plan B, condoms, tampons, and lube. The products will be free to students, with some limits.
The student government’s Health and Wellness committee worked to obtain and stock the vending machine, and the machine will enable “drug safety, sexual wellbeing and reproductive health,” according to the newspaper. Tess Benser, assistant director of outreach and sexual wellness at the Center for Student Advocacy and Wellness, helped the students decide which products to include.
The College Fix reported that pro-life organizations have criticized the vending machine. Anna Kinskey, who is the executive director of pro-life organization weDignify, told The College Fix, “If the university is going to make these products available, it also has a responsibility to educate students truthfully about what they do and the lives that may be affected by them.”
She added that Plan B has the potential to end the life of an unborn baby, rather than simply prevent conception.
“Having Plan B in a vending machine sends a message to students that this is something you’re likely to need during your time here at Northwestern,” Matt Yonke, chief operating officer of Pro-Life Action League, told The College Fix. “Is that really a message we want to be sending? Stocking vending machines with Plan B instead of educating students on pregnancy prevention seems like lazy leadership on the part of the supposed adults in the room.”
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