OSU ranks 17 in Sexual Health Survey

Beavers slide from previous fifth-place ranking on sex test; accessibility, promotion, online help,

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Posted: 9/19/07

In the recent national ranking of the 2007 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card, Oregon State has fallen short.

Last year, OSU landed in the top five. This year, the university dropped to number 17, still making the top 20 out of 139 ranked colleges and universities.

This is the second year that Trojan Condoms produced its national report card. Sperling's BestPlaces, a Portland-based firm, conducted the study for Trojan.

This year's top-ranking school is the University of Minnesota, jumping to the top from its previous rank of 54. Behind the University of Minnesota is the University of Wyoming, which was ranked 92 in the previous report card.

The University of Oregon, which ranked 77th in 2006, pulled a ranking of 15 this year. For 2007, the system by which schools were ranked expanded to include additional areas for judging.

"[There's] a broader data collection method, like live health center interviews, Web reviews and student polls," a Trojan press release said. "The 2007 Trojan Sexual Health Report Card tells a different story from last year."

Schools were judged by researchers who looked at student health centers and reviewed their websites. They gave each school a grade point average, which was determined by 11 categories: sexual health awareness programs, condom and contraception availability, HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection testing, student health center hours of operation, drop-in versus appointment-based service, navigability and usability of Web-based sexual health information, anonymous advice/newspaper columns, lecture outreach programs, student peer groups and sexual assault programs.

OSU received a grade point average of 3.36 - a .55 difference from the University of Minnesota's 3.91 grade point average.

A new aspect of the survey this year was the addition of online surveys for students. The surveys generated more then 3,300 student responses. However, the surveys were not incorporated or influential to the rankings, but were meant to "point to the opportunity for health centers on campus to evolve how they meet the needs of their students."

"Thirty-two percent of students polled said they would not consider contacting their student health center for health concerns," the Trojan press release said. "Another 66 percent said their health centers are 'doing a good job.' However, 53 percent agreed their centers could improve."

Research for the rankings was conducted from April to June. This year's report card also takes part in Trojan's "Evolve" campaign, a sexual health campaign using multimedia components to promote responsible behavior and respect for your partner.

OSU's Student Health Services offers students clinical and support services in areas such as dermatology, gynecology, orthopedics, psychiatry and surgery, along with additional help from advice nurses. SHS also provides sports medicine and physical therapy.

SHS is located at the Plageman Building, and its hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. SHS is closed on Sundays.