Beginning this academic year, a vending machine providing free Plan B, along with condoms, lubricant, pregnancy tests, Covid-19 antigen tests, ibuprofen and other health products, is located on the third floor of the Peter Buck Center for Health and Fitness. Students have access to the vending machine 24 hours a day, according to the director of Health Services, and it is free of charge.

We believe this installment prioritizes the importance of a private and financially equitable approach to reproductive health.

Before the installation of the vending machine, students had to approach the front desk of Health Services to ask for Plan B, meaning the emergency contraceptive was only available during the standard 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday hours.

The change makes it easy for students to seek out and get Plan B with the privacy that many people might want. The machine’s placement on the third floor of Buck—rather than in Smith Union, where the Covid-19 test kit vending machine was once placed—allows students to retrieve the contraception in a less crowded environment. In addition to the private setting, a student’s OneCard History won’t show that they got Plan B, only that they used Health Services’ vending machine.

The Bowdoin Reproductive Justice Coalition (BRJC), in collaboration with Director of Health Services Christine Mahoney, spearheaded the initiative to offer Plan B in an accessible way to the College. We applaud BRJC for their continued advocacy for reproductive health access for the student body.

Prior to the installment of the vending machine, Plan B was rarely promoted to students. The occasional opportunity where Plan B was advertised occurred only once or twice each semester. Plan B Day, as Bowdoin Peer Health calls it, was held on Coe Quad early in the fall semester. In addition to Plan B, sexual health products such as condoms, lube and dental dams were sprawled out on the table.

Although this event was a good chance for students to access these products, specifically Plan B, without charge, the location did not allow for any privacy. A student in genuine need or want of Plan B would likely not stop by on their way to lunch to grab a Plan B, as it’s often considered taboo to use emergency contraception.

Another event Bowdoin Peer Health has hosted is Sex Fest, which was held last year in Smith Union. Much like Plan B Day, the event included colorful decorations and giveaways as well as a variety of contraceptives. But some people might not want to get Plan B in such a public space.

The change also relieves students of financial stress, since they will no longer have to purchase their own Plan B when Health Services is closed.

Reproductive health is just as important as other kinds of health, and we applaud BRJC for its advocacy and Health Services for meeting students’ needs.

This editorial represents the view of the Editorial Board, which is comprised of Chayma Charifi, Catalina Escobedo, Ella Ferrucci, Nikki Harris, Kristen Kinzler and Vaughn Vial.