Currently, condoms are available at 18 locations that the sexual health group calls “Safe Sites.”
But on March 15, Boston College officials sent a letter that was signed by the dean of students, Paul J. Chebator, and the director of residence life, George Arey, telling the group that disciplinary action could be in store.
According to a copy shared by the Globe, a portion of the e-mail reads, “While we understand that you may not be intentionally violating university policy, we do need to advise you that should we receive any reports that you are, in fact, distributing condoms on campus, the matter would be referred to the student conduct office for disciplinary action by the university.”
Students who are a part of the group distributing male and female condoms said that they were surprised by the letter, especially considering the claim that the school has known about the program since its 2009 inception.
After the letter was sent, the local American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) branch got involved in the spat, threatening legal action over the note. Sarah Wunsch, an attorney for the group’s Massachusetts office, told the Globe that the college may be violating the law.
“I am very disturbed, and the students have rights that are at stake here,” she said. “We’re up to a fight, if they are up for a fight, but we’d rather not fight about this.”