The Health and Wellness Center Provide Vending Machines Across Campus
Have you ever found yourself in need of contraceptives, overdose prevention materials, or a first aid kit on campus? The Health and Wellness Center has a new solution. However, let’s dive into how we got here first.
Over the past few years, the Health and Wellness Center noticed students mentioning that their high school classes weren’t informative when it came to sexual health education. In addition, there was an uptick of students coming in seeking HIV and STI testing. In response, the center tried several outreach strategies: hosting testing drives, bringing in outside providers offering completely anonymous testing, and other community-based efforts.
While those attempts were meaningful, they didn’t bring in the numbers the center was hoping for—often a similar number to the amount they would receive from students walking in—but as federal political discourse began shifting away from inclusive public health policy, Massachusetts moved in the opposite direction, doubling down on access and education. With support from state grants, state funding, and a commitment to serving the larger BSU community, the Health and Wellness Center saw an opportunity to not only educate BSU students but support them as well.
These installed vending machines across campus are stocked with essential health supplies, operating on two principles: that people take only what they need and that it is free. They are currently located in two spots: the Maxwell Library, accessible during library hours, and the Weygand Commuter Lounge, which is now open 24/7 with your Connect Card. All students need to do is scan the QR code, enter a pin, then order the item they are looking for. Additionally, the initiative is aimed at reducing the stigma that often prevents students from seeking out these resources in person. Since installation, the library location has already seen steady traffic. The Weygand Commuter Lounge machine remains open to the public for access to the supplies, though it continues to function primarily as a commuter space. The vending machines represent a broader effort to meet students where they are, quietly and without judgment, whenever they need it most. BSU has your back.
