By Sue Byun, News Editor -

BC Students for Sexual Health (BCSSH) have been offering  “Responsible Party Kits,” comprised of a bundle of solo cups with a condom taped to the bottom of each and flyers that provide safer sex information on a range of topics, from condom use, STIs, and consent.

BCSSH is an organization dedicated to improving sexual health education and resources available at Boston College. Demand for the group’s goods has been high; since its inception last year, they have handed out over ten thousand condoms through Safe Sites and distribution days on College Road.

The goal of the party kits is to integrate safe sex practice into students’ personal weekend lives in a way that is more relevant particular to legal drinking age upperclassmen who are most likely to host parties on the weekends.

“We are constantly brainstorming new ways to provide students safer sex resources. By capitalizing on students’ need for and love of free things, we are able to reach a larger audience,” said Alicia Johnson, A&S ‘11.

“Students love getting solo cups for free. We have given out over a dozen party kits so far, and have had a very positive response,” Johnson said.

Nationally, public health activists say condoms are crucial in the war against HIV and STDs, while social conservatives claim that condoms are not very effective in preventing disease and also contribute to increased promiscuity.

In the face of this debate over the role condoms play in public health, particularly for youth, BCSSH has been focusing on making resources – preventative and educational – available to students and letting them decide what they will.

“We want to continue to normalize the presence and use of condoms,” Johnson said.

Although BCSSH’s other two systems of Safe Sites and distribution days have been highly successful in reaching all parts of campus, the party kits are more discrete because they eliminate the awkwardness of knocking on a safe site and leaving with condoms in hand.

To request a Responsible Party Kit, students fill out an online form with their dorm room information, email, and whether they are 21 years of age. Then members of BCSSH schedule a time to delivery the kit directly to the student.

The kits are freely available to any BC student as long as they agree to hang the safe sex flyers in a prominent place at their party: on the fridge, on the wall, etc.