Since 2005, DePaul University in Chicago, IL - the largest Catholic university in America - has forbidden the distribution of contraceptives of any type (including internal and external condoms, Plan B, birth control, and more) on university premises. This policy was last revisited in 2016, which resulted in the addition of a stipulation allowing for the education of contraception with the caveat that “Catholic teachings be provided as a part of these programs.” Although multiple student groups have tried to bring the issue up to staff before, the ban has not been lifted since its implementation. To put it frankly, keeping students' sexual health safe is banned on-campus.

However, we are actively working to talk to administration on this issue and proposing a new policy written by Student Government Association (SGA) and Planned Parenthood Generation Action at DePaul (PPGADPU) to DePaul staff that permits the distribution of contraception while respecting the university’s Catholic identity. Although we are actively trying to have these conversations, they are constantly delayed and we may not get another chance like this anytime soon. This is a school-wide issue that affects all members of the student body and we need all the support we can get. Together, we have the potential to finally enact change that could set a precedent amongst Catholic universities across the entire U.S.

Although the Catholic Church deems the use of contraceptives sinful, the battle for access has been an ongoing issue among many Catholic universities in the United States. According to a statistic from Catholics for Choice, "98% of Catholics have used some form of birth control in their lives." The Guttmacher Institute broke this statistic down further in 2020, reporting that "Among Catholic women: 25% use sterilization, 15% use long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUDs) and 25% use hormonal methods (like birth control pills).” 

In recent years, DePaul has shifted away from solely Catholic ideology to include and focus more on the important Vincentian mission that all DePaul students carry deeply in their hearts. In a post-Roe world, “what must be done” is supporting access to contraceptives and sexual healthcare and engaging in comprehensive and inclusive sexual education. Banning the distribution of contraceptives strongly goes against that mission, and we hope to bring this awareness to the DePaul board in January. 

Although DePaul offers health measures such as free STI and STD testing, an office dedicated to sexual wellness, and birth control in employee health care policies, this archaic ban on contraceptives actively harms students and poses an additional barrier to healthcare access. What good are reactive measures to STI’s and unplanned pregnancy if there are no proactive measures available in the first place?

In their 2011 Sexual Health Report Card, Trojan Condoms ranked the sexual health of the student body at 140 American universities. DePaul ranked dead last out of 140 universities, moving up to 125 in 2016. Students' sexual health is on the line and with DePaul's new student health insurance plan, we have to make sure contraceptives are accessible to those who need them. We are fortunate to live in a city that offers many opportunities to access contraceptives for free or low-cost, but if the place you are supposed to consider your home treats your desire to have safe sex as something to be ashamed or guilty of, how can you ever consider that home? How can that kind of community truly follow Vincentian values?

We need your signature now to show DePaul that staff, faculty, students, and the community at large will not stand for these unnecessary barriers that make accessing healthcare even more challenging than it already is. We need your support to show DePaul that we stand united in support of our right to sexual healthcare. Like, come on guys, it's just condoms.

For updates on this campaign, more information on DePaul’s condom ban policy, and ways to join the fight, follow @depaul.ppga on Instagram, sign up for more direct action, or join us on DeHUB. Thank you for your support!