Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) offered free Plan-B and condoms to passersby just a few feet off of Fordham’s Lincoln Center campus on Feb. 19.
This table was part of a larger campaign for reproductive health within the Fordham community. YDSA – a Rose Hill-based group – first vocalized their opposition to Fordham’s policies on reproductive health on their Instagram in Oct. 2024.
The University prohibits the distribution of contraceptives on campus. For YDSA, this is an aspect of a larger public health issue regarding sex education and reproductive awareness on college and university campuses. YDSA co-chair Matthew Smith, Fordham College at Rose Hill ’27, said that their ongoing campaign is important to their group.
“From the beginning, we decided that this would be a priority campaign. This would be one of the pressing issues that we need to take on, and something that we could actually win on,” Smith said.
YDSA made a statement in October with several demands for the University. Their Instagram post regarding this was titled “Statement on the Universities Betrayal of Bodily Autonomy.”
This table was part of a larger campaign for reproductive health within the Fordham community
“Students need access to clear information about contraception, STI prevention, and the services provided by the University to support sexual health,” the post read.
The demands of the petition include allowing the distribution of contraceptives on campus, comprehensive sexual health and women’s healthcare education in freshman orientation, making prescription birth control available to students at the student health center, eliminating barriers to accessing contraceptives and providing condoms to students free of charge at Fordham’s student health center.
The university does make exceptions to this policy, but only for certain cases.
The Fordham Student Handbook states that “University Health Services staff do make limited exceptions in writing appropriate prescriptions for the treatment of an existing medical condition accompanied by supporting documentation. Some examples of medical indications are: acne, irregular periods, heavy periods, cramps, and polycystic ovary syndrome.”
“We, as an organization, are calling on Tania Tetlow, the United Student Government, both at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, and the administration at large Fordham to revoke this policy and actually protect their students.” Matthew Smith, FCRH ’27
YDSA’s position outside of the Columbus Avenue entrance at the Lowenstein Center strategically allowed for Fordham and non-Fordham community members alike to get the contraceptives as they walked by without violating the policy. Despite this, their table still received attention from public safety after a formal report was made against them. Smith said that YDSA was previously contacted by a residential life employee and Public Safety in response to one of their tables at Rose Hill.
“We think it is ridiculous that we’re not allowed to do this on campus. You know, we are students. We’re not allowed to set up and hand out contraceptives on campus?” Smith said.
Smith also said that YDSA is making efforts to call upon various leaders at Fordham to reverse this policy on behalf of students.
“We, as an organization, are calling on Tania Tetlow, the United Student Government, both at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center, and the administration at large Fordham to revoke this policy and actually protect their students,” Smith said.
United Student Government President Fiona Shehu, Fordham College at Lincoln Center ‘26, wrote that she agreed with the importance of YDSA’s campaign.
“USG fully supports initiatives that promote contraception awareness and access. In today’s political climate, ensuring students have autonomy over their sexual health and family planning is more important than ever,” Shehu wrote.
Despite her concurrence, Shehu also wrote that the University’s Jesuit values may make it more difficult to achieve contraceptive access.
“Since our university upholds Catholic values — which we must respect — it has been challenging to gain institutional support for contraceptives like condoms. There have been past discussions with administration (though not necessarily through USG) about potentially providing contraceptives, but progress has been limited,” Shehu wrote.
Smith said that this progress within the University is overdue.
“It’s well past time from Fordham University to change its policies regarding contraceptives … It’s honestly a stain on Fordham’s record that this is even a policy,” Smith said.
Smith said YDSA will host another off-campus table offering contraceptives and condoms. He promoted a form available on their Instagram page through which students can request Plan B and other emergency contraception.
