This is the first of many posts on behave of a coalition based at Kent State University in Ohio.  The coalition is lead by a student Health Education Honorary, Eta Sigma Gamma, of which I am President.  Eta Sigma Gamma is dedicated to providing both the campus and community with free quality Health Education.  We are ever mindful of the increasing politicization of public health, therefore, are deeply involved in advocacy.  Our campus coalition advocates for Reproductive Rights, specifically Comprehensive Sexuality Education and equal access to the HPV Vaccine.           

In the first semester of our academic year we established a coalition of seven student groups, two university departments, one local community agency, and gained support from three national organizations.  Tactics including federal and in-district lobbying visits, letter and email writing, petition gathering, and using media lead to two new co-sponsors for the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, which would provide federal funding for Comprehensive Sexuality Education. 

We continue to work toward the passage of the REAL Act, but we now recognize the importance of change here at Kent State University and here in Ohio.  For this reason we are advocating for the HPV vaccine to be covered by Kent State Student Health Insurance and for the HPV vaccine to become a state mandate.  

As progress is made I will continue to update the blog, please provide thoughts, ideas, and feedback.

Thanks,

Colin V. Dean