Sex is often a common topic of discussion for some students at Dixie State University, especially if you belong to the Students for Choice club.
This young and growing club has accumulated close to 80 members in its first semester of operation. The membership has both males and females who come from various stages of life: some married, some dating and some who are single.
The SCC was created as an attempt to bring support and knowledge for those college students who are sexually active.
“[The club’s mission statement is] to engage students to become empowered in their reproductive health choices and their local government,” said Hannah Milne, a sophomore communication major from Salt Lake City.
In a world where sex has many connotations, the club strives to inform its members and the community with accurate health-based information. That information is distributed through events, guest speakers and each club member, after they have been properly trained by SCC leadership.
Susan Ertel, an associate English professor and faculty adviser for the club, said there is “no morality or judgment” when it comes to the information shared by the club.
The SCC is partnered with Planned Parenthood.
Mattie Larsen, a senior fine arts major from St. George, said Planned Parenthood offers valuable resources to individuals and couples who seek to be in charge of their reproductive health choices.
Planned Parenthood offers services such as pap smears, STD testing for males and females, and low cost health insurance.
Milne said another reason for the creation of the club was to inform students about current legal issues and laws that can have an impact on their reproductive health.
Federal laws, such as the Hyde Amendment, restrict women from getting abortions by prohibiting federal funds unless the mother’s life is at risk by giving birth. Milne said women deserve reproductive justice and should be able to “[practice the] right to abortion.”
“[One goal is to work] within communities to help educate [officials] to make sure they understand that reproductive justice affects everybody,” Ertel said. “It affects anybody who brings children into the world.”
For those who are interested in joining, the club meets twice a month on the first and third Thursday every month. Their meetings take place in the Udvar-Hazy School of Business in room 361 from 7-8 p.m.
