Student Council announced a new pilot program to provide free Plan-B — an emergency contraception — to University students at no cost through the Student Health and Wellness pharmacy Tuesday. Student Council executives additionally expressed their concern regarding the difficulty to reserve rooms on Grounds for Contracted Independent Organization meetings and announced a recent clothing donation to the Cavalier Career Closet.
Saehee Pérez, Student Council chief of cabinet and third-year College student, said during Tuesday’s meeting that SHW is currently piloting a program to provide students access to free Plan-B — which costs between 40 and 50 dollars at commercial pharmacies like CVS and Walmart — in the pharmacy. The pharmacy is located on the first floor of the SHW building on Brandon Avenue.
This pilot program follows an initiative also started by the Student Council cabinet during the 2024-2025 school year to provide University students with free STI testing through SHW. That program officially launched in April and has continued through this semester.
Micah Andrews, Student Council chief of Support and Access Services and third-year College student, also gave an update on SAS initiatives during Tuesday’s meeting. She discussed a large recent donation to the CCC from SWAP U.Va. The CCC launched Aug. 26 and it is housed on the first floor of Newcomb Hall to provide students with business attire at no cost.
SWAP U.Va. is a CIO that holds large clothing swaps throughout the year in which University students can donate their old clothes in order to get a “ticket” to shop at other clothing market events that has students’ donated clothes. SWAP donated two bins of clothes to CCC.
During the general body meeting Sept. 30, first-year College Representative Aliha Buriro specifically expressed a concern about students who either were injured — 19 were hospitalized — or had trouble exiting the field following the field rush at the football game against Florida State University Sept. 26. In Tuesday’s meeting, Clay Dickerson, Student Council president and fourth-year College student, prompted a discussion about how students felt regarding the addition of the walking path to the hill on the football field for student fans.
Dickerson said the walking path was new as of Saturday’s football game against Washington State and was put in place to address the concern that it is difficult to maneuver on and off the hill. Dickerson said he had relayed the message to Dean of Student Affairs Nicole Hall after the Sept. 30 meeting, and both Dickerson and Hall agreed the hill can be steep and difficult to maneuver — regardless of a field rush — which is why the walking path has been put in place.
Dickerson said he was happy the walking path was the solution because it seemed practical and will not substantially affect the area for student fans.
“I let Dean Hall know about folks who [had] minor injuries getting home [from the field rush] and it seems that the solution of creating a walkway addresses [Buriro’s concern],” Dickerson said. “That was cool for [the University] to address that concern … and not go too harsh on it.”
Dickerson additionally collected concerns regarding difficulties CIOs are having when reserving spaces for meetings on Grounds. The University grants CIO directors access to request classroom space to hold meetings on the online program 25Live for their respective student group.
Dickerson said he has heard complaints from arts organizations that it is difficult to reserve space, but he said he wanted input from non-arts CIOs. Imane Akhanous, Student Council chair of the Representative Body and fourth-year College student, said a large problem she has experienced with 25Live is that the University does not approve a requested space until three days before the meeting is meant to take place.
“How [is a CIO going to] program and … put social media out saying, ‘We’re in this room,’ and then you get an email from 25Live saying, ‘Oops, sorry it’s gonna be in this room instead,’” Akhanous said.
Dickerson said he was taking note of these concerns.
Student Council will reconvene Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. for a regularly scheduled general body meeting.
Read More
Civil Discourse Initiative hosts gubernatorial race discussion as election day approaches
By Komal Reddymachu | 5 hours agoThe University Democrats and College Republicans presidents discussed issues prevalent in the upcoming gubernatorial race such as the economy, housing, energy and healthcare during their discussion Monday.
Students weigh University autonomy and Jay Jones’ scandals in attorney general race
By Luca Bailey | 7 hours agoAfter scandals brought forth calls for Jones to drop out, some students say they will no longer vote for him.
Republican Lt. Gov. Candidate John Reid speaks on economy, education and culture war
By Grace Little | 11 hours agoReid spoke on his background as a TV anchor and radio commentator, his goals for Virginia’s economy and prioritization of the “Right to Work” law, private school choice and the current “culture war” in the Commonwealth
