HSA Sells Condoms in Union

Condoms are now being sold at the candy concession in the freshman Union. Harvard Student Agencies (HSA), managers of the concession, decided to sell the contraceptive device about two weeks ago in response to student requests.

"We're trying to broaden our services to sell all kinds of new things," a highly-placed HSA official said. He acknowledged the profit motive, but insisted there were other considerations in the decision. "Yes, it is to make a fast buck," he said, but added that "we are providing a service, too."

State law prohibits the advertising of contraceptive devices, but at a November 17 freshman council meeting, a representative of HSA requested student help in publicizing the availability of the condoms.

"This guy from HSA came in and announced that condoms were being sold in the Union and asked us to spread the word in our dorms," James B. Witkin '75, a council member, said. "Most of the guys were surprised, but seemed to approve of it, especially since he said they were selling them cheaper than the drug stores were."

Sale to unmarried students is legal only because the condoms are not referred to as contraceptive devices. A freshman who asked for a condom Monday was corrected by the salesgirl. Leaning across the counter, she whispered. "We sell 'disease preventives'."

Margaret S. McKenna '70, assistant to the director of University Health Services and a birth control counsellor, said she wasn't aware of the sale. "Nobody here knew anything about it," she said. "We weren't consulted."

McKenna said she thought students might feel more comfortable buying condoms from fellow students than from drug stores. "People are often embarrassed to go in (drug stores) and ask for them," she said, "especially if they don't know that condoms only come in one size."

The condoms are currently sold only in packages of 12, but the HSA spokesman said individual sale was being considered. He didn't know how many had been sold, but said sale would be discontinued if demand slackened.