UNIVERSITY BACKS ACTION ON ‘PILL’

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32563, 24 March 1971, Page 1

UNIVERSITY BACKS ACTION ON ‘PILL’

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, March 23. The University of Otago Council issued a statement today which clarified its position about the availability of contraceptive advice to students at the university, and supported the actions of the Student Health Service.

The statement was issued from the council’s monthly meeting and was the council’s first official reaction to statements made recently by the physician in charge of the university’s Student Health Service (Dr D. U. Strang).

The Vice-Chancellor (Dr R. M. Williams) commented in committee on the statement that when students went to the Student Health Service for advice on sexual problems and contraceptives, under certain circumstances they Were given a prescription which enabled them to purchase oral contraceptives. : The council remained in committee then voted unanimously to issue-the statement to the public. The statement reads: COMMUNITY VIEW "The council affirms that both self respect and a proper concern for. others demand a high degree of selfdiscipline and responsibility in the regulations of -sexual

conduct. It is the view both of Christians and of many others in our community that this responsibility is not compatible with extra-marital sexual relations.

"Nevertheless, the council holds that the final responsibility for moral conduct lies with the individual . and recognises that in the present climate of our society there is a wide variation in the practices which are adopted. The council cannot- ignore the social consequences which follow unwanted pregnancies.”

“COMPLEX SITUATION” The statement said that while acknowledging that unanimity could not be expected on the proper course of action in so complex a situation, even within the council itself, it recorded its confidence that the Student Health Service dealt with the problems responsibly m accordance with the individual problems of the student. It also used practices widely accepted by the medical profession after full discussion of the medical and social implication. It in no way encouraged a permissive attitude. .

In maintaining a confidential professional doctorpatient relationship with the individual student, the Student Health Service was fulfilling the intentions of the council when it established the service, said the statement.