The U.S. Supreme Court expects the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer will affect Mississippians at large, especially college students with high needs for reproductive health care.
Women in their 20s make up the majority of Mississippians seeking abortions in the state, according to the Mississippi Department of Health and the Guttmacher Institute. While it’s unclear what percentage of Mississippi college students in particular seek abortions, The study found The main reasons students stop attending school are pregnancy, family care needs and inadequate access to child care.
That’s why advocates and public health experts say colleges and universities should provide students with comprehensive and inclusive reproductive health care — access that will become even more important if Roy is outlawed.
Mississippi TODAY conducted an investigation into reproductive health care services and sex education resources offered by the state’s eight public colleges by calling the Student Health Center and requesting information from Media Relations. In general, Mississippi’s three largest colleges—the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi—offer more on-campus reproductive health services than smaller schools, which often refer students to nearby examinations at the clinic.
All eight colleges offer free condoms, but only one, Jackson State University, regularly offers students free Plan B emergency contraception by appointment.
This list will be updated.
Alcorn State University Rowan Hall Health Services
More information
Lowman Campus: 601-877-6460
The center does not have an on-campus obstetrics and gynecology unit, but does offer testing and treatment for STDs.
Condoms, provided free of charge, are the only birth control available at the center.
Once a student has received an initial dose of Depo-Provera, a form of birth control in the form of an injection, the center can give a second dose if the student takes it to the center.
The center does not offer emergency contraception like Plan B, but will advise students to look for over-the-counter pills at Walmart in Vicksburg.
Students can take a pregnancy test for free.
this Child Development and Learning Center Available to Alcorn State University employees. Fees are assessed based on income. If Alcorn State offers on-campus child care for students, it didn’t answer Mississippi TODAY’s question.
OW Reily Student Health Services at Delta State University
More information
662-846-4630
Nurse practitioners provide basic services, such as cough medicine prescriptions, but do not provide laboratory tests or blood tests.
The center will advise students seeking Pap smears to go to their local health department.
The center does not offer emergency contraception like Plan B.
Condoms are provided free of charge in the center’s resource room.
The center works with a mobile clinic to provide sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing.
delta states have hosting Sexual Health Symposium.
this Hamilton-White Center for Child Development For students with children under the age of 5. Tuition is $5,928, payable in 10- and 12-month installments.
Jackson State University Student Health Center
More information
601-979-2260
The center offers students a variety of contraceptive options, including pills and Depo-Provera injections, free of charge.
Students can get a free plan B from the center by making an appointment with a nurse practitioner.
Provides free STD testing and treatment, including HIV testing.
Students can take pregnancy tests without an appointment.
Provides referrals to local OB-GYN clinics for students seeking prenatal care if they do not have access to their personal physician.
this Lottie W. Thornton Child Care Center Available to students, teachers, and community members with children ages 3 to 5. Tuition is $375 per month.
Mississippi State University’s longest student health center
More information
662-325-6780
The center offers free sexual health checks for students.
Free condoms are provided in the dormitory, and different forms of free contraception are provided in the center.
The health center offers free pregnancy tests.
Pharmacies offer over-the-counter Plan B for about $30.
this Ministry of Health Promotion and Wellness Offers free STD testing, including free HIV testing.
tuition fee Center for Child Development and Family Studieswhich MSU calls an “experiential children’s research lab,” costs $585 a month for infants and children under 5.
University of Mississippi Women’s Campus Health Center
More information
662- 329-7289
Nurse practitioners do not provide gynecological or urological exams, but they can prescribe contraception.
According to the health center, nurse practitioners can prescribe a Plan B, but they rarely do.
The center provides free condoms.
center Not available Serving pregnant women or children under three years of age.
The center offers a $10 pregnancy test.
this Child and Parent Development Center It can be used by children over one year old until kindergarten. The center’s academic year fee is approximately $6,240, but MUW students qualify for a 10% discount.
Mississippi Valley State University Delta Health Center
More information
662-644-4865
Nurse Practitioners can perform Pap smears, but will refer students seeking more intensive care to OB-GYN in Mound Bayou.
The center can prescribe birth control pills, which students need to pick up at a Walmart or a nearby pharmacy.
If a student carries a Depo-Provera, the center can administer it.
The center does not offer a Plan B, but emergency contraception is occasionally offered for free at campus health fairs.
Condoms are provided free of charge.
Free pregnancy tests are available.
this child development centerOperated by the Delta Health Alliance for students, teachers and community members of children ages 2 to 5. The center is free based on income.
University Health Services at the University of Mississippi
More information
662-915-7274 (students)
662-915-6550 (staff)
Students can participate in annual check-ups, including Pap smears and breast exams, but health services cannot insert IUDs.
The center can prescribe birth control pills, but it is not free.
The center offers a $38 urine pregnancy test and a $40 blood pregnancy test.
Pharmacies sell Plan B for around $30.
this Willie Price Laboratory School For 3 to 5 year olds in “University Affiliated Families”.
Moffett Health Center, University of Southern Mississippi
More information
601-266-5390
Office of Health Promotion discount Provide free sex education training to teachers who request it.
The health center offers free walk-in HIV testing. Other forms of STD testing are not offered for free, but are offered at lower prices that can be charged to insurance companies.
Free condoms available in pharmacy halls and health center wards
this child development center Available for children 8 weeks to 5 years old. Students with children can apply to colleges for financial aid through a U.S. Department of Education award called Child Care Access Means Parents In School.
— Article credits to Molly Minta Mississippi today —
