Based on a federal court ruling last month, the age to obtain Plan B without a prescription will soon be lowered from 18 to 17 years old. The verdict was reached as the result of a lawsuit against the F.D.A., which stated that the previous policy was formed based on inappropriate concessions to conservative lobbyists in the Bush administration.

The nation’s president has been a staunch proponent of contraceptive use, recently signing an appropriations bill calling for pharmaceutical companies to supply discounted contraceptives to college health clinics, Planned Parenthood offices and family-planning centers throughout the country.

“The recent passing of the affordable birth control legislation is a victory for millions of college students who have struggled to afford the rising costs of basic contraception in these difficult economic times,” stated Robin Gaige, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Southern Finger Lakes, in an e-mail.

The passage of the bill may also help to reduce the high numbers of unplanned pregnancies seen in the U.S.

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI told reporters that condoms exacerbate the spread of the HIV virus. Put another way: Last week, the Catholic Church confirmed, yet again, that it is stubbornly dogmatic, shamefully tone-deaf and far too willing to wield its influence in a grossly irresponsible and socially destructive way.

Even beyond its lamentable misrepresentation of the AIDS issue, the Church’s position on birth control turns a blind eye to a global trend that begs urgent attention: overpopulation. It is an issue that underlies a collection of environmental, economic and international health issues (beyond even the HIV virus), which together represent one of the most serious challenges to the continued prosperity — and, ultimately, to the continued survival — of billions.

At Cornell we don’t take tests, we take preliminary exams, or prelims. While complaints run rampant about such evaluations, they are good preparation for the biggest one — the final. Unfortunately, in terms of sexual health at Cornell, preliminary exams are not as easily accessible.

“Last year, I thought it would be a good idea for my friends and I to get tested,” recalled one female junior, who chose to remain anonymous.

Sexual Health at Cornell